Links
SAR provides a wide variety of links reflecting diverse perspectives for informational purposes only. Site descriptions are quoted or excerpted from the sites whenever possible. Views expressed on sites to which SAR has a link are those of the site's author(s) and are not necessarily shared, endorsed, or recommended by SAR or any of its directors, staff, or advisers. SAR encourages readers to examine different points of view and talk to different experts before making an important decision.
Atención e Investigación en Socioadicciones (AIS), is a mental health organization in Spain that provides information, advice and therapeutic activity on cults and behavioral adicctions. AIS at present, is recognized as a public health service at Catalonia. One of our main therapeutic priorities has been oriented towards providing assistance in cases related to cult groups, although we also treat cases related to unethical situations of intense interpersonal influences in "groups of two" (situations of one-way personal manipulation without the existence of a group). Facebook Twitter Youtube
Atención e Investigación en Socioadicciones (AIS), es una organización de salud mental en España que proporciona información, consejo y actividad terapéutica a personas afectadas por grupos de manipulación o sectas y por adicciones comportamentales. Actualmente, AIS está reconocida y presta servicio público en Cataluña, España. Nuestras principales prioridades terapéuticas son: proporcionar asistencia en casos relacionados con grupos de manipulación o sectas, tratar casos de situaciones no éticas de influencia interpersonal en “grupos de dos” (situaciones de manipulación unipersonal sin las existencia de un grupo) y tratar a personas afectadas por otras adicciones conductuales.
Thomas Plante, PhD, ABPP, Department of Psychology, Santa Clara University. I have edited several books on this topic (e.g., Bless Me Father For I Have Sinned: Perspectives on Sexual Abuse Committed by Roman Catholic Priests as well as Sin Against the Innocents: Sexual Abuse by Priests and the Role of the Catholic Church), have published several professional research studies about priest sex offenders in academic journals, have evaluated about 60 priests or brothers accused of sexually abusing minors, and have consulted with a variety of religious orders and dioceses about this and related problems. I have also evaluated and treated many of the victims. It troubles me that misinformation about this problem still exists. The purpose of this brief article is to try to set the record straight given the best available data and update an article I published on this web site in 2002.
One of the largest investigations ever conducted to assess associations between childhood maltreatment and later-life health and well-being. The study is a collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser Permanente's Health Appraisal Clinic in San Diego.
APA PsycNET® Direct: 24-hour database access and single item access options give you immediate access to the research content you need.
Division 36: Psychology of Religion and Spirituality [research]
The Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit is based at Goldsmiths, University of London, and is part of the Department of Psychology. The research unit was established by Professor Chris French in 2000 to provide a focus for research activity in the area of Anomalistic Psychology. In general terms, Anomalistic Psychology attempts to explain paranormal and related beliefs, and ostensibly paranormal experiences in terms of known or knowable psychological and physical factors. Read our introduction to Anomalistic Psychology for an overview of the field. [research]
The Apologetics Index 'family of web sites' provides 47,830+ pages of research resources on religious cults, sects, new religious movements, and alternative religions. Also included: information about apologetics-, anticult-, and countercult organizations, as well as entries on doctrines, religious practices and world views. These resources reflect a variety of theological and/or sociological perspectives.
La Asociación Iberoamericana para la Investigación del Abuso Psicológico (AIIAP) es una asociación profesional especializada en relaciones sectarias, sectas destructivas y otras dinámicas de abuso psicológico.
The Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) strives to democratize access to the best data on religion. Founded as the American Religion Data Archive in 1997 and going online in 1998, the initial archive was targeted at researchers interested in American religion. The targeted audience and the data collection have both greatly expanded since 1998, now including American and international collections and developing features for educators, journalists, religious congregations, and researchers. Data included in the ARDA are submitted by the foremost religion scholars and research centers in the world. Currently housed in the Social Science Research Institute, the College of Liberal Arts, and the Department of Sociology at the Pennsylvania State University, the ARDA is funded by the Lilly Endowment, the John Templeton Foundation, Chapman University and the Pennsylvania State University.
The mission of the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is to protect and advance the rights of adults and children who have mental disabilities. The Bazelon Center envisions an America where people who have mental illnesses or developmental disabilities exercise their own life choices and have access to the resources that enable them to participate fully in their communities.[legal]
Becoming Free provides professionally facilitated support/recovery groups that offer psycho-social education in the context of safe relational support. These groups are for adults who have suffered previous involvement in abusive/harmful religious or spiritual environments. Additionally, a friends and family one day educational seminar will now be offered November 5, 2016. This seminar is for friends and family that have loved ones involved in religiously abusive environments or who have just recently exited.
