In this paper, I analyze, from the perspective of urban legends, the alleged threats cultic groups pose. I base this analysis on the information that repeatedly appears in the Polish news.

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Urban Legends However, they discovered nothing alarming (Czapkowska, 2003a, p. 4). Finally, during the weekend, a larger number of police What is an urban legend? This is a popular story alleged to be patrols watched over the residents. The officers initially true that concerns bizarre, humiliating, humorous, frightening, or interviewed a group of people who were assumed to be supernatural events. One of the most widespread urban legends involved in the making of the satanic drawings and inscriptions. in Poland and other Eastern European countries, mainly in the But the testimony of these individuals indicated that the 1960s and 1970s, was the story about black Volga, a car creations were the result of excess rowdiness rather than satanic manufactured in the Soviet Union, which was said to kidnap activity (Czapkowska, 2003c, p. 4). people, especially children. Another case concerns Augustów, a town with a population of For an event concerning cults to be called an urban legend, it 30,000 situated in the Province of Podlasie. “The cult is to make a should exhibit most or all of the common characteristics of this couple of dozens of young people commit a suicide”—such a type of folklore. Namely, information about the event is typically warning in December 2007 was allegedly passed to the faithful of spontaneous (or indeterminate) origin and in narrative form (a during mass by their priest, Jan Wróblewski, of the town center story); circulated by being passed orally or in writing among parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus. A policeman who attended the individuals; alleged to be true, plausible enough to be believed, mass then forwarded the message to his superiors. They checked attributed to putatively trustworthy secondhand sources, but out the information with the priest, who confirmed that it had unproven; and likely to take the form of a cautionary tale that been passed to him during confession. He refused to reveal will vary in the telling. anything else, hiding behind the confidentiality of confession, so The most classic urban legend I have found involved an event the officers decided to establish the truth through other in Czudec, a village in southeastern Poland with a population of channels ([WYS], 2007, p. 3). 3,200. In early June 2003, someone painted a black 13 on The priest’s statement caused some confusion in the town, and as buildings and telephone boxes, and in the pharmacy. On the is usual in such cases, it developed a life of its own. Speculations wall of the shopping center appeared the word cult, inverted began circulating: “Of course, they will drown in a lake, there are crosses, and the announcement “To be continued.”There also lots of lakes around”; “They will swallow poison; drugs are was a pentagram, a symbol strongly associated with Satanism in available everywhere”; “Windows in the funeral home have Poland. On the main bus stop, the word amen appeared, and recently been broken several times. It is obvious that it is the also a clock with the hands pointed at 3PM. It was rumored that Satanists’ work; who else would do such a thing?” (Zielinska,´ 2008, Satanists were to kill two people on the Friday following the p. 4). Some residents were afraid for their children; others hoped appearance of these items. Also rumored was that Satanists that the one who made the confession was a madman ([WYS], would sacrifice a virgin, a student of a junior high school. 2007, p. 3). A local married couple wondered, “It sounds awful According to the expanded version of the rumor, 180 minions of and not very reliable, but is it impossible?” (Zielinska,´ 2008, p. 4). Satan were to visit Czudec to make a sacrifice during a Black Mass (Czapkowska, 2003a, p. 4). Why on Friday? “Because it’s the As Andrzej Murawski, the spokesman for the police in Augustów, sixth day of the sixth month of the year, and the crime was to be noted, the only certain thing was that the priest knew of a committed at six in the morning. As you know, three sixes are a danger an undefined group was posing. It is not certain whether symbol of Satan,”said one of the residents (Czapkowska, 2003b). he used the word cult, and the findings of the police “did not prove that any group or cult operated in Augustów and that any Almost every person with whom a reporter of a regional tragedy could be expected.”The officer added that “Father newspaper met had heard about Satanists in the town, and the Wróblewski is a serious person and he would not waste words. rumors