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| CESNUR has been heavily criticized by the ] and the anti-cult movement including some former members of ]. Counter cult activist ] of the Apologetics Index describes it as having " gained a reputation for being mostly uncritical and, in fact, supportive of movements considered to be cults by secular anticult- and/or Christian countercult professionals." It has also been alleged that Introvigne has links with ] and other right-wing organizations. | CESNUR has been heavily criticized by the ] and the anti-cult movement including some former members of ]. Counter cult activist ] of the Apologetics Index describes it as having " gained a reputation for being mostly uncritical and, in fact, supportive of movements considered to be cults by secular anticult- and/or Christian countercult professionals." It has also been alleged that Introvigne has links with ] and other right-wing organizations. | ||
| CESNUR sponsor yearly conferences. Conferences have been held inter alia at the ] (1993 and 2001), the Federal University of ] in ], ](1994), the ] (1995), the ] (1996), the ] (1997), the Industrial Union in ](1998), the ] in ] (1999), the ] in ] (2000), the] and ] (2002), and the ] (2003). | CESNUR sponsor yearly conferences in the field new religions. Conferences have been held inter alia at the ] (1993 and 2001), the Federal University of ] in ], ](1994), the ] (1995), the ] (1996), the ] (1997), the Industrial Union in ](1998), the ] in ] (1999), the ] in ] (2000), the] and ] (2002), and the ] (2003). | ||
| *CESNUR affiliated scholars include | *CESNUR affiliated scholars include | ||
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Revision as of 03:12, 12 September 2004
CESNUR is a center for studies on new religions, based in Turin, Italy. It was established in 1988 by a group of religious scholars from leading universities in Europe and the Americas, working in the field of new religious movements. Its director is the Italian attorney Massimo Introvigne. CESNUR claims to be independent of any religious group, church, denomination or association.
They say they are devoted to promote scholarly research in the field of new religious consciousnes, and dedicated to to expose thel problems associated with some movements, and at the same time defending the principles of religious liberty. The work of CESNUR is financed by royalties on the books it publishes and from contributions from its members. The CESNUR is non-profit oublic entity, registeredin the Region of Piedmont, Italy.
CESNUR gives a greater weight to religious freedom than anti-cult activists and is critical about concepts like mind control, thought reform, and brainwashing asserting that they lack scientific and scholarly support and are mainly based on anecdotal evidence.
CESNUR has been heavily criticized by the Christian countercult movement and the anti-cult movement including some former members of purported cults. Counter cult activist Anton Hein of the Apologetics Index describes it as having " gained a reputation for being mostly uncritical and, in fact, supportive of movements considered to be cults by secular anticult- and/or Christian countercult professionals." It has also been alleged that Introvigne has links with Alleanza Cattolica and other right-wing organizations.
CESNUR sponsor yearly conferences in the field new religions. Conferences have been held inter alia at the London School of Economics (1993 and 2001), the Federal University of Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil (1994), the State University of Rome (1995), the University of Montreal (1996), the Free University of Amsterdam (1997), the Industrial Union in Turin (1998), the Bryn Athyn College in Pennsylvania (1999), the University of Latvia in Riga (2000), theUniversity of Utah and Brigham Young University (2002), and the University of Vilnius (2003).
- CESNUR affiliated scholars include
- Eileen Barker, professor in sociology at the London School of Economics
- Reender Kranenborg of the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam
- late Jeffrey Hadden of the University of Virginia
- J. Gordon Melton of the Institute for the Study of American Religion (ISAR)
External links
Sites critical of CESNUR:
Category: