GC30 Mind Control and Pseudo Religions (1984M315)

Faith Base

Jesus called persons into freedom from coercion and enslavement, and through the cross and resurrection delivers us from evil powers. The Bible tells us to be discerning of false prophets and doctrines.  Preying on the human spirit, mind control is based on fear and guilt.

WHEREAS there are thousands of groups using mind control techniques on this continent such as the Unification Church, Hare Krishna, Body of Christ, Scientology, Way International and more, to enslave persons of all ages;

WHEREAS families are being disrupted and broken by members being affected by mind control;

WHEREAS individuals are being broken spiritually, psychologically and physically-sometimes permanently-by mind control;

WHEREAS these groups prey on persons who are vulnerable because the victims are searching for meaning and belonging;

WHEREAS the victims are often young people who were once university and technical graduates, hardworking, bright, idealistic;

WHEREAS information and public education can act as a deterrent to the growth of mind-control organizations;

WHEREAS the attempt to rescue a victim of a mind control group violates the civil rights and liberties of the individual;

WHEREAS there are heavy costs resulting for our society in the damage done to once productive members of society;

WHEREAS the public generally appears unaware of the phenomenon of mind-control and neo-religious groups;

WHEREAS there is a network of families, former victims and interested people across this continent working in the field of mind-control, in disseminating information, raising awareness, deprogramming and supporting victims and their families, such as Saskatchewan Citizens Against Mind Control (SCAMC), and the Toronto-based Council on Mind Abuse (COMA);

WHEREAS the church has the potential resources to provide leadership for deprogramming those who have been held by a “cult”;

WHEREAS present laws regarding kidnapping and forcible detention of mind-control victims do not provide protection for those who wish to rescue a loved one from a “cult”;

WHEREAS conservatorship laws are inadequate to provide for the rescue of a victim belonging to a pseudo-religious group because under present regulations the group has to be forewarned of the action:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the 30th General Council:

1. Instruct the Division of Mission in Canada to undertake an in-depth study into pseudo-religious organizations involved in mind control, the reason for their growth in our society and ways by which the church at large can prevent their growth and influence and the role of conservatorship laws and how they may need to be amended.

2. Instruct the Division of Mission in Canada to assist the church at large in defining mind control in relation to the question of human rights and civil liberties.

3. Instruct the Division of Mission in Canada to embark on a program of informing the church at large about the nature and operations of mind control groups and how they have affected the lives of individuals, families and communities.

4. Encourage conferences, presbyteries, and pastoral charges to work in close cooperation with the network of citizens’ groups that work against mind control.

5. Instruct the Division of Ministry Personnel and Education to encourage its colleges and training centres to provide programs on the phenomenon of mind control, de-programming techniques and counselling of families and victims.

6. Urge the federal government to work with all the provincial governments to enable a national standard in conservatorship laws that will apply to those members of the families and/or support groups who wish to rescue and help a loved one who is a member of a psycho-coercive organization.

GC30 1984 ROP, pp. 108-109, 520