Langone, Michael: "Sectarian Mentalities and Attitudes in Mainstream Religions"



	International Cultic Studies Association Formerly AFF, American Family Foundation & The Psychology Faculty, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid presents
	Conference: Psychological Manipulation, Cultic Groups, and Other Alternative Movements Madrid, Spain July 14-16, 2005 Conférence: Manipulation psychologique, groupes sectaires et autres mouvements alternatifs À Madrid en Espagne du 14 au 16 juillet 2005 Congreso: Manipulación Psicológica, Grupos Sectarios, y otros Movimientos Alternativos Madrid, España 14-16 de Julio, 2005 The International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) is 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. Founded in 1979 as AFF (American Family Foundation), ICSA took on its current name in late 2004 to better reflect the organization's focus and increasingly international and scholarly dimensions.


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	Index
	English Ω 1-Home Conference Ω 2-Program Ω 3-presenters/speakers Ω 4-Fees Ω 5-Ways to Register Ω 6-Facility and Lodging Ω 7-Travel Information Ω 8-Registration Fax/Mail Form Español Ω 1-Página Principal del Congreso - Español Ω 2-Programa Ω 3-Ponentes Ω 4-Cuotas de Inscripción y Alojamiento Ω 5-Formas de Inscripción - Español Ω 6-Lugar de Celebración y Alojamientos Ω 7-Información sobre el viaje Ω 8-Formulario de Inscripción Fax/Correo - Español Français Ω 1-page d'accueil du congrès - Français Ω 2-Programme Ω 3-présentateurs Ω 4-Frais Ω 5-Pour l’inscription - Français Ω 6-Services - Français Ω 7-Renseignements généraux de voyage - Français Ω 8-Formulaire d’inscription par télécopie ou par courrier Sectarian Mentalities and Attitudes in Mainstream Religions Michael D. Langone, Ph.D. David Clark Sandy Andron, Ed.D. Criticisms of cultic groups have tended to be psychologically or theologically based. Psychological criticisms have emphasized the exploitatively manipulative climates that have been associated with certain groups, which may be nonreligious as well as religious. Theological criticisms have emphasized belief systems, frequently attributing "wrong behaviors" to "wrong beliefs," and associating unorthodoxy, or heresy, with the exploitative manipulations that draw the attention of psychological critics. Sometimes those with a theological perspective naively imply, or even state, that orthodoxy somehow immunizes them against accusations that they exploitatively manipulate others, as though somehow orthodox belief made them sinless. Usually, however, even theologically conservative individuals realize that they and their compatriots may slip into modes of relating that resemble what is usually associated with cultic groups. The 1986 Vatican report on cults and sects acknowledged this fact by stating that sectarian mentalities and attitudes may be found within the Church, even though, according to its theological notions of "cult," "cults" could not exist within the Church. This session, and several to follow, will explore examples of "sectarian mentalities and attitudes," of "cultic dynamics," within mainstream religions. The goal is not to attack mainstream religions. Indeed, many of the presenters are faithful to religious traditions. Rather, the goal is to make clear that what most disturbs us in cultic groups, i.e., treating human beings as objects to be manipulated to serve the goals, needs, and wants of leaders, is not unique to these groups, although it may be more likely to occur in new groups lacking mechanisms of accountability than in established groups with such mechanisms. Focusing on "cultic dynamics" within the mainstream, which does not divert our attention with "strange" beliefs and practices, will help us see more clearly the psychological dimension that cuts across denominations, sects, and cults. It will also help those within mainstream religious traditions better appreciate the need to be vigilant about the rise of cultic dynamics, of "sectarian mentalities and attitudes," within their own denominations as well as within cultic groups.
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