International Cultic Studies Association
Encyclopedia
The International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA), formerly the American Family Foundation, describes itself as an "interdisciplinary network of academicians, professionals, former group members, and families who study and educate the public about social-psychological influence and control, authoritarianism, and zealotry in cultic groups, alternative movements, and other environments."
The current executive director is psychologist Michael Langone
. The ICSA currently provides education and assistance regarding groups they identify as cults. It publishes the journal Cultic Studies Review
.
International Affairs Director, whose daughter had become involved with the Unification Church
. Barney wished to address the field professionally and scientifically and so founded AFF as a non-profit tax-exempt organisation for research and education. It was directed by a Board of directors of which Barney was part.
Initially, nearly everybody who contacted AFF for help did so because he/she had a child involved in a group the parent was concerned about. AFF's role was to bring these parents into contact with helping professionals, increasing numbers of whom became interested in and/or involved with AFF as time passed.
The AFF received funding from the Bodman and Achelis Foundations and the Scaife Family Foundation
of Richard Mellon Scaife
. The Scaife Family Foundation has given over a half million dollars to the AFF.
In 1980/81 AFF joined forces with John Gordon Clark
, a Harvard psychiatrist
who had undertaken research in the field of New Religious Movement
s, and his team, to which Michael Langone
belonged.
In 2004, the organization took the name International Cultic Studies Association, "to better reflect the organization's focus and increasingly international and scholarly dimensions".
, Executive Director of the ICSA, states that "A cult
is a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea, or thing, and employing unethically manipulative
techniques of persuasion and control designed to advance the goals of the group’s leader, to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community...Although many cult members eventually walk out on their own, many, if not most, who leave cults on their own are psychologically harmed, often in ways they do not understand. Some cult members never leave, and some of these are severely harmed. There is no way to predict who will leave, who won’t leave, or who will be harmed."
received the award in 2006, for "26 Years of Helping Families and Ex-members".
and Margaret Singer
.
Present notable people on the ICSA Board of Directors
include:
Directors
and David Bromley
describe the ICSA as a "secular anticult" organization. As an example, they critique the checklist prepared by Janja Lalich
and ICSA president Michael Langone
of 15 characteristics which the ICSA describes as an analytical tool for individuals to decide if the situation they or family or friends were in should be of concern, “Concerted efforts at influence and control lie at the core of cultic groups, programs, and relationships. Many members, former members, and supporters of cults are not fully aware of the extent to which members may have been manipulated, exploited, even abused." Cowan and Bromley criticize the checklist on several issues. They point out that the ICSA provides no indication of how many of their so-called characteristics are necessary for a group to be considered "cultic." The checklist creators do not adequately define how much of certain practices or behaviors would constitute "excessive," nor do the checklist creators provide evidence that any of the practices listed are innately harmful. Finally, Cowan and Bromley criticize the ICSA list as being so broad that even mainstream organizations such as Evangelical Protestantism
, the Roman Catholic Church, Buddhism
and Hinduism
fall within the criteria.
The current executive director is psychologist Michael Langone
Michael Langone
Michael D. Langone, is an American counseling psychologist who specialises in research about "cultic groups" and alleged psychological manipulation. He is executive director of the International Cultic Studies Association, editor of the journal Cultic Studies Review.Langone is author and co-author...
. The ICSA currently provides education and assistance regarding groups they identify as cults. It publishes the journal Cultic Studies Review
Cultic Studies Review
International Journal of Cultic Studies is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by the International Cultic Studies Association.- External links :* , Don Lattin, San Francisco Chronicle, Religion Writer, February 13, 2001...
.
Origins
ICSA began in 1979 as the American Family Foundation (AFF). It was founded by Kay Barney, the retired RaytheonRaytheon
Raytheon Company is a major American defense contractor and industrial corporation with core manufacturing concentrations in weapons and military and commercial electronics. It was previously involved in corporate and special-mission aircraft until early 2007...
International Affairs Director, whose daughter had become involved with the Unification Church
Unification Church
The Unification Church is a new religious movement founded by Korean religious leader Sun Myung Moon. In 1954, the Unification Church was formally and legally established in Seoul, South Korea, as The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity . In 1994, Moon gave the church...
. Barney wished to address the field professionally and scientifically and so founded AFF as a non-profit tax-exempt organisation for research and education. It was directed by a Board of directors of which Barney was part.
Initially, nearly everybody who contacted AFF for help did so because he/she had a child involved in a group the parent was concerned about. AFF's role was to bring these parents into contact with helping professionals, increasing numbers of whom became interested in and/or involved with AFF as time passed.
