Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 12, No. 2, 1995, page 59
On the executive level, especially with certain French ministries, where the cults can
“collect” supporters. But cults will also approach certain “liberals” in the name of
nondiscrimination. These efforts are usually done with future favors in mind.
On the judicial level, where in a worst-case scenario, a judge tried to modify the court
proceedings in a case involving the highest persons in the executive. This, however,
was an exception to the general conduct of high-level cases involving cults in the
United States and in Europe.
On the cultural and educational levels, where more and more frequently cults are
seeking to influence children and adolescents, who present to the cults both an
investment in the future and a means of getting parents to join. Cults are avid about
“collecting” celebrities in almost any field for the cults‟ exploitation in gaining popular
support.
The chapter on “Cults and Money” presents a view of the little-acknowledged vast sums of
money collected and invested by these groups. The United States is the top territory in
which such sums are acquired. From there, the money is laundered and used
internationally. Larger cults maintain (secret) accounts in leading world banks. Cults, of
course, do not neglect direct financial exploitation of their members. In France, for example,
there are numerous violations of labor laws and social security regulations: unreported
labor, false pay vouchers, reprehensible contracts, ridiculous charge-backs, fabricated
personal debts of employees, lack of vacation, unauthorized payments to the labor
department, and so on. Another popular method of exploiting members is to have them sell
door to door. Generally they are selling cult-made products at high prices--for example,
cosmetics, health food and medications touted as panaceas, and a variety of items for either
physical or psychological “personal development.” Typically, because of the court‟s
unfamiliarity with the subject, when these fraudulent situations come to court, they are not
handled well.
The book includes a well-rounded discussion of about 30 of the major cults in France.
Perhaps half of them might be unknown to the American reader, yet the majority have
branches elsewhere and have an overall societal impact. For example, Sahaja Yoga is in
Romania, Bulgaria, and Russia, claiming 10,000 members in Moscow. In a chapter on L. Ron
Hubbard, mention is made of his group‟s opposition to information groups such as Interpol.
Also provided are a number of lesser-known front names for major U.S. cults. The book is
recent enough to include mention of the Solar Temple horror in France, Switzerland, and
Canada.
The final section includes a list of some “current errors” in thinking about cults (common
myths and misconceptions), with suggestions for how to respond to them tips for
recognizing and protecting oneself from manipulative groups a discourse on exit counseling
strategies and other valuable information and varying perspectives, including an extensive
biography of related materials in French. The authors present an incisive view of information
and important factors and attitudes. They invite readers to consult CCMM or ADFI
(Association for the Defense of Families and Individuals), both headquartered in Paris.
Kay Schenk
Chicago, Illinois
On the executive level, especially with certain French ministries, where the cults can
“collect” supporters. But cults will also approach certain “liberals” in the name of
nondiscrimination. These efforts are usually done with future favors in mind.
On the judicial level, where in a worst-case scenario, a judge tried to modify the court
proceedings in a case involving the highest persons in the executive. This, however,
was an exception to the general conduct of high-level cases involving cults in the
United States and in Europe.
On the cultural and educational levels, where more and more frequently cults are
seeking to influence children and adolescents, who present to the cults both an
investment in the future and a means of getting parents to join. Cults are avid about
“collecting” celebrities in almost any field for the cults‟ exploitation in gaining popular
support.
The chapter on “Cults and Money” presents a view of the little-acknowledged vast sums of
money collected and invested by these groups. The United States is the top territory in
which such sums are acquired. From there, the money is laundered and used
internationally. Larger cults maintain (secret) accounts in leading world banks. Cults, of
course, do not neglect direct financial exploitation of their members. In France, for example,
there are numerous violations of labor laws and social security regulations: unreported
labor, false pay vouchers, reprehensible contracts, ridiculous charge-backs, fabricated
personal debts of employees, lack of vacation, unauthorized payments to the labor
department, and so on. Another popular method of exploiting members is to have them sell
door to door. Generally they are selling cult-made products at high prices--for example,
cosmetics, health food and medications touted as panaceas, and a variety of items for either
physical or psychological “personal development.” Typically, because of the court‟s
unfamiliarity with the subject, when these fraudulent situations come to court, they are not
handled well.
The book includes a well-rounded discussion of about 30 of the major cults in France.
Perhaps half of them might be unknown to the American reader, yet the majority have
branches elsewhere and have an overall societal impact. For example, Sahaja Yoga is in
Romania, Bulgaria, and Russia, claiming 10,000 members in Moscow. In a chapter on L. Ron
Hubbard, mention is made of his group‟s opposition to information groups such as Interpol.
Also provided are a number of lesser-known front names for major U.S. cults. The book is
recent enough to include mention of the Solar Temple horror in France, Switzerland, and
Canada.
The final section includes a list of some “current errors” in thinking about cults (common
myths and misconceptions), with suggestions for how to respond to them tips for
recognizing and protecting oneself from manipulative groups a discourse on exit counseling
strategies and other valuable information and varying perspectives, including an extensive
biography of related materials in French. The authors present an incisive view of information
and important factors and attitudes. They invite readers to consult CCMM or ADFI
(Association for the Defense of Families and Individuals), both headquartered in Paris.
Kay Schenk
Chicago, Illinois