The Berkman Center at Harvard University was founded to explore cyberspace, share in its study, and help pioneer its development. The Center investigates the real and possible boundaries in cyberspace between open and closed systems of code, of commerce, of governance, and of education, and the relationship of law to each. Its faculty, fellows, students, and affiliates engage with a wide spectrum of Net issues, including governance, privacy, intellectual property, antitrust, content control, and electronic commerce. As part of Its active research mission, the Center builds, uses, and freely shares open software platforms for free online lectures and discussions and sponsors gatherings, ranging from informal lunches to international conferences. [legal]
Cheetah House is a community invested in the recovery from, and reduction of, adversities resulting from meditation practices. Most of us have experienced them and know firsthand how difficult it can be to find expertise, community, or basic validation. We are working to change that!
The mission of Children’s Healthcare Is a Legal Duty is to end child abuse or neglect related to religion, cultural practices, or quackery through public education, research, legal action, and a limited amount of lobbying.
CTA is a not-for-profit organization based in Houston, Texas working to improve the lives of high-risk children through direct service, research and education. We recognize the crucial importance of childhood experience in shaping the health of the individual, and ultimately, society. By creating biologically-informed child and family respectful practice, programs and policy, CTA seeks to help maltreated and traumatized children. [research]
Chilling Effects aims to help you understand the protections that the First Amendment and intellectual property laws give to your online activities. The site is a joint project of the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Harvard, Stanford, Berkeley, University of San Francisco, University of Maine, George Washington School of Law, and Santa Clara University School of Law clinics. [legal, topic human rights]
This website explores the issues of people who have experienced spiritual abuse in their local churches and how they have, over time, recovered. Every year dedicated Christian people leave churches because of spiritual abuse. What factors contribute to dedicated and active believers in Christ leaving their churches and becoming exiting statistics? The spiritual abuse stories of people who have left their home church because of a negative and hurtful experience paint a picture of a widespread occurrence, which beckons consideration by church leaders and church congregants alike. This site also explores Biblical gender equality.
A member-driven advocacy organization, led and driven by those with direct experience in residential care and our allies. We promote and secure the human rights of youth in or at risk of residential placement.
The Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) is an independent think tank whose work aims to challenge threats to international and communal peace, from polarisation and radicalisation through to defence and security challenges. It does this through a range of policy, research, educational and cultural programmes which include the facilitation of inter-governmental and expert task forces, cross-border action networks, major applied research projects, high-level briefings, and a scholarship and leadership scheme run with the University of Oxford to nurture the next generation of leaders across Europe’s wider neighbourhood. ISD is also involved in incubating a range of initiatives that are seeded as independent organisations helping to deliver its mission in practice. The Institute works extensively across Europe, North America, the Middle East and China.
CAIC is concerned about people who are ensnared in totalitarian groups. CAIC warns the public about cults, their deceitful recruiting techniques, the imprisoning of member's minds though fear and phobia indoctrination and the isolation of members from those outside the group either physically or psychologically. CAIC works together with others who are as concerned as we are. Founder, the late Jan Groenveld, had been involved in liberating people from cults since 1980. This web site is from her work.
Colleen Russell, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Group Psychotherapist, has over 20 years of experience in a general private practice working with individuals, couples, families, and groups in Marin County, San Francisco Bay Area. She specializes in high-demand group or cult education and recovery and was also a former member as a young adult. Her other specialties include trauma, loss and grief, and motherless daughters. She has presented at conferences and written articles for the International Cultic Studies Association, Northern California Group Psychotherapy Society, among other organizations. She has facilitated workshops for former members, family members of someone involved, and Second Generation Adults (SGAs), those raised in cults. Since 2003 she has developed and facilitated a Group for Former Members in which participants address and explore issues relevant to their lives, gain acknowledgement, express differences and commonalities, and learn how others have navigated through challenging situations. The group offers opportunities for healing from loss and trauma while moving forward in one’s life. Group For Former Members of High Demand Groups or Cults, Including SGAs
The Cult Education Institute (CEI) is an educational nonprofit, which offers the general public an online library about controversial groups and movements, some that have been called "cults." The CEI archives, which was first launched in 1996, has recently been redeveloped into a more modern information database. CEI is a member of both the American and New Jersey Library Associations. Together with Cult News.com and the Cult News Network the related CEI websites offer the public an interactive educational resource. The Cult News Network Cult News
CIFS is an Australian support and information network. CIFS was initially formed by parents and family members of loved ones caught up in abusive groups. The network has grown to include families, friends, former members and concerned individuals working together towards a common goal, to provide support and develop awareness for those affected by high demand groups or cultic relationships.
CIC is a charity providing advice and information for victims of cults, their families and friends, researchers and the media. CIC was founded in 1987 and became a registered charity (No. 1012914) in 1992. It was the first charitable organisation, established in the United Kingdom, focusing critical concern on the harmful methods of the cults.
