Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 11, No. 1, 1994, Page 37
Movements registered
1979 977
1980 57
1981 297
1982 152
1983 125
1984 122
1985 187
1986 226
1987 212
1988 199
1989 176
1990 157
1991 61
1992 38
_____
Total 2,986
The decline in registration during 1991 and 1992 was not because there were not any NRMs
or because they did not register. This decline was caused by the fact that in February 1992
the SPES Foundation published these numbers for the first time, thereby causing a certain
uneasiness among the members of the Ministry of Cults and Foreign Affairs. From that time
on, they were more restrictive about registrations (Baamonde, 1991b).
To these figures we must add a considerable but not yet fixed number of movements that do
not register with the Ministry of Cults and Foreign Affairs. Concealing their religious content,
these movements, disguised as “civilian associations” or “foundations,” register with the
General Inspector of Justice. Then, we must add another set of movements that register with
the Ministry of Education, under the guise of “centers,” “schools,” or “educational institutions.”
Finally, we must add the movements that do not register anywhere and function more or less
secretly.
Unfortunately, the foreseeable future in this area is a bit discouraging in Argentina at present.
A “Cult Law” project has been submitted to the National Congress. Its Article 7 proposes that
from now on registration be voluntary, allowing those groups not registered to develop their
activities freely,2 with the potential of our losing all record of the cults existing in our country
and any possibility of control. Should this legal ordinance concerning religion be approved,
those who will benefit are essentially those groups that include delinquent acts in their
practices.
The Beginning of Hope: The SPES Foundation
The concern resulting from the increase of the NRMs induced professionals who had been
studying the problem individually to join forces, and at the end of the 1980s this group
created the SPES Foundation (Servicio Para el Esclarecimiento en Sectas, or Organization for
Cult Awareness).
The SPES Foundation is the first institution in Argentina and Latin America whose purpose is
to study the NRM phenomenon from all possible disciplines and points of view, and at the
same time to offer a series of services through its four departments, outlined below.
2 Article 7 of the Cult Law project, put forth by the authorities of the Ministry of Cults and Foreign Affairs, states:
“The churches, communities, and religious beliefs will have legal capacity once they are registered in the
corresponding department ...The registration will be voluntary. Those that do not register will not be stripped of their
right to free association, nor will their members be restricted in their rights recognized under the law.”
Movements registered
1979 977
1980 57
1981 297
1982 152
1983 125
1984 122
1985 187
1986 226
1987 212
1988 199
1989 176
1990 157
1991 61
1992 38
_____
Total 2,986
The decline in registration during 1991 and 1992 was not because there were not any NRMs
or because they did not register. This decline was caused by the fact that in February 1992
the SPES Foundation published these numbers for the first time, thereby causing a certain
uneasiness among the members of the Ministry of Cults and Foreign Affairs. From that time
on, they were more restrictive about registrations (Baamonde, 1991b).
To these figures we must add a considerable but not yet fixed number of movements that do
not register with the Ministry of Cults and Foreign Affairs. Concealing their religious content,
these movements, disguised as “civilian associations” or “foundations,” register with the
General Inspector of Justice. Then, we must add another set of movements that register with
the Ministry of Education, under the guise of “centers,” “schools,” or “educational institutions.”
Finally, we must add the movements that do not register anywhere and function more or less
secretly.
Unfortunately, the foreseeable future in this area is a bit discouraging in Argentina at present.
A “Cult Law” project has been submitted to the National Congress. Its Article 7 proposes that
from now on registration be voluntary, allowing those groups not registered to develop their
activities freely,2 with the potential of our losing all record of the cults existing in our country
and any possibility of control. Should this legal ordinance concerning religion be approved,
those who will benefit are essentially those groups that include delinquent acts in their
practices.
The Beginning of Hope: The SPES Foundation
The concern resulting from the increase of the NRMs induced professionals who had been
studying the problem individually to join forces, and at the end of the 1980s this group
created the SPES Foundation (Servicio Para el Esclarecimiento en Sectas, or Organization for
Cult Awareness).
The SPES Foundation is the first institution in Argentina and Latin America whose purpose is
to study the NRM phenomenon from all possible disciplines and points of view, and at the
same time to offer a series of services through its four departments, outlined below.
2 Article 7 of the Cult Law project, put forth by the authorities of the Ministry of Cults and Foreign Affairs, states:
“The churches, communities, and religious beliefs will have legal capacity once they are registered in the
corresponding department ...The registration will be voluntary. Those that do not register will not be stripped of their
right to free association, nor will their members be restricted in their rights recognized under the law.”