concerned the members of the local community. Maybe he meant something else—e.g., a general risk of the Meanwhile, no one was able to specify the source of this current times and that parents pay too little attention to their information. Most people were convinced that a warning had children” (Zielinsk´ a, 2008, p. 4). been posted on a Web site, although no one knew the Web site’s address. Similarly, the high school headmaster argued that “Not only children but also adults are frightened. Even if it is a It is a hint for us that we need to watch out for young silly joke, you never know how this will end,”said one of the people. And those 50 people who were allegedly to be locals. People were afraid to go out at night; noisy parks were recruited by a cult and persuaded to commit a suicide is desolate. Some parents were in doubt about whether to send just a media event ... as the priest mentioned only, that their children to school. such information is circulating among the youth. (Zielinska,´ 2008, p. 4) In this paper, I analyze, from the perspective of The local police were reasonably reserved and limited urban legends, the alleged threats cultic themselves to an investigation of the murals that had recently The police spokesman added that, although no trace of a cult groups pose. I base this analysis on the information appeared. “We are looking for those responsible for destruction had been found, they did not quit investigating because they that repeatedly appears in the Polish news. of the property. This is the work of vandals, not Satanists,”said could not underestimate the significance of this issue ([WYS], Witold Wójcik, Deputy Commander of the local police. According 2007, p. 3). to information he gathered, in Czudec there had been no group The first of the described stories is a pure urban legend. The that could be associated with the cult. Stanislaw Gierlak, Mayor second case also meets the criteria of an urban legend because of Czudec, also doubted whether this had been a local case: “We it has most of the usual features. What differentiates these two are painting out emerging drawings not to exacerbate the events is the role of the priest from Augustów, who seems to be climate of fear” (Czapkowska, 2003a, p. 4; 2003b, p. 4). the main source of the circulating rumors in the second story. Policemen checked out all the information they received from But this difference is only one of appearance, because in fact the residents of Czudec, and they patrolled the places where priest was only one of the links in the distribution of the story Satanists had allegedly appeared—e.g., the nearby quarries. that had an unclear etiology, a story that developed after it left

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the walls of the sanctuary. Regardless of how the story’s events that “almost a million Poles belong to cults” (Kozera, 1998, p. 5). in this subject in Poland, even though the attraction is clearly References were exaggerated, the increased watchfulness of residents and (Note that the total number of all Polish citizens is approaching lower than in the 1990s, that knowledge for most people is authorities after they heard the story seems natural. about 38 million.) In 2002, one journalist raised the stakes: quite stereotypical. This lack of trustworthy information affects Barker, E. (1997). Nowe ruchy religijne [New religious movements]. T. Kunz both the recipients and senders of media messages. Admittedly, (Transl.). Kraków: Nomos. Finally, somewhere in many individuals’ subconscious, there Currently, some 2.5 million Poles are affected by the “cult though, awareness of the threat of cults is quite high among seems to be a conviction that ignoring such news sometimes syndrome”, i.e., broke relations with their families, lost their Poles. On one hand, we should regard this as a success, Czapkowska, E. (2003). W Czudcu bojà sie˛ najazdu satanistów [Czudecs fear leads to tragic consequences, as in the shootings resulting in ability to critically assess the situation, became dependant especially of local prevention initiatives; but on the other hand, Satanist invasion]. Nowiny, 108,4. nine deaths that occurred in 2007 at the high school in Jokela, [sic] on the cult leader, the group or psychedelic drugs. awareness doesn’t protect against unfair exaggeration in the Czapkowska, E. (2003). W Czudcu nadal sie˛ bojà [Czudec residents are still Finland. Such urban legends as the previous examples can Every year several thousand people become more or less assessment of the activities of cults, whether by those providing afraid]. Retrieved from http://www.nowiny24.pl/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID= trigger parents and teachers to keep an eye on their youth and involved