Cult Information Service, Inc. is a tax-exempt, non-profit, educational, self-help organization. It is made up entirely of volunteers and dedicated to: (1) educating the public about the danger and harmful effects of mind control used by destructive cults; (2) providing support and referral to victims and those affected by destructive cults; and (3) providing information for professionals and people interested in researching destructive cults and cultic behavior. It is important to note that the Cult Information Service limits its concerns about destructive groups to unethical or illegal practices. It does not pass judgment on doctrine or beliefs.
Offers resources designed to help thoughtful families and friends understand and respond to the complexity of a loved one’s cult involvement.However, because each case should be assessed individually, we can more effectively advise you on what resources to concentrate on, if we know a bit about your situation. Site of Joseph Kelly/Patrick Ryan.
News, links and resources about cults, cultic groups, abusive relationships, movements, religions, political organizations, medical and related topics. We provide information from many points of view - our intent is to encourage understanding of the complexity of group involvement. We encourage readers to consider a variety of opinions, so that inquirers can make independent and informed judgments pertinent to their particular concerns. Provided by Joseph Kelly/Patrick Ryan. CultNews101 is available: Facebook Twitter Via email: to subscribe, send an email to pryan19147@gmail.com
Bibliography, with emphasis on sociology, compiled by Rob Naninga. Mainly material from before 2000. However, this is quite an extensive listing.116 Online Texts About Cults and NRMs [research]
Hope for those who have lost their way because of spiritual or cultic abuse. Doug and Wendy Duncan, who run a support group in the Dallas area.
The DialogCentre UK offers information, understanding and help about high-demand religious or political groups and the effects of involvement with them. Whether you want information about your own or someone else's group, feel you need expert help, or just want to tell someone your story, contact us. Our contact details are on the bottom of this page.
How do you recognize you’re in an abusive relationship and reach out to others for help? Almost 30% of couples report that they are struggling with some sort of abuse or domestic violence, but the issue is often denied, excused, or overlooked by the victim. This is particularly true if the abuse is psychological rather than physical. The first step towards getting help is to notice and acknowledge it, rather than avoid it. You should not have to live in fear of the person you love. Look for the following red flags and, if they’re present in your relationship, reach out to somebody. Remember – there is always help available for you.
ESAMA is dedicated to providing information, education and awareness about cultic, high demand groups and to supporting ex-members and their families through recovery. Our vision is to be a leading resource in Alberta for anyone who wants information or has been affected by mind control through cultic/high demand groups and to develop strong relationships with professionals across Canada and on an international scale.
Miguel Perlado. Bienvenido al espacio de EducaSectas, donde se recogen noticias de actualidad acerca de diversos movimientos. Los grupos que aparecen en este espacio han sido incluidos en la medida en que han sido calificados de “sectas” o bien por mostrar “comportamientos sectarios”. No obstante, no todos los grupos que se califican como “sectas” son necesariamente dañinos; de hecho, alguno de estos grupos podría ser considerado más o menos benigno y no ser más que grupos muy centrados en una persona, idea u objeto. Le recomendamos que consulte diversos artículos a su disposición en la página de la Asociación para la Investigación del Abuso Psicológico (AIIAP). HemeroSectasEducaSectas YouTube EducaSectas Facebook EducaSectas Twitter
The Electronic Frontier Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization defending civil liberties in the digital world. Founded in 1990, EFF champions user privacy, free expression, and innovation through impact litigation, policy analysis, grassroots activism, and technology development. We work to ensure that rights and freedoms are enhanced and protected as our use of technology grows. [legal]
Are you or a loved one struggling with this group? Do you need Biblical answers about the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCoG or CoGWMS), their founder Ahnsahnghong (Ahn Sahng/Sang-Hong) or their current leader "Mother Jerusalem" (a.k.a. "Heavenly Mother God," Zang/Zahng Gil-Jah, or Chung Gil Cha)? Thank you for coming here. I hope my blog helps you. Questions and comments are always welcome.
EnCourage was set up in order to offer support to those who have left a cult, abusive group, one on one cult or been spiritually abused (called former members). This includes first generation (joined or recruited) and second/third generation (born and or raised). Whilst EnCourage has a wide range of aims (set out on this page) we are only able to offer one service at this time (when funds allow) which is to subsidise counselling for those who cannot afford to pay. Counselling can be subsidised if the former member is seeing an already approved Service Provider (ASP). This ASP will have been approved by EnCourage and thoroughly checked (counselling accreditation a requirement).
Information and help on cults and the occult. Unlike contemporary magazines that promote new-ageism, neo-advaita or non-dualism, this magazine sets out to shine a light on the negative impact of teachers and teachings within those movements.
