Conference Overview

Fees

Hotel Information

Speaker Profiles

Registration

Conference: Cults, Psychological Manipulation, and Society: International Perspectives

AFF (American Family Foundation), the leading professional organization concerned about cults and psychological manipulation, was founded 20 years ago in 1979. AFF is known for its professionalism, for building its practical educational services for families, former group members, helping professionals, educators, young people, and the public on a base of scholarly study and research.

This year’s conference reflects AFF’s breadth and depth of understanding by examining social issues, scientific research, and practical needs of all who are interested in this subject. The conference is part of a larger educational effort in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and is supplemented by pre-conference workshops and educational events.

Friday Events:

Cults, Psychological Manipulation and Society: An Overview

Michael Langone, Ph.D.

Cultic Groups and Families

Margaret Singer, Ph.D.

Cultic Groups and Politics

Dennis Tourish, Ph.D.

Cultic Groups and Mainstream Religions

Ronald Enroth, Ph.D.

Governmental and Legal Responses to Cults in Europe

Lars Grip

Governmental and Legal Responses to Cults in the U.S.A.

Alan Scheflin, J.D

Thought Reform Consultation: A Panel Discussion

David Clark; Carol Giambalvo; Joseph Kelly; Patrick Ryan; Hana Whitfield; Jerry Whitfield; Mike Kropveld, Moderator

So Easily Fooled! You’re Not as Invulnerable as You Think

Robert Fellows, M.T.S.

Saturday Events: Researching Cultic Groups

Reports on recent research by

Peter Malinoski, M.A., JoniBeth Whitney, M.A.,

Rod Marshall, Ph.D., Lois Kendall, Janja Lalich, M.A., Josep Jansa, M.D., Stephen Kent, Ph.D., Paul Martin, Ph.D., Moderator

Support Groups for Ex-Members and Families

William Goldberg, M.S.W.; Bruce Laughton; Donna Mayotte, M.A., L.P.

Psychological Needs of Former Group Members

Lorna Goldberg, M.S.W.; Mary Kent; Alex Stein

The Dark Side of the Moons: A Dialogue with the Ex-wife of the Reverend Sun Myung Moon’s Eldest Son

Nonsook Hong and Herbert Rosedale, Esq.

Can Cultic Groups Change? The Case of ISKCON

Anuttama Dasa; Radha Dasi; Joseph Kelly; Michael Langone, Ph.D.

Should Society's Response to Cults Ignore Theology?

Roger Olson, Ph.D.

International Reports

What Needs to be Done about Cults: A Panel Discussion

Herbert Rosedale, Esq. and representatives from cult educational organizations in Europe and North America

 Sundays Events:

Workshop for Families

Livia Bardin, M.S.W; Donna & Jonathan Collins; Hana Whitfield

Workshop for Former Group Members

Carol Giambalvo; Joseph Kelly

Symposium: So You Want to Help: What Can Individuals Do?

Sandy Andron, Ed.D.; Patrick Ryan; Heather Svoboda

Toward a Common Research Agenda

Diverse researchers in discussion; Arthur Dole, Ph.D., Moderator

Private Conversations with Experts (optional; as resources permit)

Preconference Events:

Public Lecture: So Easily Fooled! You’re Not as Invulnerable as You Think

Robert Fellows, M.T.S. (Wednesday 7:30 p.m.; repeated Friday evening & 7:30 p.m.)

Programs for high schools

Robert Fellows, M.T.S.; Donna Collins (Wednesday and Thursday)
Clergy Workshop

Craig Branch (Thursday 7:00 p.m.)

Educators Workshop

Sandy Andron, Ed.D.; Michael Langone, Ph.D.; Marcia Rudin; Patrick Ryan (Thursday 7:00 p.m.)

Mental Health Professionals Workshop

William Goldberg, M.S.W.; Roseanne Henry, M.A.; Josep Jansa, M.D.; Margaret Singer, Ph.D.; Heather Svoboda (Thursday 7:00 p.m.)

Readings from Former Group Members: A Literary Evening

Alex Stein (Thursday 7:00 p.m.)

If you can’t make this conference, please consider sending a donation so AFF can continue to help cult victims and their families. AFF is a tax-exempt organization and depends solely upon contributions. Please be generous.

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