in the life of cults. (Kulczycki, 2002, p. 11) the information or those receiving it. /20030605/REGION00/306040046 those they associate with, and to initiate talks on this subject. Of The subject of the number of cults would require a separate course, the adults must be wise enough in these talks not to A second source of misconceptions is the transmission of Czapkowska, E. (2003). Satanisci´ sie˛ nie pojawili [The Satanists have not analysis. However, crucial for this study is how the media heats make young people feel they are being hounded in an information about cults. Too often, such information seems to showed up]. Nowiny, 111, 4. up the atmosphere around these groups by “pumping up” atmosphere of brazen surveillance (Franc, 2008, p. 5). In the two induce strong emotions in the recipient. Rather than inform, figures or interpreting the statistics to prove a preconceived Filas, A., & Misiewicz, E. (1996). Inwazja sekt [Invasion of the cults]. Wprost, cases I present here, both the police and the authorities of the media messages sometimes promote the atmosphere of anxiety thesis. And the larger the figures are, the more serious the . 46, 58–60, 62. municipality and school stood up to the task; both soothed and fear (Libiszowska-Zóltkowska,⁄ 1997, p. 14). This tone often problem seems to be. I take the view that it is impossible to heightened emotions and avoided neglecting the issue. begins with exaggerated titles, such as “Be aware, the cult!” (a Franc, T. (2008). Sekty bombardujà miloscià⁄ ´ [Cults bombard with love] determine how many cults there are in Poland or how many cluster of words that frequently appears in the press); “The cult (interview by A. Zielinska).´ Kurier Poranny Magazyn, 3,5. members those groups have. Because of the inherent attacks”; or “Cults—the biggest threat at the end of the Related Misconceptions ambiguity, variability, and frequent isolation and secrecy within Kozera, A. (1998). Czyhajà na slabych⁄ i zagubionych [Waylaying the weak and twentieth century.”As a result, the recipient’s attention is . In the context of the above examples is the problem of basic these groups, this phenomenon defies precise quantitative the lost]. Zycie Warszawy, 6, 5. diverted from the essence of the problem to subplots. . misconceptions that frequently exist concerning the threats assessments. Qualitatively it is not an exaggeration to say that Kulczycki, A. (2002). Strzezmy sie˛ sekt [Let’s beware of cults]. Super Nowosci,´ cults pose. These misconceptions result from people’s tendency this is a serious problem: Even if only a handful of victims of 26, 11. to generalize and demonize specific aspects of cultic groups, cultic groups reports to specialists about their experiences, Conclusions . and they are qualitatively related to the problem of urban each case is marked with a stamp of personal injustice. We To reduce the power of stereotypes and the myths about cults, Libiszowska-Zóltkowska,⁄ M. (1997). Wstep.˛ Eileen Barker i nowe ruchy legends. I now will attempt to classify these misconceptions and cannot equate the amount of harm experienced in any group journalists must pursue with greater diligence a fact-finding religijne [Introduction. Eileen Barker and new religious movements]. In E. consider their causes in terms of how such misinformation or all groups collectively based only on the number of reported mission when they discuss issues related to the intriguing and Barker, Nowe ruchy religijne [New religious movements]. (T. Kunz, Trans.). develops, and fallacies about how many cultic groups there are victims. And we cannot forget this aspect of quality research in controversial activities of cults. The need for professionalism in Kraków: Nomos (pp. 7–26). and who really belongs to them. the quest for a variety of statistics (Nowakowski, 2009, p. this context seems particularly significant in light of the fact that Nowakowski, P.T. (2009). Ile jest sekt w Polsce? [How many cults are there in 23–24). most cult-related information does not reach the public through How Do Cults Affect People? Poland?]