Press Release
For Immediate Release:
Press Contact: Michael Langone
239.514.3081
AFF to Hold Three-Day Cult Conference
AFF, a cult research and education organization, will conduct a
conference entitled, "Jonestown Plus 20 Years: What Have We Learned?" The
conference will take place from 9:00 a.m. Friday, November 13th to 1:00 p.m. Sunday,
November 15th at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Northbrook, Illinois.
The feature presentation is entitled, "Recollecting
Jonestown: Personal Account and Commentary." Patricia Ryan, daughter of
Representative Leo J.Ryan, who was slain at Jonestown, and Dr. Margaret Singer, Emeritus
Adjunct Professor at the University of California Berkeley, considered by many to be the
leading cult expert in the world, will discuss the horrors and lessons of Jonestown. This
program will take place Saturday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Friday's program includes:
- "From Jonestown to Heaven's Gate" by Margaret
Singer, Ph.D.;
- "Helping Families: What Have We Learned?" by
Michael Langone, Ph.D., Executive Director of AFF and Editor of Cultic Studies Journal;
- Herbert L. Rosedale, Esq., President of AFF, Administrative
Court Judge Mercedes Colwin, and will address "Cults and the Law Since
Jonestown."
In addition to the feature presentation, Saturday's
programs will include:
- "Children and Medical Neglect Since Jonestown" by
Rita Swan, Ph.D., President of Children's Healthcare is a Legal Duty (CHILD);
- "When People Ask About Cults: Secular and Evangelical
Responses" and "Psychology, Theology, and Cults," both of which will be
addressed by a panel of experts (Craig Branch of Watchman Fellowship; Martin Butz, M.Div.
formerly of the
Cult Awareness Network;
Paul Carden of Apologetics Research Institute; Carol Giambalvo of AFF; Michael Langone,
Ph.D. of AFF; Paul Martin, Ph.D. of Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center; and Lois
Svoboda, M.D. of Wichita Kansas).
Sunday's program will consist of three
workshops for families, former group members, and mental health professionals.
Cost for the three-day event is $200; $85 for
one-day. For more information on the conference, call AFF at 941.514.3081,
fax 941.514.3451, E-mail aff@worldnet.att.net, or visit the organization's Web site, http://www.csj.org.
(Press Web site, http://www.csj.org/press.html)
Founded in 1979, AFF's purpose is to study psychological
manipulation and high-control, cultic groups; to educate the public about this issue; and
to provide assistance to individuals and their families during and after a cultic
experience. AFF publishes the
Cult Observer, a
monthly review of press reports on cultism, and Cultic Studies Journal, a scholarly
publication. Additional information available from AFF, P.O. Box 2265, Bonita Springs,
Florida 34133.
NOTE to editors/producers: If you would like to arrange for
an interview with one of the conference experts, please call AFF at
239.514.3081 before
November 13, 1998. Experts will be available throughout the weekend.
If you'd like to cover the conference, please call to
obtain a press pass.
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