TBWPJan 22, 19919:43 am6  !#%'/I1Jz5$$HC=L%' L PN H D A* Fk H @ G9 @ F E JK J 9  D "^  H /  7 24KDMFG/MOjIl 0?F2Hz|G~F@ FKC@IG_JJJ:HE:HKHIH$FlG=6J8CBJ&QwNy#?L)?u:B>I@GAEJVAFA'IhIFH@CD@OJQK Q&A WRITE -- B. Emerald 23 January 1991Kevin,Below, I've typed/edited the notes that you sent me. As I'm sure you'll see when you read it, a lot of work still remains. You seem to have been moving in the direction of the following structure:!* introductory paragraph!* brief case description!* overview of the steps to consider in collecting information bearing on a case!* the actual steps taken in the illustrative case!* recapitulation that clarifies the relationship between the case example and the general principals.!"First, your brief case description needs elaboration. The weirdness of the case makes it an attention getter, and probably also a good example of information collecting. I think, however, your case description should more clearly demonstrate that this is an appropriate exit counselor situation, rather than a case for Thorazine Man. You might consider the key question I advise parents to ask: "If my son/daughter were not in a cultic group, what would disturb me about his/her behavior." In this case, the belief system itself is a warning signal that something is awry. But, especially in this era of deified relativism, wackiness alone isn't enough to justify an intervention. What else -- being as concrete as possible -- about her behavior was disturbing? What indicated that her behavior was influenced by her group involvement? In other words, demonstrate that there was reasonable cause to warrant a "search warrant," i.e., a cult assessment.Next, review the four steps I've derived from your notes, modify as needed and add anything missing.Third, elaborate the steps in a general sense. You began this for step one, but I believe more specifics are needed.Then, show these steps in action in the case example.Lastly, recapitulate.I suggest that you first write a detailed outline (and the one-page summary outline I request in the enclosed memo). In a pinch, you can give your talk based on the outline. Then write the paper, preferably before you talk, but afterwards if necessary.Your edited notes follow.I think this has great potential. Please try to make the time to finish it. Good luck!MichaelA _______________A Information Gathering Regarding CultsA Kevin GarveyRequests for counseling related to individuals' participation in novel groups have increased substantially over the past decade. This added burden on counselors can be lessened by more efficient means of collecting and organizing information pertinent to novel groups. The following composite situation illustrates some of the problems and solutions counselors encounter when dealing with these groups.A young, female graduate of Lifespring disappears from graduate school. One year later, she surfaces in Baja, California, married, with a baby girl. During a collect call to her parents, she demands her inheritance, warns them to stay away, and announces that she is the chosen vehicle for incarnating the Royal Pairing. The baby girl is the first child fathered by the Grand Lahunaki. The second, to be a boy, will be conceived with the aid of a Mexican Shaman. Her friends are followers of what they believe is the ancient, true source of all religions, the Mexican-Polynesian school of the Lahanuakai. This, she reveals, is the source of the Hawaiian goddess Pele, the subsequently Hindu distortion, Kali, and the Aztec corn goddess. She says that each of these goddesses is really an externalized persona of spirit entitites teleported across space from their abode on the seventh moon of the ninth planet of the companion star to Sirius B. She also says she is exceedingly proud of her material wealth, and that her family should be as well.How does a counselor and the woman's family approach this situation? How does one collect, organize, and process information bearing on the family's understandable desire to help the affected family member understand his/her dangerous position? This paper will review steps that have proved helpful. These include:!1. finding former members of this group and, if possible, counselors with some knowledge of the group;!2. contact with the woman's graduate school friends;!3. identification of the persons who recruited the woman into this group (in this case the recruiters/leaders have backgrounds in est, Lifespring, Insight, Eckankar, NLP, and other cultic groups); and!4. making contact with local law enforcement personnel.!Step one is crucial to collecting information about the group -- its patchwork theology, fundamental goals, recruitment methods, techniques for controling members, etc. Groups can vary markedly. We have encountered issues as volatile as sex-enslavement, psychological and physical abuse, drug-running, criminal financial operations, gun-running, political corruption, and even hit teams dispatched against us. Understanding the fundamental operating assumptions of such groups is made easier by the fact that usually their surface weirdness and complexity is usually traceable to groups and movements which are widely known. Among AFF/CAN ranks one can often find information that enhances one's understanding of such groups -- taped material, clipping files, scholarly libraries, and personal recollection. We have also used, and will discuss, the use of general, academic, specialty, and private libraries, public and private databases, the Congressional Research Service, private investigators, and public intelligence tools.In closing, we will summarize our efforts to provide a coherent catalogue of existing services and will share our thoughts on what is still needed.x" ' "20(933yw15\15060(>%'\SOFT FONT:AC-TmsRmn 10 MedSOFT FONT:AC-TmsRmn 14 BldC:\Q&A\HPLASERJ.FNT