The AFF received funding from the Bodman and Achelis Foundations and the Scaife Family Foundation
Scaife Family Foundation
The Scaife Family Foundation is one of the American Scaife Foundations. The foundation does not award grants to individuals. It concentrates its efforts towards causes focused on families, women, children, and animal welfare. From 1985 to 2001 the organization awarded over $77 million USD to...
of Richard Mellon Scaife
Richard Mellon Scaife
Richard Mellon Scaife is an American newspaper publisher and billionaire. Scaife owns and publishes the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. With $1.2 billion, Scaife, a principal heir to the Mellon banking, oil, and aluminum fortune, is No...
. The Scaife Family Foundation has given over a half million dollars to the AFF.
In 1980/81 AFF joined forces with John Gordon Clark
John Gordon Clark
John 'Jack' Gordon Clark was a Harvard psychiatrist and authority in research on the alleged damaging effects of cults.He was the target of harassment from Scientologists after he testified against them to the Vermont congress in 1976....
, a Harvard psychiatrist
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. All psychiatrists are trained in diagnostic evaluation and in psychotherapy...
who had undertaken research in the field of New Religious Movement
New religious movement
A new religious movement is a religious community or ethical, spiritual, or philosophical group of modern origin, which has a peripheral place within the dominant religious culture. NRMs may be novel in origin or they may be part of a wider religion, such as Christianity, Hinduism or Buddhism, in...
s, and his team, to which Michael Langone
Michael Langone
Michael D. Langone, is an American counseling psychologist who specialises in research about "cultic groups" and alleged psychological manipulation. He is executive director of the International Cultic Studies Association, editor of the journal Cultic Studies Review.Langone is author and co-author...
belonged.
In 2004, the organization took the name International Cultic Studies Association, "to better reflect the organization's focus and increasingly international and scholarly dimensions".
Activities
Michael D. Langone, Ph.D.Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
, Executive Director of the ICSA, states that "A cult
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
is a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea, or thing, and employing unethically manipulative
Psychological manipulation
Psychological manipulation is a type of social influence that aims to change the perception or behavior of others through underhanded, deceptive, or even abusive tactics. By advancing the interests of the manipulator, often at the other's expense, such methods could be considered exploitative,...
techniques of persuasion and control designed to advance the goals of the group’s leader, to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community...Although many cult members eventually walk out on their own, many, if not most, who leave cults on their own are psychologically harmed, often in ways they do not understand. Some cult members never leave, and some of these are severely harmed. There is no way to predict who will leave, who won’t leave, or who will be harmed."
Assistance and education
The ICSA offers assistance and education relating to such groups:- It offers assistance for "those who have been adversely affected by a cultic experience or who seek to help others or who are simply interested in the subject. This assistance includes an information service for families, clergy, students, and professionals.
- It offers "education" on the subject of cults.
- It publishes the online scholarly journal Cultic Studies Review
- It maintains an electronic library on the Internet with information on groups and issues regarding psychological manipulation and abuse. There is also an online archive offering abstracts of all articles of the Cultic Studies Review.
- It conducts annual conferences for professionals and workshops for families, former members and mental health professionals.
John G. Clark Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Cultic Studies
The John G. Clark Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Cultic Studies, is an award created by the American Family Foundation in honor of noted Harvard psychiatrist, John Gordon Clark, M.D.Margaret Singer Award
In 2004, the International Cultic Studies Association created the Margaret Singer Award in her honor. Philip Elberg received the award in 2004 for "his work in advancing the understanding of coercive persuasion and undue influence". Arnold MarkowitzArnold Markowitz
Arnold Markowitz is a Jewish American social worker, psychotherapist, and "cult" critic and researcher. He is the Director of the Cult Hot Line and Clinic of the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services in New York City...
received the award in 2006, for "26 Years of Helping Families and Ex-members".
Executive staff
Notable members of the International Cultic Studies Association include:- Michael D. Langone, Ph.D.Ph.D.A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
, executive director
Board of directors
Some of the previous notable board members of the AFF have included Dr. Louis Jolyon WestLouis Jolyon West
Louis Jolyon West was an American psychiatrist, human rights activist and expert on brainwashing, mind control, torture, substance abuse, post traumatic stress disorder and violence....
and Margaret Singer
Margaret Singer
Dr. Margaret Thaler Singer, was a clinical psychologist and a part-time Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, U.S....
.
Present notable people on the ICSA Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
include:
Directors
- Arthur A. DoleArthur A. DoleArthur A. Dole is a professor of psychology and education, at the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education, Division of Psychology and Education...
