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  ICSA Positions and Policies

International Cultic Studies Association (Formerly AFF, American Family Foundation)

The International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) is an interdisciplinary network of academicians, professionals, former group members, and families who study and educate the public about social-psychological influence and control, authoritarianism, and zealotry in cultic groups, alternative movements, and other environments. Founded in 1979 as AFF (American Family Foundation), ICSA took on its current name in late 2004 to better reflect the organization's focus and increasingly international and scholarly dimensions.  ICSA is guided by a distinguished Board of Directors and Executive Advisory Board.

ICSA believes that the issues it studies are complex and multidisciplinary and, consequently, demand an openness to the expression and consideration of diverse viewpoints.  ICSA rarely takes a formal position on specific issues, preferring to encourage people who contribute to  ICSA's boards, committees, conferences, publications, or other research and educational activities to articulate individual opinions, which colleagues and others may comment upon.  ICSA believes that such dialogue is a vital part of the pursuit of truth.

An opinion can only be considered to be the position of  ICSA when the Board of Directors has formally passed a resolution making it  ICSA's position.

Because of  ICSA's emphasis on dialogue and the encouragement of diverse points of view, all opinions expressed by individuals associated with  ICSA should be interpreted as that person's private opinion and should not be assumed to reflect a position of the organization. Neither should the expression of private individual opinions, even those of directors or staff, be perceived as necessarily representing any kind of consensus opinion within the organization.

 

Updated on 6 February 2005 to reflect name change from AFF to ICSA.

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