The Jerusalem Post reported last week on a report issued by a special task force of Israel's Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs that focuses on activities of religious cults in Israel. The study was undertaken after authorities last year arrested 60-year old polygamist Goel Ratzon. A raid on his compound led to charges against him of rape and incest, and provision of rehabilitative treatment for Ratzon's 17 wives and 39 children. The Ministry's new 48-page report recommends defining a cult as a group that converges around one person or idea and adopts thought and behavior-controlling methods. It also recommends creation of a new national agency that will immediately intervene in cult activities, and the creation of a hot line for reporting of cults. The report contains recommendations on preventing individuals from joining cults, early intervention and rehabilitative therapy. The report says that 80 to 100 other cult groups are operating in Israel.
Joseph Grieboski, founder of the Institute on Religion and Public Policy, published an opinion piece yesterday at Huffington Post strongly criticizing the task force report, charging: "The Report derogatorily grouped together as so-called "cults" or "sects" approximately 80 belief systems and contains a blueprint for systematic, government-fueled intolerance directed at minority religious communities throughout Israel."