, Ph.D. - Carol GiambalvoCarol GiambalvoCarol Giambalvo cofounded reFOCUS, a US support and referral network for former members of cults. She has served as a Thought Reform Consultant since 1984.Giambalvo contributed to the book Recovery from Cults. With Herbert L...
- Lorna GoldbergLorna GoldbergLorna Goldberg is a social worker, certified psychoanalyst, psychotherapist and researcher of cults.Lorna works full time in a private practice as a therapist. Her focus is on children, adolescents and adults who have had exposure to cultic groups...
, M.S.W.
Executive advisory board
Notable members of the Executive Advisory Board of the ICSA include:- Steve EichelSteve EichelSteve K. D. Eichel is a psychologist known primarily for his work on destructive cults, coercive persuasion, mind control, brainwashing, and deprogramming...
, Ph.D.
- William GoldbergBill Goldberg (social worker)Bill Goldberg is a social worker and researcher of cults. He has a private practice and counsels families of alleged cult members. Goldberg also works for the Rockland County, New York Department of Mental Health - he directs three out-patient programs....
, M.S.W.
- Stephen A. KentStephen A. KentStephen A. Kent, is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He researches new and alternative religions, and has published research on several such groups including the Children of God , the Church of Scientology, and newer faiths...
, Ph.D.
Criticism
In their 2009 book, Cults and New Religions: A Brief History, sociologists Douglas CowanDouglas E. Cowan
Douglas E. Cowan is a Canadian academic in religious studies and the sociology of religion and currently holds a teaching position at Renison College, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada...
and David Bromley
David G. Bromley
David G. Bromley is a professor of sociology at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA and the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. He has written extensively about "cults", new religious movements, apostasy, and the anti-cult movement.- Education and career :Bromley received his...
describe the ICSA as a "secular anticult" organization. As an example, they critique the checklist prepared by Janja Lalich
Janja Lalich
Janja Lalich is Professor of Sociology at California State University, Chico, known for her study of the inner workings of cults.She was a member of the radical "Democratic Workers Party" for 11 years, a group she now considers a cult...
and ICSA president Michael Langone
Michael Langone
Michael D. Langone, is an American counseling psychologist who specialises in research about "cultic groups" and alleged psychological manipulation. He is executive director of the International Cultic Studies Association, editor of the journal Cultic Studies Review.Langone is author and co-author...
of 15 characteristics which the ICSA describes as an analytical tool for individuals to decide if the situation they or family or friends were in should be of concern, “Concerted efforts at influence and control lie at the core of cultic groups, programs, and relationships. Many members, former members, and supporters of cults are not fully aware of the extent to which members may have been manipulated, exploited, even abused." Cowan and Bromley criticize the checklist on several issues. They point out that the ICSA provides no indication of how many of their so-called characteristics are necessary for a group to be considered "cultic." The checklist creators do not adequately define how much of certain practices or behaviors would constitute "excessive," nor do the checklist creators provide evidence that any of the practices listed are innately harmful. Finally, Cowan and Bromley criticize the ICSA list as being so broad that even mainstream organizations such as Evangelical Protestantism
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
, the Roman Catholic Church, Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
and Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
fall within the criteria.
External links
- www.icsahome.com International Cultic Studies Association's website: Information about Cults and Psychological Manipulation
- apologeticsindex.org: International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)
- Profile, International Cultic Studies Association, by Michael D. Langone, as featured in Paradigm
Media/Press mention
- Critics and followers of Falun Gong: Adherents find fulfillment, but detractors call movement a cult, Vanessa Hua, San Francisco ChronicleSan Francisco Chroniclethumb|right|upright|The Chronicle Building following the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake|1906 earthquake]] and fireThe San Francisco Chronicle is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, but distributed throughout Northern and Central California,...
, December 18, 2005 - Lakewood conference to explore cults, hate groups: A 25-year-old research and education foundation that studies cultic phenomena is meeting this weekend, By Monte Whaley, Denver Post June 2006
- Defining 'cults' is complex: Polygamists, former members speak out at Denver meetings, Deseret Morning News, Ben Winslow, June 24, 2006
- Combatants in Cult War Attempt Reconciliation: Peacemaking conference is held near Seattle, Don Lattin, Religion Writer, San Francisco ChronicleSan Francisco Chroniclethumb|right|upright|The Chronicle Building following the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake|1906 earthquake]] and fireThe San Francisco Chronicle is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, but distributed throughout Northern and Central California,...
, May 1, 2000