MEP calls for more research to combat rise in ‘dangerous’ cults

Date: 04/09/1997

By Simon Coss

IF EUROPEAN governments really want to tackle the problem of dangerous cults and sects then the first thing they must do is to decide exactly what they are talking about, one MEP has warned.

Austria's Maria Berger, a member of the European Parliament's Socialist Group, is currently drawing up a report on the activities of cults in the EU. She argues that the biggest problem with the issue at the moment is that there is no clear definition of what constitutes a cult.

“At present, we simply do not have the basic facts available to us. There are no reliable statistics,” she explained.

Berger is not yet prepared to single out particular groups for criticism, saying she first wants to draw up a list of basic characteristics which define 'dangerous' organisations.

But she is prepared to give a broad description of the sorts of activities which she feels should be viewed with caution.

She will be paying particular attention to groups which target the young or people at an especially vulnerable stage in their life. “I will also look at groups which try to isolate their members by trying to separate them from family and friends or colleagues,” she added.

Berger says she is unlikely to propose banning any organisation, but suggests the best way to proceed is to provide the public with clear and unbiased information on how cults operate.

The MEP says she has already been extensively lobbied by a whole range of groups anxious to avoid being branded as dangerous.

Recent years have seen a marked rise in the proliferation of groups and organisations which offer some sort of alternative to the increasingly stressful and materialistic lifestyle of the late 20th century.

Many could in no way be considered harmful. But there are some groups which are causing concern. The most recent, high-profile case in the EU came in 1994 when 48 members of the Order of the Solar Temple committed collective suicide at a Swiss retreat. Police investigations found that some members had donated almost 900,000 ecu to Joseph di Mambro, the cult's leader.

The Church of Scientology is another group currently active in many EU states. Also known as Dianetics, the church was set up by science fiction writer L Ron Hubbard in California in 1950. Scientologists believe that humans are temporal vessels for immortal souls called Thetans, who created the universe. Their enemies are disruptive forces known as Engrams, which can be purged through Dianetics therapy. This is provided by senior Scientologists, known as auditors, and can cost up to 75,000 ecu per person. Critics say the therapy is never ending.

Mainstream religions have also spawned offshoots which many critics regard as 'cultist'. The Jesus Army - based in Northamptonshire in the UK - targets members of vulnerable communities such as drug addicts and the homeless for their hard-sell missionary work, known as 'love bombing'. The organisation believes homosexuality can be cured and marriage partners must be approved by Army leaders. In 1986, the Baptist and Evangelical churches expelled the Army from membership of their umbrella organisation, arguing the group was isolationist.