Exit is a project within the non-profit organization Fryshuset. Our aim is to help and provide support to those who wish to leave a nationalistic/racist/nazi oriented groups and movements. We provide hands-on support for persons wanting to leave a neo nazi or racist environment by cooperating with various housing corporations, the police, social services, legal system and also with the client’s own family and friends.
Help and Hope for Survivors of Worldwide Church of God, Philadelphia Church of God, Restored Church of God, and All Offshoots
FACE’s mission is to drive focused cultural change among Muslims that leads to transparent survivor-centered community safety and leader accountability, outside the criminal legal system, for those who abuse their positions of trust and authority.
First Amendment Project is a nonprofit organization providing free and low-cost legal services on public interest free speech and free press matters. FAP provides these services to its core constituency of activists, journalists and artists who seek to vindicate important First Amendment rights, but do not have the financial resources to hire private counsel. FAP represents these clients by defending them when they are sued for what they say or write, by contesting governmental non-compliance with open records and meetings laws and in challenging laws, practices and policies that infringe on First Amendment rights. FAP is the only nonprofit organization in the country dedicated to providing free legal representation exclusively on free speech and free press issues. [legal]
An education and support group for people who are, or were, involved in cults or high demand groups. Free Minds UK is based in London, UK. It also provides individual education and support for cult recovery.
The Freedom of Mind Resource Center, Inc. offers counseling, consulting, and coaching services along with information for those seeking help for themselves or a loved one concerning controlling people, cults, beliefs, and estrangement. We do a wide range of undue influence situations: estrangements, parental alienation, second generation, cults, and use the Strategic Interaction Approach created and developed by veteran Steven Hassan and explicated in Combatting Cult Mind Control and Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults and Beliefs. It is important to stay strong, involved, and to know that "love is stronger than mind control.”
Futuristguy is a blog exploring a broad range of topics including spiritual abuse, deconstruction of unhealthy/destructive ministries, reconstruction of church ministries, healthy versus toxic paradigms, and culture and social systems among other topics.
Hartford Seminary's Hartford Institute for Religion Research has a thirty-four year record of rigorous, policy-relevant research, anticipation of emerging issues and commitment to the creative dissemination of learning. This record has earned the Institute an international reputation as an important bridge between the scholarly community and the practice of faith. Resources include an online Encyclopedia of Religion and Society. [research]
The goal of this site is to bring awareness and solutions for spiritual abuse and bad church experiences.
Gillie Jenkinson specialises in offering Post Cult Counselling to former members of abusive groups, high demand groups, cults, one-on-one cults or relationships and spiritual abuse. The company is named after the area in which it operates - the Hope Valley - which is a beautiful part of England called the Derbyshire Peak District, and is a National Park and an area of outstanding natural beauty. Post Cult Counselling is a flexible approach to counselling former cult members and survivors of spiritual abuse which may include clients coming and staying locally and spending time with Gillie Jenkinson in psycho-educational/relational counselling. Email: info@hopevalleycounselling.com
ICSA Today (IT) serves members of the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) by providing information that enhances understanding of all aspects of the cult phenomenon, including how groups function, how they affect members, techniques of influence, dealing with harmful effects, educational and legal implications, and other subjects.
Info-Cult is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1980 based in Montreal (Quebec, Canada) that offers help and information about cults, new religious movements and related groups and subjects. Legal and Government Reports
Info-Secte est un organisme sans but lucratif de bienfaisance fondé en 1980 situé à Montréal (Québec, Canada) qui offre de l'aide et de l'information sur les sectes, les nouveaux mouvements religieux et les groupes ou sujets connexes. [legal; research]
Inform (Information Network on Religious Movements) is an independent charity, based at the London School of Economics and supported by the British government and mainstream churches. Its objective is to provide information that is as reliable and up-to-date as possible about minority religions, including new religious movements (‘NRMs’), spiritual, esoteric and/or other ‘sectarian’ or ‘cultic’ movements.
In Shaykh's Clothing is a resource website for spiritual abuse in the Muslim community. The site includes an introduction to spiritual abuse, accounts of spiritual abuse, a section on narcissism, and a blog.
This website includes a Code of Conduct of Islamic Leadership, "the most comprehensive ethical guide for Muslim institutions."
Published in cooperation with The International Society for the Study of New Religions (ISSNR), the journal was founded in 2010. International Journal for the Study of New Religions considers submissions from both established scholars and research students from all over the world. Articles should be written for a general scholarly audience. All articles are refereed. [research]
The International Journal of Cultic Studies (IJCS) is published by the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA). IJCS is a refereed annual journal that publishes scholarly research on cultic phenomena across a range of disciplines and professions with a view of making research results available to researchers, practitioners, and policy makers across the world. IJCSseeks to advance the understanding of cultic phenomena in their relationship to individuals, families, and society, notably in their psychological, social, legal, educational, religious, and cultural dimensions.
