Translation of the French part pertaining to the School of Economic Science into English, of the 1997 Belgian Parliament report on cults. I've compared the text to the Dutch language part because that is easier for me and made a few changes to fit the Dutch text more closely at some points. The [xxx] -313 /7 -95 /96 indicate the page nummers of the report, other [ ]'s or my additons in the text.
[ 133 ] -313 /7 -95 /96 Certain groups wait a very long time before disclosing their real intentions and prepare little by little those interested for the ritual initiation ceremony (eg. The School of Philosophy). Not all the persons contacted become members (according to Eileen Barker, 3 out of every 10,000 persons become members in the case of the Association for the Unification of Christ Worldwide) [Unification Church/Moonies]. Others leave the sect after a certain time. Those that become totally involved are the only ones that meet problems. It is those sects that live in communes or those that isolate their members which cause the largest numbers of complaints. The social background of adepts varies considerably. [ 302 ] -313 /7 -95 /96 The School of Philosophy. The School of Philosophy was founded in 1837 [this is incorrect, the 'School' exists since the thirties of this century] created in England by M.A. MacLaren under the name of 'School for Economic Science' and can be found in France, Holland, Malta as well as Belgium. They seem to be mainly interested in people from a privileged background. Contact with the movement operates by intermediary of courses held for the introduction to philosophy spread over 6 trimesters with the courses being 2 hours weekly. It is possible to stop after the first cycle of 12 lessons. Publicity in Belgium for the courses can be found in the Flemish newspaper Standaard and the French League of Famillies or in cultural revue papers in Antwerp. According to one witness, the courses he followed were given initially at the St Ignacious University of Antwerp [l’UFSIA (Université Saint Ignace d’Anvers) / UFSIA (Universitaire Faculteit)]. After 4 or 5 lessons he was invited to a town house in Antwerp. These lessons appear to be held at present in St Thomas Street in Antwerp several times a week. The witness indicated that during the first year of courses about 30 students were present and he had no idea whatsoever that he was dealing with a sect like organisation. During the second year, the instructor known as the tutor, started to aboard such topics as levitation and very advanced concentration exercises were being practised which with hindsight seemed to have undertones. According to the witness, the role of the tutor is central in the process. He incites the students to listen and to open up but refuses to allow any criticism about others and certainly not about the movement. On top of that, any questions raised that are too probing or inquisitive, the answers are continually postponed. During the second year each student received their own 'mantra' which is a phonetic sound that must be repeated hundreds, even thousands of times until complete saturation. At this point certain 'students' started to doubt the real objective of the lessons and had the impression that their inner spirit was being 'drained' before being replaced by something new. The witness also indicated that the tutor tried to instil in the group a feeling of superiority: there are those that possess the truth and those that remain in the shadows. Other than that no particular divinity is evoked; the organisation refers to a principle of creation, a 'huge light' coloured by perceptions of several oriental sages. An 'initiation' ceremony takes place at the end of the 2nd year of the cycle; it concerns only half the number of students that initially enroled at the being of the course. [The Dutch ex-member state that the 'initation' was "after a few weeks before the third trimester would end"] The ceremony is of Hindu inspiration: there is a reading from sanscrit texts, flower petals are strewn, the photograph of an unknown but 'honourable' person is venerated [the Dutch ex-member told that it was the picture of Shankaracharya] and joss sticks are used. One witness declared having been approached to bring for his initiation the following : a white handkerchief, a fruit and a 1/4 of his monthly salary. It is not until after their initiation ceremony that followers are truly integrated into the sect. It starts with being asked to attend courses more frequently, during the third year certain members are requested to serve coffee to the 1st and 2nd year students. During the 4th year they are instructed to clean the premises during the weekend. During the 5th year of studies there is a course aimed at females. They are made to believe that they are inferior to men, that they should be sub-servient to men. They are told how long they should breast feed their offspring for and how frequently they can enjoy sexual relations. If they follow these instructions they are told that for their re-incarnation they will be men. According to the witness this clearly shows the desire of the organisation (sect) to dominate the adepts & their lives. Adhesion to the group causes several followers to become totally disinterested in their family and home. The witness reported sexual abuse towards young children. The financial arm of the sect is more relaxed; it appears to be fed by generous donators among whom is a very wealthy Dutch banker, M.Van Oyen. Articles in the newspapers or monthly magazines refer to divorces, nervous breakdowns and suicides after following the courses of 'School of Philosophy'. The work entitled 'Secret Cult' contains testimonies from people who were deceived by the movement in England.