Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 11, No. 1, 1994, Page 47
FAPES consists of three departments:
Department of Archives, Press, and Research
Archives: This area is in charge of a vast archive on the subject of cults and “personal
rehabilitative” groups in Argentina. It is at the disposal of families and institutions
(schools, universities) that wish to research the cult problem.
Press: Without a doubt the media (newspapers, radios, televisions) are competent
enough to provide information and preventive education about the cult phenomenon.
This department will publish many pamphlets and videos that will clarify this topic.
Lastly, this area will be responsible for the organization of lectures, conferences, and
seminars that will serve to warn society.
Research: This area will be in charge of studying many groups, either on FAPES‟s own
initiative or by request of a family. Also with the support of sociologists, this department
will create “work camps” that will help to provide a genuine understanding of the growth
of cults in the country.
Department of Psychology
Therapeutic Services: This area will give psychological support to all families,
followers, and former followers who request it, and will be in charge of studying the
techniques of thought reform, known popularly as brainwashing.
Parent Groups: With the support and guidance of FAPES members, the relatives who
have experienced the trauma of having a child in a cult will meet to discuss common
issues, exchange information, and collaborate with those who are in the same situation.
Legal Department
A group of lawyers will be in charge of offering legal counseling to families that need it.
Also, they will study the modifications or creations of law that can greatly help control
the sectarian phenomenon.
Acknowledgments
This paper was originally presented at the International Congress, “Totalitarian Groups and
Sectarianism,” held in Barcelona, Spain, April 22-25, 1993. It also is published in Spanish
under the title, “Las „Sectas‟ en América Latina,” in the book Grupos Totalitarios y
Sectarismo, Ponencia del II Congreso Internacional, Asociacion A.I.S., c./Aribau, 226 int.
Bjos., 08006 Barcelona, Spain.
The editor wishes to thank the members of Assessorament y Informació sobre Sectas (AIS)
for organizing the International Congress in Barcelona and for their help in preparing this
article, and the translators, Lia Marise Drechsel and Vicki Suarez.
***********
Alfredo Silletta is a journalist and writer. Since 1984 he has dedicated himself to the study
and research of the cult phenomenon in Argentina and Latin America. He is president of the
Argentinean Foundation for the Study of Cults (Fundacion Argentina para el Estudio de las
Sectas, FAPES). He has published the following books: The Moon Sect: How to Destroy
Democracy (1985) The Cults Invade Argentina (1986) Many Nations of the Faith: Religion,
Cults, and the Electronic Church (1988) You Are the Love of God (1990) Cults: When
Paradise Is Hell (1992).
This article is an electronic version of an article originally published in Cultic Studies Journal, 1994, Volume 11,
Number 1, pages 66-76. Please keep in mind that the pagination of this electronic reprint differs from that of the
bound volume. This fact could affect how you enter bibliographic information in papers that you may write.
FAPES consists of three departments:
Department of Archives, Press, and Research
Archives: This area is in charge of a vast archive on the subject of cults and “personal
rehabilitative” groups in Argentina. It is at the disposal of families and institutions
(schools, universities) that wish to research the cult problem.
Press: Without a doubt the media (newspapers, radios, televisions) are competent
enough to provide information and preventive education about the cult phenomenon.
This department will publish many pamphlets and videos that will clarify this topic.
Lastly, this area will be responsible for the organization of lectures, conferences, and
seminars that will serve to warn society.
Research: This area will be in charge of studying many groups, either on FAPES‟s own
initiative or by request of a family. Also with the support of sociologists, this department
will create “work camps” that will help to provide a genuine understanding of the growth
of cults in the country.
Department of Psychology
Therapeutic Services: This area will give psychological support to all families,
followers, and former followers who request it, and will be in charge of studying the
techniques of thought reform, known popularly as brainwashing.
Parent Groups: With the support and guidance of FAPES members, the relatives who
have experienced the trauma of having a child in a cult will meet to discuss common
issues, exchange information, and collaborate with those who are in the same situation.
Legal Department
A group of lawyers will be in charge of offering legal counseling to families that need it.
Also, they will study the modifications or creations of law that can greatly help control
the sectarian phenomenon.
Acknowledgments
This paper was originally presented at the International Congress, “Totalitarian Groups and
Sectarianism,” held in Barcelona, Spain, April 22-25, 1993. It also is published in Spanish
under the title, “Las „Sectas‟ en América Latina,” in the book Grupos Totalitarios y
Sectarismo, Ponencia del II Congreso Internacional, Asociacion A.I.S., c./Aribau, 226 int.
Bjos., 08006 Barcelona, Spain.
The editor wishes to thank the members of Assessorament y Informació sobre Sectas (AIS)
for organizing the International Congress in Barcelona and for their help in preparing this
article, and the translators, Lia Marise Drechsel and Vicki Suarez.
***********
Alfredo Silletta is a journalist and writer. Since 1984 he has dedicated himself to the study
and research of the cult phenomenon in Argentina and Latin America. He is president of the
Argentinean Foundation for the Study of Cults (Fundacion Argentina para el Estudio de las
Sectas, FAPES). He has published the following books: The Moon Sect: How to Destroy
Democracy (1985) The Cults Invade Argentina (1986) Many Nations of the Faith: Religion,
Cults, and the Electronic Church (1988) You Are the Love of God (1990) Cults: When
Paradise Is Hell (1992).
This article is an electronic version of an article originally published in Cultic Studies Journal, 1994, Volume 11,
Number 1, pages 66-76. Please keep in mind that the pagination of this electronic reprint differs from that of the
bound volume. This fact could affect how you enter bibliographic information in papers that you may write.