Offers resources designed to help thoughtful families and friends understand and respond to the complexity of a loved one’s cult involvement.However, because each case should be assessed individually, we can more effectively advise you on what resources to concentrate on, if we know a bit about your situation. Site of Joseph Kelly/Patrick Ryan.
Award winning filmmaker, Ondi Timoner, follows four families as they leave an abusive church in South Carolina and realize they have been in a cult. The film documents them as they enter Wellspring, the only accredited, live-in cult treatment facility in the world, where they learn the true extent of the brainwashing they have all experienced. Eventually they return home to bring the Pastor and his wife to justice, and to try to begin to rebuild their damaged lives.
An international peer reviewed journal. Its purpose is to both document and evaluate the anthropological, sociological, psychological, and philosophical aspects of emerging manifestations of religiosity in any part of the world—whether within innovative movements or mainstream institutions. [research]
MeadowHaven exists to provide a refuge for former members of high control, destructive groups to rest, heal, and grow. By understanding their experience in an abusive environment and acquiring the skills necessary for life outside the group, MeadowHaven helps former members recover their ability to be thriving contributors to society. Healing is fostered in the context of healthy community, relationships with other former members with similar experiences, and a supportive staff who understand the processes of thought reform, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), identity confusion, chronic emotional disturbance, etc The New England Institute of Religious Research was founded in 1991 as a mission outreach to provide churches, secular organizations and concerned individuals with up-to-date research on cultic structures. The Institute also provides training for people who work with those caught up by such destructive groups. We personally meet with the members of various groups to discuss Behavioral/Biblical/Theological issues with them. Another important dimension of Institute ministry is to provide an emotionally and spiritually healing environment for ex-members. We offer information, resources, support groups and counseling to those who have a loved one involved in any type of spiritually abusive group. New England Institute of Religious Research
With over 15,000 articles, news items, blog postings and videos, and over 5 million annual visitor sessions, Mediate.com is the world’s leading mediation web site. Mediate.com serves as a bridge between professionals offering mediation services and people needing mediation services.
The National Association for Christian Recovery is a not-for-profit religious organization whose passion is the cultivation and growth of recovery communities within or in partnership with Christian churches. We believe that part of the Good News that Christ brought to us was the realization that we can all bring our “problems of self” into the community of Christ and that his grace extends to our hidden wounds as well as our faith.
No matter what problems you are dealing with, we want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.
NJ Safe & Sound is a volunteer organization whose mission is to educate the public about predatory alienation and to promote laws to protect families from such destructive manipulation. Visitors to the site can review a draft bill to provide a civil cause of action for the malicious disruption of the parent-child relationship, sign a petition for its passing, and fill out a questionnaire about their own experience with a ruptured relationship. They also will find answers to FAQs, expert interviews, and sample letters they can use to encourage legislators to address malicious undue influence. More information is available at facebook.com/njsafeandsound.
Nova Religio presents scholarly interpretations and examinations of emergent and alternative religious movements. [research]
Division of Religion and Philosophy, University of Cumbria [research]
Disseminate accurate religious information. Expose religious fraud, hatred, and misinformation. Disseminate information. Promote religious tolerance. [research]
Explores spiritual abuse and toxic faith
Esther Harris, a young woman praised for her virtue and devotion, believes she has landed the opportunity of a lifetime. When her fundamentalist Christian sect falls on hard times, Esther finds a job at a local health food store to supplement the group’s faltering income. At the store, Esther shares her devotion to the group with her new manager, Gabriel, a devout skeptic and preacher’s kid. The friendship with Gabriel helps Esther re-examine her human worth and reframe her faith in a whole new light.
Pokrov.org is a resource for survivors of abuse in the Eastern Rite churches, both Orthodox and Catholic. We are NOT affiliated with any church, nor is this site “blessed” by any hierarch. Pokrov.org is proud to be under the umbrella of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
Maintained by Michael Nielsen, Department of Psychology, Georgia Southern University. [research]
Leona Furnari, LCSW, is a psychotherapist specializing in assisting individuals and families in recovery from highly controlling, manipulative and/or abusive groups, cults, or 1:1 relationships. I work with those who entered destructive groups as adults, as well as those who were born or raised into these groups or relationships. I provide a supportive, safe, therapeutic environment to help former members understand what happened to them, explore the short-term and longer-term impacts, and learn to develop strengths and skills to move forward in life in a self-affirming manner. I also am a certified EMDR (eye movement desensitization & reprocessing) therapist and consultant.