. Sekty i Fakty 1(38/39), 21–24. conscientiously and professionally designed Web sites, scientific Who Really Belongs to Cults? ⁄ Sometimes cults are said to be omnipresent and omnipotent, publications, and lectures, but instead through the media. This Nowakowski, P.T. (2007). Scientollywood, czyli o wplywie scjentologii w The question of “Who?” refers to celebrities associated with and that they lead inexorably to the transformation of reality should encourage journalists to adopt a sense of przemysle´ rozrywkowym [Scientollywood, that is, about the influence of cults, a list that is quite long. Just a cursory glance at online personality. This belief follows from the fact that the media too responsibility toward their audience for the cult-related contents Scientology in show business]. Sekty i Fakty 1(30), 16–19. often duplicate simplistic schemes, trivializing the complicated resources regarding this question is enough to produce such a . they provide, to reliably inform the public, to approach the Nowakowski, P.T. (1999). Sekty – co kazdy powinien wiedziec´ [Sects – what issue of cults and classifying the entire spectrum of what they list of stars. Certainly, cults must be quite powerful because subject with a professional message based on facts, and to one should know]. Tychy: Maternus Media. people famous from the headlines are joining them in bulk. might be to a single, highly stigmatized category. For example, if avoid excessive sensationalism. one cult is extremely dangerous, all cults are perceived to be However, we need to be careful in our calculations. The alleged rem. (2008). Kabala?...⁄ Jak alkoholicy [Kabbalah?... Like alcoholics]. Retrieved equally dangerous; if one cult is accused of a crime, all cults are cult membership of some celebrities could be just an Also invaluable is the role of reliable preventive actions carried from http://www.se.pl/rozrywka/plotki/kabala-jak-alkoholicy_61501.html criminal organizations; and if members of one cult committed expression of those individuals’ unconscious need to be out at schools of different levels. Such actions include providing (WYS). (2007). Na tropie tajemniczej sekty [On the track of a secret cult]. Kurier suicides, it is most likely that members of other cults will finally “trendy” (like those who choose to wear red thread on the basic education about potentially harmful groups and their Poranny, 298, 3. do the same (Nowakowski, 1999, p. 11). wrist), their involvement in a social episode (e.g., participation recruitment and retention techniques, to reduce the power of in a Scientology meeting), or simply a media event for them. stereotypes and the myths about cults. This approach would Zielinska,´ A. (2008). Tajemnica jednej spowiedzi [The secret of one Commentators also sometimes confuse different groups. For help individuals in advance to avoid the tendency to confession]. Kurier Poranny Magazyn 3, 4. The assignment of cult membership to individual celebrities example, someone who suggests that the leaders of the oversimplify discussions they might have about cult-related can be very deceptive, especially given that their preferences Unification Church urge their followers to prostitution or suicide issues. And although there currently are numerous projects on often seem to be changeable. A critical statement by Naomi probably is confusing this organization with the Children of God cults aimed at students, we still need to question the quality of or Peoples Temple. The idea that Moonies are urged to engage in Campbell about her experiences with the Kabbalah Centre at least some of them. I prostitution must seem particularly ridiculous to those with even reflects this unpredictability: “I don’t like to get hooked on basic knowledge about this movement and its doctrines (Barker, things like that. It reminds me of A.A. but just with different 1997, p. 87). Instead of lumping all cults together, one should be words,”said the supermodel, who, according to journalists’ guided in one’s judgment by sober insights. Not every cult is as reports, has participated in both AA and pop-Kabbalah About the Author toxic as the Peoples Temple and Satanists. Not every cult uses meetings (rem, 2008). At times, news also surfaces concerning Piotr T. Nowakowski, PhD, oblicza werbunku (2001) (in English: Sects – Faces of Recruitment); methods as deceptive as those the Unification Church uses. Not the association of some stars with Scientologists, but then was born in 1974. He is a doctor of Fast food dla mózgu, czyli telewizja i okolice (2002) (in English: Fast all harmful cults are as serious a threat to the functioning of the those involved finally deny that relationship. That was the case pedagogy and Assistant Professor at The Food for the Mind—i.e., television and surroundings); Modele state as the Church of Scientology is. The potential harmful effect with Michael Jackson, and later, Jennifer Lopez, who denied John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin – czlowieka propagowane w czasopismach mlodziezowych. Analiza cults create is qualitatively different, and essentially we also can such speculations about herself. “I’m not a Scientologist; I was Off-Campus Faculty of Social Sciences in antropologiczno-etyczna (2004) (in English: Models of Man quantify this information (Nowakowski, 1999, p. 11). raised Catholic,”she said. Similarly, Dannii Minogue was Stalowa Wola (Poland). His areas of