<<INFORM SEMINAR on FAMILY.doc>>
Here is the preliminary programme for the next INFORM seminar and an
application form for anyone who is interested in attending.
Eileen Barker
Professor of Sociology
London School of Economics Tel: +44 (0) 171 955 7289
Houghton Street Fax: +44 (0) 181 902 2048
London WC2A 2AE e-mail: [log in to unmask]
INFORM SEMINAR XXII
NEW RELIGIONS AND THE FAMILY
Saturday 22 May 1999
London School of Economics, Houghton St, WC2
Preliminary Programme
NB The speakers and the order in which they speak may change slightly
9.00-9.30 Registration and Coffee
9.30-10.00 Professor Eileen Barker, London School of Economics
New Religions and the Family: An Introductory
Overview
10.00-10.30 Reverend Alan Walker, Anglican Priest and Counsellor
Cults in the Family: A Counsellor's Perspective
10.30-11.00 Mrs Audrey Chaytor, Chairwoman of FAIR
Helping Families to Survive
11.00-11.30 Coffee
11.30-11.50 Vishvapani, Member of Friends of the Western Buddhist Order
A Spiritual Alternative to the Nuclear Family
12.50-12.10 Ms Abi Freeman, Member of The Family
The Family in The Family
12.10-12.30 Kripamoya das, ISKCON Member
The Family in the Vaishnava Tradition: Theory and
Practice
12.30-12.50 Mrs Hazel Barlow, Former Unificationist
The Moonie Family: Theory and Practice
12.50-1.10 Discussion
1.10-2.00 Lunch
2.00-2.30 Mrs Rita Barber, Parent of a Unificationist
My Son the Moonie: A 20-year Saga
2.30-3.00 Ms Andri Soteri, Former INFORM Staff; PhD student, LSE
Parents' Reactions when their Child Changes Faith
3.00-3.30 Ms Amanda Van Eck Duymaer van Twist INFORM Staff; PhD
student, LSE
Kids in Cults
3.30-4.00 Tea
4.00-4.30 Ms Lucy Verity, Family Lawyer
Matrimonial and Custody Battles
4.30-5.00 Discussion
EB: 31/3/99
12:13
INFORM Seminar 22 May 1999
New Religions and the Family
What are some of the ideas that alternative religions have about the role of
the family in contemporary life? Is the nuclear family the basic unit that
God intended humans to enjoy - or is it an outmoded and/or destructive
institution? How successful are alternative arrangements such as the
extended family, communal living, 'sharing', and celibacy? What is the
proper relationship between men and women within the family? Who is
responsible for bringing up children - the parents, members with a special
mission, or the community at large? And how they should be brought up -
segregated; in public, home or special schools run by the movement? How far
is theory reflected in the practice of members or new religions and their
leaders?
To what extent might family background determine whether or not someone is
likely to join an alternative religion? What are the different factors that
affect the relationship between a convert and his/her family of origin? How
might this change over time? How are relationships between the other members
of the family affected? What happens when one or more members of a family
leave a movement while others stay inside? What are some of the ways in
which outside agencies ('cult-watching groups', counsellors, lawyers, the
social services etc) try to ameliorate some of the problems that arise?
These are some of the questions that will be addressed during the course of
INFORM's 22nd Seminar. Not all the questions will be answered, of course;
but we hope to offer some food for thought and to further our understanding
about new religious movements and the family.
If you cut off fill in the form and send it with the registration fee (which
is a contribution towards the speakers' travel, the buffet lunch, tea and
coffee, and other incidental expenses) you will be sent further details
about a week before the Seminar.
eb: 29/3/99
cut here
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Please reserve me --___ place(s). I enclose £_____________ as registration
fee standard: £27.50 per person*
full-time students and unwaged: £7.50 per person*
Name(s) (please print clearly):
Address (please print clearly):
post code:
Daytime telephone:
Any special needs:
*delete as necessary
Cheques, made out to 'INFORM', should be sent with this form to Ms Andri
Soteri, INFORM, Houghton St, London WC2A 2AE as soon as possible as places
are limited.
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