Comprehensive help for anyone affected by destructive cults: Survivors, loved ones and professionals; easily accessible information on psychological manipulation and cultic abuse; up to date announcements on meetings, conferences and workshops; solid advice on where to find safe support and reliable resources in the cult recovery field; detailed explanation of Rosanne Henry’s background, experience, and approach to cult recovery.
Quackwatch is now an international network of people who are concerned about health-related frauds, myths, fads, fallacies, and misconduct. Its primary focus is on quackery-related information that is difficult or impossible to get elsewhere. To help visitors with special areas of interest, Dr. Barrett maintains 24 additional sites for autism, chiropractic, dentistry, multilevel marketing, and many other hot topics. Our Internet Health Pilot site provides links to hundreds of reliable health sites. Our Casewatch site contains a large library of legal cases, licensing board actions, government sanctions, and regulatory actions against questionable medical products. We are also affiliated with Bioethics Watch, which highlights issues of questionable research on humans. [research]
Quiet Horizon is a blog about the damaging impact of ideological thinking and an exploration of its alternative: the pursuit of self-knowledge in non-dogmatic ways. Among the questions explored are: How can a person live a meaningful and spiritual life unencumbered by ideology? How best can a person learn to trust his own inner compass for ultimate guidance rather than the prescriptions put forward by ideological organizations, both religious and secular?Greg Jemsek (author of "Quiet Horizon") works as a narrative therapist, a leadership consultant, and an educator in both Australia and the United States.
Recovering Grace is an online organization devoted to helping people whose lives have been impacted by the teachings of Bill Gothard, the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), and the Advanced Training Institute (ATI). Recovering Grace provides a unique perspective in that it was founded and is operated by adults (and their spouses) who were raised as children in Bill Gothard’s Advanced Training Institute. We all have attended Bill Gothard’s seminars, and most of us served within the IBLP organization in some form or fashion. Among the members of our team are pastors, lawyers, teachers, accountants, businessmen, and stay-at-home moms. We have all taken different journeys, but we all have one thing in common: We survived ATI. (For more about who and what Bill Gothard, IBLP, and ATI is, visit our FAQ section).
This website explores the issues of people who have experienced spiritual abuse in their local churches and how they have, over time, recovered.
Esta página ha sido creada con el propósito de ofrecer una herramienta de ayuda alterna a víctimas intimidadas, perseguidas y/o amenazadas por grupos sectarios. Pretendemos ayudar a satisfacer las necesidades emocionales y a fortalecer emocionalmente con nuestro apoyo a víctimas de sectas o cultos destructivos.
reFOCUS is a secular, non-profit tax-exempt organization which provides a network of support and referrals for individuals recovering from the effects of a destructive cult, or other closed, high-demand group or relationship. reFOCUS list of support groups.
Blog written by John Huddle exploring World of Faith Fellowship, harmful groups, and resources for those who have been involved in such groups.
For more than 40 years, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has provided free legal advice, resources, support and advocacy to protect the First Amendment and Freedom of Information rights of journalists working in areas where U.S. law applies, regardless of the medium in which their work appears. In particular, see the First Amendment Handbook. Also, see libel articles in The News Media and the Law, Summer 2011 [legal, topic human rights]
“An essay by a psychotherapist on cultic and fundamentalist groups, orthodox vs. heterodox beliefs, and religious abuse with links to other articles and resources for those affected by restrictive religious groups.”
RETIRN is a private practice of psychologists and clinical social workers which specializes in providing services to individuals and families harmed by coercive social/religious movements ("cults") and other abusive relationships. It has offices in the USA (Delaware and Lansdowne) and the UK (Pontypridd, Wales and Buxton, England). Counseling/psychotherapy, forensic (legal) consultation and expert testimony, and information and referral services are among the services offered by RETIRN. Please feel free to email Dr Steve Eichel at steve@dreichel.com, Dr Linda Dubrow-Marshall at LJDMarshall@aol.com, Professor Rod Dubrow-Marshall at rpdmarshall@gmail.com), and/or Roberta Eisenberg at robertaeisenberg@comcast.net.
REVEAL is an organization of former members of the International Churches of Christ and its predecessor religious movements, the "Boston Movement", or Boston Church of Christ, and the "Crossroads Movement", or Crossroads Church of Christ. We also work with family members and friends of ICC members, although (at least at present) we are all former members ourselves. Our purpose is to bring the ICC into the light of day -- to provide accurate, detailed and complete information about its beliefs and practices. By providing this information, we hope to give people the tools they need to assess the ICC and their involvement in it.
This Australian commission's website has links to many useful research reports, including: Analysis of claims of child sexual abuse made with respect to Catholic Church institutions; Safe and sound: Exploring the safety of young people in residential care; Principles of trauma-informed approaches to child sexual abuse: A discussion paper.