scientific Propagated in Selected Magazines for Young People. An surprised at reports of her alleged affiliation with Scientology activity include philosophy of education, Anthropological and Ethical Analysis). The Phenomenon of Cults from How Many Cults and Members Are There? (Nowakowski, 2007, p. 16). In referring to the alleged number of cults and their members, aretology, pedagogy of mass media, and a Scientific Perspective (editor, 2007); Higher Education in Nigeria: people quite often give in to the “magic” of numbers and pedagogy of resocialization. He is the Selected Aspects (editor, 2010). Dr. Nowakowski is ICSA Today’s news percentage values. Worthy of note in this regard are press Sources of Misconceptions author of sections in the Universal correspondent for Eastern Europe. I analyses. In 1996, the public was informed that “every year, The most obvious explanation for how individuals develop Encyclopedia of Philosophy (published by Polskie Towarzystwo several thousand Poles join one of 300 new religious groups” these misconceptions seems to be their lack of substantive Tomasza z Akwinu). His books include Sekty – co kazdy powinien (Filas & Mistewicz, 1996, p. 58). Two years later, we might read knowledge about cults. Despite considerable ongoing interest wiedziec (1999) (in English: Sects – What One Should Know); Sekty –

8 ICSA TODAY VOLUME 4 | NUMBER 1 | 2013 9 in this subject in Poland, even though the attraction is clearly References lower than in the 1990s, that knowledge for most people is quite stereotypical. This lack of trustworthy information affects Barker, E. (1997). Nowe ruchy religijne[New religious movements]. T. Kunz both the recipients and senders of media messages. Admittedly, (Transl.). Kraków: Nomos. though, awareness of the threat of cults is quite high among Poles. On one hand, we should regard this as a success, Czapkowska, E. (2003). W Czudcu bojà sie˛ najazdu satanistów [Czudecs fear especially of local prevention initiatives; but on the other hand, Satanist invasion]. Nowiny, 108, 4. awareness doesn’t protect against unfair exaggeration in the Czapkowska, E. (2003). W Czudcu nadal sie˛ bojà[Czudec residents are still assessment of the activities of cults, whether by those providing afraid]. Retrieved from http://www.nowiny24.pl/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID= the information or those receiving it. /20030605/REGION00/306040046 A second source of misconceptions is the transmission of Czapkowska, E. (2003). Satanisci´ sie˛ nie pojawili [The Satanists have not information about cults. Too often, such information seems to showed up]. Nowiny, 111, 4. induce strong emotions in the recipient. Rather than inform, Filas, A., & Misiewicz, E. (1996). Inwazja sekt [Invasion of the cults]. Wprost, media messages sometimes promote the atmosphere of anxiety . 46, 58–60, 62. and fear (Libiszowska-Zóltkowska,⁄ 1997, p. 14). This tone often begins with exaggerated titles, such as “Be aware, the cult!” (a Franc, T. (2008). Sekty bombardujà miloscià⁄ ´ [Cults bombard with love] cluster of words that frequently appears in the press); “The cult (interview by A. Zielinska).´ Kurier Poranny Magazyn, 3, 5. attacks”; or “Cults—the biggest threat at the end of the Kozera, A.. (1998). Czyhajà na slabych⁄ i zagubionych [Waylaying the weak and twentieth century.”As a result, the recipient’s attention is the lost]. Zycie Warszawy, 6, 5. diverted from the essence of the problem to subplots. . Kulczycki, A. (2002). Strzezmy sie˛ sekt [Let’s beware of cults]. Super Nowosci,´ 26, 11. Conclusions . To reduce the power of stereotypes and the myths about cults, Libiszowska-Zóltkowska,⁄ M. (1997). Wstep.˛ Eileen Barker i nowe ruchy journalists must pursue with greater diligence a fact-finding religijne [Introduction. Eileen Barker and new religious movements]. In E. mission when they discuss issues related to the intriguing and Barker, Nowe ruchy religijne [New religious movements]. (T. Kunz, Trans.). controversial activities of cults. The need for professionalism in Kraków: Nomos (pp. 7–26). this context seems particularly significant in light of the fact that Nowakowski, P.T. (2009). Ile jest sekt w Polsce? [How many cults are there in most cult-related information does not reach the public through Poland?]. Sekty i Fakty 1(38/39), 21–24. conscientiously and professionally designed Web sites, scientific publications, and lectures, but instead through the media. This Nowakowski, P.T. (2007). Scientollywood, czyli o wplywie⁄ scjentologii w reality should encourage journalists to adopt a sense of przemysle´ rozrywkowym [Scientollywood, that is, about the influence of Scientology in show business]. Sekty i Fakty 1(30), 16–19. responsibility toward their audience for the cult-related contents . they provide, to reliably inform the public, to approach the Nowakowski, P.T. (1999). Sekty – co kazdy powinien wiedziec´[Sects – what subject with a professional message based on facts, and to one should know]. Tychy: Maternus Media. avoid excessive sensationalism. rem. (2008). Kabala?...