Introduction to Inaugural Issue

Cultic Studies Review, Volume 1, Number 1, 2002, pages 1-2

Introduction to Inaugural Issue

Michael D. Langone, Ph.D.

Executive Director, AFF

AFF is proud to announce Cultic Studies Review: An Internet Journal of Research, News & Opinion (CSR - online ISSN: 1539-0160). AFF will continue to inform its supporters who are not online by publishing this triennial, bound, print version of CSR (CSR – print ISSN: 1539-1052). The new periodical merges and expands AFF’s Cult Observer, Cultic Studies Journal, and Cults and Society. The free electronic newsletter, AFF News Briefs, will complement Cultic Studies Review.

Current subscribers of the Cult Observer and/or Cultic Studies Journal and/or Cults and Society will receive the new periodical, which will, especially online, include more news and articles than were published in the old periodicals. By taking over the functions of these three periodicals, CSR is able to offer peer-reviewed, scholarly articles, news on groups and topics (e.g., children and cultic groups), opinion columns, personal accounts of ex-members, and high quality articles for laypersons.

The first online issue is a free examination copy. This inaugural print version is sent to current subscribers of AFF periodicals. The final issues of Cult Observer and Cultic Studies Journal were mailed in late January and late February 2002, respectively. Number 2 of CSR is expected to be ready in July 2002.

Cultic Studies Review’s interest areas include a family of related yet distinct phenomena (described in an essay posted on www.cultinfobooks.com and www.csj.org, “The Definitional Ambiguity of “Cult” and AFF’s Mission”), as well as practical responses to concerns people have about these phenomena. Thus, Cultic Studies Review provides information on cults, psychological manipulation, psychological abuse, spiritual abuse, brainwashing, mind control, thought reform, abusive churches, extremism, totalistic groups, authoritarian groups, new religious movements, charisma, alternative and mainstream religions, group dynamics, exit counseling, recovery, and practical suggestions for families, individuals, helping professionals, clergy, journalists, researchers, students, educators, and others interested in these topics.

This inaugural issue includes a history of AFF in order to give subscribers and interested readers a clearer idea of what AFF has accomplished over the years, what its goals are for the future, and how CSR relates to AFF’s broader mission.

Articles available on the online version of CSR (www.culticstudiesreview.org), but not available in this print version include:

Reflecting on Cultural Diversity in Response to Cultic Activity

Herbert L. Rosedale, Esq.

Twenty-Five Years Observing Cults: An American Perspective

Marcia R. Rudin

Psychogroups and Cults in Denmark

Deacon Robert Kronberg, B.Th. & Kristina Lindebjerg, B.Th.

Cult-related Problems in Switzerland: Annual Report 2000 of info-Sekta and Reflections on Governmental Cult Policies

Susanne Schaaf

Questions from the Balcony: A Critique of Dick Anthony

Herbert L. Rosedale, Esq.

Seeking Accurate Information: Part I - A Sketch of Currently Available Popular and Professional Books on Cultic and Related Groups

Peter T. Malinoski, Ph.D.

Book Review: Coping with Cult Involvement by Livia Bardin

Doni Whitsett, Ph.D.

If you would like to access future issues of CSR online, please make sure we have your up-to-date e-mail address so that we can send you AFF News Briefs, our free electronic newsletter, which will announce future issues of CSR.

Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2002, Page