Cultic Studies "Where totalism exists, a religion, a political movement, or even a scientific organization becomes little more than an exclusive cult." Dr. Robert Lifton Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism

	Cultic Studies Resources
	Terms, theories and models used in Cultic Studies Links to news sources and cult experts The International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) Karen's 2010 ICSA presentation page
	WATCH VIDEO of ICSA attendees: Cult expert and author Steve Hassan with ex-Scientologists Karen Pressley and anti-cult activist and attorney Paul Grosswald
	Scientology Cultic Studies page News - Exes links - Headlines Karen's media interviews as a Scientology critic
	Cultic Studies articles by Karen
	Abstract, "Not In My Back Yard: Cults, Communities, Concerns" - a paper in progress to be presented at the Georgia Sociological Association, October 2010. Boeri, M. and Pressley, K. "Creativity and Cults from Sociological and Communication Perspectives: The Processes Involved in the Birth of a Secret Creative Self." Cultic Studies Review, (forthcoming August 2010). Vol 9, No. 1, pp. 1 - 40.. Book summary - John Lardas' The Bop Apocalypse - The Religious Visions of Kerouac, Ginsberg, and Burroughs (with notes on Burroughs as an ex-Scientologist) "Christian Science: A Religious Matrix" Excerpt from my upcoming book, Experiencing Creativity: A case study of my Scientology experiences at Celebrity Centre and International Management that show how Scientology suppresses creativity "Illness and Medical Treatment from Scientology and Christian Science Perspectives: A Colntrast and Comparison of Views" Interview with Janja Lalich,Ph.D., author, cult expert, and associate professor of sociology, University of California at Chico: "Cadre Fighter Becomes Repairer of the Soul" - Interview will be published in Karen's forthcoming book, Experiencing Creativity: Breaking Free from Spiritual Abuse and the Emergence of the Creative Self. "Out of Scientology's Labyrinth." (2008). Areopagus Journal. Birmingham, AL.: Apologetics Resource Center. Originally published at North American Mission Board Interfaith & Apologetics website, www.4truth.net "Scientology from a Christian Perspective" "Silencing the Voices: The Church of Scientology's Justifications in Keeping Its Critics Quiet." Terms, theories, models of Cultic Studies - compilation

Karen's engagement in Cultic Studies

My interest in Cultic Studies is as a communication specialist--researching, writing, and speaking. As a former Scientologist of 16 years when my communication was controlled and suppressed by the totalist structure of church management, I have since kindled a passion for freedom of speech and the importance of creativity in freedom of expression.

In my writing, I draw from personal experience and study the works of researchers, practitioners, case studies, and personal accounts from other ex-cult members.

I focus on the application of communication theory to bring further insight into occurences such as how cult rhetoric affects creativity, how it is used to justify human rights violations, how it affects the power dynamics of cult life, and its use in abusive tactics of authoritarian cult leaders that harm members.

I also maintain an interest in women's growth in the context of dealing with the misuse of power in relationships marked by coercive control that may oppress women's creativity.

Please read the About Karen Pressley page that describes at greater length what prompted my interest in this field, and gives an overview of my background and accomplishments since I disconnected from the coercive group of Scientology.

 

NEWS

Read Karen's ICSA speaker profile See the powerpoint presentation See ICSA's session description Flier, "The Impact of Cults on Creativity" and "The Hegemonic Communication Model"	July 1-3, 2010, the International Cultic Studies Association hosted their annual conference, "Psychological Manipulation, Cultic Groups, and Harm" in New York City. Karen co-presented a paper she co-authored with Dr. Miriam Boeri about how cults suppress creativity, how suppressions affects the member's identity, and the options a member has to express original thought: “The Hegemonic Communication Model: The Power Dynamics in the Emergence of a Secret Creative Self“
	This presentation is based on the authors' article, "Creativity and Cults from Sociological and Communication Perspectives: The Processes Involved in the Birth of a Secret Creative Self" in a forthcoming 2010 issue of Cultic Studies Review, "The Last Draw - Cults and Creativity," pp. 1-40. Authors Miriam Boeri and Karen Pressley explore the process of personal renaissance through the emergence of one's secret creative self out of the trappings of authoritarian religions, specifically those known as cults. Some religious groups have honored and praised artists and the arts as a means to lure recruits into their ranks. Sometimes this is done in the name of changing the world by injecting aesthetics into the culture--only to lead the faithful into a subtle lair where leaders manipulate creative expression for their personal benefit or the "sake of the group." In a cultic environment, the processes of creativity development and suppression are more easily detectable since the acts of suppression are often more openly expressed and the acts of creation are more often controlled. In this paper, the authors explore the phases in this process. Boeri and Pressley use their own case studies as former members of the Children of God (Family of Love) and the Church of Scientology. These first-person accounts describe their experiences in authoritarian cults and explore the power dynamics of total institutions that constrain members' creativity. They identify turning points that influenced their decisions to reject or accept the cult's practices, and their discovery of the emergence of a secret creative self once they were out of the cult. The paper employs interrelated sociological and cultural studies theories to explore the processes involved, including a symbolic interactionist understanding of self. Pressley and Boeri present their development of the creative self and secret creative self (figure 1) using the symbolic interaction theory as they uniquely applied to a cult environment. They also presented their development of the "Hegemonic Communication Model" (figure 2) that illustrates the thought process a cult member may use to cope with power, hegemony, sovereignty, and the creative self. They hope that a more thorough examination of this process will better help others to detect destructive religious practices and help former members to break free from legalism (Scientology is a totalitarian, legalistic organization) that suppresses creativity and free thought.
About Dana Wehle x See flier describing Dana's topic About the New York Cult Hotline and Clinic at 212-632-4640	Our presentation was preceded by a paper from Dana Wehle, L.C.S.W. “The Impact of Cults on Creativity: Psychological, Sociological Aesthetic/Philosophical Views”

 

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