⁄ Jak alkoholicy [Kabbalah?... Like alcoholics]. Retrieved Also invaluable is the role of reliable preventive actions carried from http://www.se.pl/rozrywka/plotki/kabala-jak-alkoholicy_61501.html out at schools of different levels. Such actions include providing (WYS). (2007). Na tropie tajemniczej sekty [On the track of a secret cult]. Kurier basic education about potentially harmful groups and their Poranny, 298, 3. recruitment and retention techniques, to reduce the power of stereotypes and the myths about cults. This approach would Zielinska,´ A. (2008). Tajemnica jednej spowiedzi [The secret of one help individuals in advance to avoid the tendency to confession]. Kurier Poranny Magazyn 3, 4. oversimplify discussions they might have about cult-related issues. And although there currently are numerous projects on cults aimed at students, we still need to question the quality of at least some of them. ■

About the Author Piotr T. Nowakowski, PhD, oblicza werbunku (2001) (in English: Sects – Faces of Recruitment); was born in 1974. He is a doctor of Fast food dla mózgu, czyli telewizja i okolice (2002) (in English: Fast pedagogy and Assistant Professor at The Food for the Mind—i.e., television and surroundings); Modele John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin – czlowieka propagowane w czasopismach mlodziezowych. Analiza Off-Campus Faculty of Social Sciences in antropologiczno-etyczna (2004) (in English: Models of Man Stalowa Wola (Poland). His areas of scientific Propagated in Selected Magazines for Young People. An activity include philosophy of education, Anthropological and Ethical Analysis). The Phenomenon of Cults from aretology, pedagogy of mass media, and a Scientific Perspective (editor, 2007); Higher Education in Nigeria: pedagogy of resocialization. He is the Selected Aspects (editor, 2010). Dr. Nowakowski is ICSA Today’s news author of sections in the Universal correspondent for Eastern Europe. ■ Encyclopedia of Philosophy (published by Polskie Towarzystwo Tomasza z Akwinu). His books include Sekty – co kazdy powinien wiedziec (1999) (in English: Sects – What One Should Know); Sekty –

VOLUME 4 | NUMBER 1 | 2013 9 Born Into a Doomsday Cult Andie Redwine Urban Legends and Other Misconceptions Concerning the Threats Cults Pose Piotr T. Nowakowski

I Need to Apply for Jobs, but I Don’t Know How to Explain... Point of View - Q & A • William Goldberg

NEWS • PRESS SUMMARIES • ARTICLES • PEOPLE PROFILES • POETRY • ART Table of Contents ICSA Today, Volume 4, No. 1, 2013

Editor-in-Chief 2 13 Michael D. Langone, PhD Born Into a Doomsday Cult Book Reviews Associate Editor Andie Redwine Ann Stamler, MA, MPhil Arts Editor Diana Pletts, MA Book Review Editor 6 18 Livia Bardin, MSW Urban Legends and Other Arts: Poetry Misconceptions Concerning the Family Editor Threats Cults Pose Lois Svoboda, MD, LMFT Piotr T. Nowakowski Member Profiles Editor Mary O’Connell 22 Mental Health Editor Profiles On... Gillie Jenkinson, MA 10 News Desk Editor Results of the International Joseph F. Kelly Cultic Studies Association’s Research Coeditors 2008 Questionnaire for Former Linda Dubrow-Marshall, PhD Cult Members 24 Rod Dubrow-Marshall, PhD Reverend Richard L. Dowhower Correspondents’ Reports Point of View - Q&A William Goldberg, MSW, LCSW Correspondents Australia Helen Pomery 12 27 Austria/Germany Point of View - Q&A News Desk Friedrich Griess Eastern Europe Piotr T. Nowakowski, PhD French-Speaking Countries Guillaume Garih, JD Italy Dr. Cristina Caparesi Dr. Raffaella Di Marzio Scandinavia Arthur Buchman, MA Spain and Latin America Luis Santamaria, SThL and Erika Toren Writing Consultants Sharon Hamm; Robert E. Schecter, PhD Bios of ICSA Today editors can be found at http://icsahome.com/infoserv_respond/ by_profile.asp International Cultic Studies Association P.O. Box 2265 • Bonita Springs, FL 34133 Web: icsahome.com Email: [email protected] Phone: 239.514.3081 Fax: 305.393.8193 ISSN: 2154-820X Printed in the USA The views expressed in ICSA Today are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views Artists and poets retain copyright of of ICSA Today’s editors or editorial boards or of ICSA’s directors, advisors, or staff. Groups analyzed or their works and grant ICSA permission mentioned in ICSA Today are not necessarily cults, nor are they necessarily harmful. to reproduce them. Unless otherwise indicated, all other material copyright International Cultic Studies Association.