Academic Advocacy for New Religious Movements: Of Apocalypse and Justice

Description

This book explores the intersection of advocacy and academic practice within the social sciences, focusing on the ethical dimensions and potential consequences of researchers engaging in political action on behalf of the groups they study. Investigating the ethical and practical implications of advocacy in academic work, specifically within the social sciences. It examines how scholars, guided by their research and vision for social change, engage politically to support the groups they study. The book addresses the debate surrounding academic advocacy: is it harmful or a necessary pursuit? Through a detailed study of a historical advocacy movement, it analyzes the global campaign to gain legitimacy for new religious movements (NRMs) between 1980 and 2000. It is an important read for scholars of New Religious Movements and those interested in the way religion is studied. Prologue References Preface Acknowledgments Contents Chapter 1: Seduced by a Dream of Justice The Axioms Chapter 2: The Consensus in Plan and Action The Hadden Memorandum Introduction Proposal (A) Secret Donations from NRMs Proposal (B) Proposal (C) Neutralizing the American Family Foundation’s Project Recovery The Story of AWARE The Story of CUT Appendix Introduction General Conclusions AGENDA ITEM # 1—Development of a research agenda for the 1990s, including a strategy for production and dissemination of same. AGENDA ITEM #2—Discussion of the value and need for an American version of INFORM and consideration of how we might be of assistance. AGENDA ITEM # 3—Preparation of the “agnostic” resolution and development of a strategy for encouraging the governing bodies of ASA, APA (or perhaps Sect 38), SSSR, ASR, RRR and CISR to adopt same. AGENDA ITEM # 4—Consider whether other collective action is appropriate at this time for dealing with the ongoing forensic battles. AGENDA ITEM # 5—Consider what collective action, if any, needs to be developed as an alternative to AFF’s Project Recovery. Chapter 3: Defending the Children of God/The Family The Family: History and Evolution The Group’s Deception Policy Due Diligence About Investigating COG Retention and the Future Crimes Against Children in Children of God/The Family: Physical Punishment Crimes Against Children in Children of God/The Family: Sexual Violence Protecting the Family: Exoneration and Coverup “The Best Interests of the Child” Denying Sexual Abuse The Lilliston Tragedy The Raids The Case of Tony Alamo Chapter 4: The Unification Church in Search of Respectability Power and Politics “A Business Empire” How Followers Financed the U-C Empire How Were Such Huge Sums of Money Raised? Were U-C Followers Exploited? Deception and Criminality Unificationism as a Criminal Movement The U-C Investigation by the United States Congress The Unification Church and Academics The Church in Decline Chapter 5: A Memory of Jonestown Chapter 6: Defending Rajneesh The Move to the United States Evolving Doctrines Criminality in Rajneeshpuram Rajneesh and the Homeless The Sex Guru Enjoyment and Abuse Arguments for the Defense Chapter 7: The Martyrdom of David Koresh The Branch Davidians Christ Under Siege Violence Before 1993 In Defense of David Koresh Exhibit A Exhibit B Exhibit C Responsibility for the Tragedy The Book of Revelation Sensationalism and Reality Defending a Theater of Cruelty Sexual Abuse The Case of Kiri Jewell The “Biblical World” Bonnie’s Story The Parental Complicity Argument Analogies and Precedents: Religious Freedom from Purnell to Koresh Welcoming the Apocalypse Chapter 8: Defending More Abuses and More Abusers Dwight York and Yahweh Ben Yahweh Chapter 9: Collaborating with Scientology Hubbard’s Brainchild Scientology’s Early History Religious Conversion? The Polio Scam Telling the Truth The 1982 Mission Holders Conference Scientology Fronts The Purification Rundown The Oxford Capacity Analysis Dianetics The Anti-Psychiatry Campaign Scientology and the NRM Scholars Contextualizing Beliefs The Scholarly Position on Deception The Profits of Being a Religion Complete Identification and Loyalty J.G. Melton and Scientology Introvigne and Scientology The Benevolence and Charity Defense Scientology in the Courts The 1993 Triumph The Media on Scientology Scientology as a Psychotherapy System Finally, What Is Scientology? Chapter 10: Advocacy, Collaboration, and Ethics The “Medicalization” Claim The Campaign Against “Apostates” More Desperate Measures Victimization and Denial Chapter 11: Lessons to Remember Academics and the Media Observing Tragedies The Psychopathology Issue Deceptions and Financing The Recent Decline of NRMs The Substance The Twenty-First Century The Impact References Index