The Safe Passage Foundation provides resources, support and advocacy for people raised in restrictive, isolated or high-demand communities, colloquially referred to as "cults."
A stage drama for family audiences. Suitable for youth theatre. Two guys. One rusted out Honda. Twenty-four hours to separate a girl from her guru. The road to Hell was never more fun. When his hip older sister Denise disappears with members of a fundamentalist church, 17-year-old Cliff Kozak struggles to hold it all together, pretending that he isn’t hurt by her decision to cut him out of her life. But a year later, a chance sighting of Denise at a New Jersey strip mall leads Cliff and his best buddy Duffy on a road trip into the heart of a deepening mystery. Why would a smart and talented girl like Denise fall for the hollow promises of a sleazy preacher? Could it be that blind faith is just another term for a desperate need to belong?
We provide faithful Catholics with guided, customized programs designed to remove psychological obstacles to giving and receiving love from God and neighbor.
This website and blog is being created based upon several years of academic research on the topic of spiritual abuse and the development of The Spiritual Abuse Assessment.
We cover spiritual abuse in Bible based churches and have a secondary focus on the United Pentecostal Church.
Well, if you have experienced spiritual abuse, you know result. We hope the resources at this web site will be helpful to you. The damage that has been done is not irreversible. It is possible to feel safe again. It is possible to learn to rest again. It is possible to regain that sense of blessing you once had when you first realized that God's stance towards you, God's 'yes', was not based on your performance, but rather on God's very own performance, that of Jesus, signed, sealed, finished, available in gift-form only. -Jeff VanVonderen
Blog: The name “sounding board” resonated with me for many reasons. Although I do share some of my personal experiences on this blog, I didn’t want this blog to be about me, but to be a place where others can join in and learn from our shared experiences. We can use each other as sounding boards here. Read the definition. “Sounding board” is especially meaningful to me because I am a musician.
Part of the Royal College of Psychiatrists he Spirituality and Psychiatry Special Interest Group (SPSIG) was founded to provide a forum for psychiatrists to explore the spiritual challenges presented by psychiatric illness, and how best to respond to patients’ spiritual concerns. More than half of service users hold spiritual or religious beliefs they see as important in helping them cope with mental illness, but often feel unable to discuss such concerns with their psychiatrists. Publishes an online newsletter.
The Nitty Gritty on Cults - books, links, and resources on the Hare Krishna movement and general information about cults. What makes a cult dangerous? * Do you need a guru? * 14 Common Characterstics of Cults by Marcia Rudin * Ten Points to Develop Healthy Boundaries * Born or raised in a cult * Friend or loved one in a cult * Recovery books by Nori Muster, and more.
A blog for those wishing to explore the issue of abuse in the Church. Why does it happen? How can we move on from it? In the blog you will find 100+ articles that have been written on various aspects of Church life, its leadership and some of the problems it faces. Some of the articles are topical and connect with current events. Others are attempts to throw light on having a better understanding of why things can go wrong in the Church. Most of the articles have been written by Stephen Parsons, an Anglican priest and writer. He has made a study of abuse in the Church over the past 15 years.
SNAP is an independent, confidential network of survivors of institutional sexual abuse and their supporters who work to protect the vulnerable, expose predators and those who shield them, heal the wounded, share stories, empower others to confront the truth, find healthy ways to recover.
This website is the largest internet collection of historical documents for the: Church without a Name, Two by Twos, 2x2s, workers, friends, friends and workers fellowship, Christian Conventions, Cooneyites, Assemblies of Christians, Testimony of Jesus, No Name Church home church, the truth, the way, the fold, the fellowship, meetings, conventions, undenominational, nondenominational, testimony, gospel, Hymns Old & New, Go Preachers, Tramp Preachers, Dippers, Black Stockings, Jesus Way. This website is devoted to preserving and publishing material that is in danger of being lost, is hard to find and is not widely known.
Resources for people who have been emotionally or sexually exploited in psychotherapy or other healthcare setting;
The Centers for Apologetics Research (CFAR) is meeting the challenge of evangelization across the developing world, where many cultic movements are growing fastest and the church is most vulnerable.
The Cult Next Door by Elizabeth Burchard and Judith Carlone. Synopsis: At 17, Elizabeth attended a therapy session where the practitioner regaled her with prophetic visions of a glorious future, hers to claim beside him. Over the next decades, this master at manipulating metaphysical concepts organized a small dedicated band. Among brainwashed minds fused with New Age doctrine, Elizabeth sank into despair. From the gullibility that led her astray, to the enlightenment that freed her, you will travel an incredible journey. For anyone who has ever been trapped by a person who would not let them go, within this book lies a message of hope.
The Forgiveness Project is an award-winning, secular organisation that collects and shares real stories of forgiveness to build understanding, encourage reflection and enable people to reconcile with the pain and move forward from the trauma in their own lives. Our exhibitions, events, and programmes use narrative learning techniques to present alternatives to cycles of conflict, violence, crime and injustice.
This website is a repository for Documents written by former followers of a worldwide, non-denominational Christian church/fellowship which claims to take no name. Common nicknames for this church are: The Truth, The Meetings, The Way, Friends and Workers Fellowship, Two-by-Twos, 2x2s, Cooneyites, The Fold and others. To read the compelling story a woman born and raised in this group see: Exit Letters
Over the past five decades, immigration has dramatically changed the religious landscape of the United States. Today, the encounter of people of different religious traditions takes place in our own cities and neighborhoods. In 1991, the Pluralism Project at Harvard University began a pioneering study of America's changing religious landscape. Through an expanding network of affiliates, we document the contours of our multi-religious society, explore new forms of interfaith engagement, study the impact of religious diversity in civic life, and contextualize these findings within a global framework. [research]
We look at all of the trends within evangelical Christianity, along with other stories and trends that impact the faith. We have become quite interested in church conflict, spiritual abuse, and hyper-authoritarian polity. We are equal opportunity offenders and do not emphasize one denomination over another.
Spiritual abuse with a special interest in the Christian fundamentalist patriarchy movement.
Voices for Dignity, Inc.™ is a non-profit organization founded to speak out against the abuse, exploitation, oppression and humiliation of human beings, to help the victims heal, to empower the survivors, and to restore their sense of dignity. To accomplish our goals, we put a strong emphasis on the power of proper storytelling. Specifically, we empower survivors of patriarchal polygamy, cults, ecclesiastical abuse, human trafficking, prostitution, rape, cyberbullying, media humiliation and other forms of trauma, including psychological violence.
Watchman Fellowship is an independent Christian research and apologetics ministry focusing on new religious movements, cults, the occult and the New Age. David Henke founded Watchman Fellowship in Columbus, Georgia in 1979. Today, Watchman Fellowship has grown to several offices in the United States. Watchman Fellowship serves the Christian and secular community as a resource for education, counseling, and non-coercive intervention and evangelism training. We accomplish these tasks through our church presentations, personal counseling, this website, and other activities. We have served almost every denomination including Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal, Assemblies of God, Church of God, Lutheran, Nazarene, non-denominational, etc., as well as schools, law enforcement agencies, and civic groups.
For over 25 years, Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center has provided outpatient counseling services for victims of spiritual abuse, psychological abuse, and toxic relationships in Southern Ohio. Since 1986, survivors have come from all over the globe to find respite and care through our specialized, research-based program. We offer hope and help through a program of counseling and education. We also offer phone consultations for therapeutic professionals and families, seminars, weekend educational workshops, conference presentations, and reference materials. Our treatment plan is a multifaceted approach. Clients receive daily counseling and educational workshops from gentle, licensed professionals who understand the manipulative dynamics behind exploitative groups and relationships.
Wind of Changes, this public service website, is offered by former "instrument keepers" of the Gentle Wind Project (ex-members) to former and present followers and current "instrument keepers," as an alternative viewpoint to the GWP leaders' self-promotion, claims, and publicity. These detailed accounts of manipulation by GWP leaders -- who claim(ed) to have exclusive connections with the "spirit world" -- in the day-to-day lives of followers, and the subtleties of how commitment to the group happened, should also be helpful to families and friends of present members who are looking for answers, and to anyone searching for more information about the group.
"The World Religions & Spirituality Project (WRSP) was established in 2010 at Virginia Commonwealth University. The mission of the WRSP is to provide objective, reliable and comprehensive information about the world's diverse array of religious and spiritual groups. The central feature of the WRSP website is, therefore, profiles of contemporary religious and spiritual movements, established world religions, and historical religious and spiritual movements. Wherever possible, profiles are prepared by scholars of record for the groups that they profile. Each profile includes a presentation of the group's history, distinctive beliefs, rituals, organization and leadership, and issues/challenges. Particularly with respect to newer groups, reliable information often is less accessible, and this website offers comprehensive, balanced information for religion scholars, students, media representatives and those with a personal interest in understanding the diversity of religious and spiritual alternatives in the contemporary world." [research]
World-Wide Religious News was established as a non-profit service in 2002 committed to providing the international academic and legal community ease of access to up-to-date news on religion from around the world. Throughout history, religion has proved to be a central component of society and human experience, shaping how individuals think and interact with their society and culture, both in an immediate as well as global context. WWRN’s service provides a nexus to information that highlights the unique interplay of religion and society and how this impacts the world of today. [research]