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| Abbreviation | NEIRR |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1991 |
| Location | |
| Executive Director | Robert Pardon |
| Website | http://www.neirr.org/ |
NNew England Institute of Religious Research (NEIRR) is an anti-cult ministry located in Massachusetts which assists religious and non-religious groups to find information on controversial cultic organizations. The organization also runs a retreat center called the Meadow Haven Retreat and Recovery Center.
Organization
Research institute
New England Institute of Religious Research was co-founded by George Mather, coauthor of Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and the Occult, along with Robert Pardon. The organization was founded with the intention to provide "training in ministering to those caught up in such destructive groups". The Boston Herald described Pardon as "a cult deprogrammer". Pardon is a former pastor.
In 1993, Mather served as the organization's co-director, and in 2005 as its director. Pardon's article on determining when Bible study can degrade into a destructive cult was cited in the book When Prayer Fails. Pardon served as director of the organization in 1999. In 2000, Pardon served as the court-appointed guardian for 13 children of a religious sect in Attleboro, Massachusetts. The Institute worked with former members of the Attleboro sect, and in order to gain insight into the group, Pardon studied the sect's diaries. Attleboro District Court Judge Kenneth Nasif appointed Pardon to serve as guardian ad litem for the children that were previously removed from the group. Pardon and the Institute has extensively studied the new religious movement, Twelve Tribes.
Treatment center
In 1999, the New England Institute of Religious Research purchased a nursing home in Lakeville, Massachusetts, intended to serve as a treatment center for up to 25 former members of cults. Pardon told The Boston Globe that residents will be given three months to reacclimate themselves to society and their families after leaving controversial groups. Other than this facility, as of 1999 the only other two such locations of treatment centers for individuals leaving cults include Wellspring in Ohio, and Odenwald Residence in Leibenstadt, Germany – both of which maintain treatment programs of two-weeks in duration.
The treatment center, called Meadow Haven, utilizes a three-pronged approach to recovery. First, individuals are assisted in identifying their religious problems and setting goals for recovery. Next, the treatment center helps them understand the dangers of being a member in a cult, and learn methods to put their life back together. Then, the final phase includes improving one's self-esteem, developing ways to reenter the community, and building a focus towards the future. Full recovery can take up to six months, though according to Pardon after a month at the treatment center individuals begin to feel better. As of 2005, Pardon served as the director of Meadow Haven.
Commentary
—Chicago Sun-Times"...the New England Institute of Religious Research, a clearinghouse for cult information in Massachusetts".
The Chicago Sun-Times described the Institute as "a clearinghouse for cult information in Massachusetts". The Buffalo News cited the Institute for research on a controversial group known as "the Community", noting it performed "an in-depth study" of the group. The Boston Herald also cited the Institute's research, on a controversial sect in Attleboro, Massachusetts. The Associated Press described the institute as "an anti-cult organization". The Institute is referenced as a resource for information on religious groups, in books including The Cult Next Door, Reflected Truth, Twisted Scriptures, and When Prayer Fails.
See also
References
- Mcnamara, Eileen (2002-2-3). "INVESTIGATOR ON A MISSION". Boston Globe. Globe Newspaper Company. pp. B1. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "About NEIRR". New England Institute of Religious Research. www.neirr.org. July 7, 2006. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
- ^ Burchard, Elizabeth R. (2005). The Cult Next Door. Ace Academics. p. 349. ISBN 1576333000.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - Blobaum, Melodee Hall (August 16, 1997). "Christ Lutheran Church presents lectures on cults California minister is considered a national expert on sects, New Age beliefs and the occult". The Kansas City Star. The Kansas City Star Co. p. 6.
- ^ Dalton, Matt (2005). Presumed Guilty. Atria. p. 106. ISBN 0743286952.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Eileen, McNamara (February 3, 2002). "Investigator on a Mission". The Boston Globe. Globe Newspaper Company. p. B1.
- Wedge, Dave (September 25, 2003). "Trial judge rules cult mom is sane". Boston Herald.
- ^ Falsani, Cathleen (March 25, 2004). "Ex-Wheaton students flee what they call 'definitely evil' cult". Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago Sun-Times, Inc. p. 8.
- The Naperville Sun staff (April 1, 2004). "College responds to reports of cult activity by former student". The Naperville Sun. p. 10.
- White, Cecil Holmes (March 6, 1993). "Obsessions with the end of time - History replete with cults". Houston Chronicle. p. 1.
- ^ Peters, Shawn Francis (2007). When Prayer Fails. Oxford University Press, USA. p. 235. ISBN 978-0195306354.
- Griffith, Chris (August 22, 1999). "Suffer the Little Children". The Sunday Mail. p. 014.
- Lewis, Raphael (October 25, 2000). "Some Say Religious Sect Walls Crumbling". The Boston Globe. Globe Newspaper Company. p. A20.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - Kurtz, Michele (August 22, 2002). "Sect Mother was Being Controlled, Lawyer Says". The Boston Globe. Globe Newspaper Company. p. B1.
- Kurtz, Michele (June 21, 2002). "A Case of Jealousy - Aunt of Child in Sect Case Envied Looks of Boy's Mother, Prosecutors Believe". The Boston Globe. Globe Newspaper Company. p. B1.
- Stockman, Farah (November 26, 2000). "The Sect - Led by Father's Religious Zeal, Family Spurned Society's Rules". The Boston Globe. Globe Newspaper Company. p. B1.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Farmer, Tom (October 26, 2000). "Report: Group with `benign origin' got dangerous". Boston Herald.
- Folstad, Kim (December 2, 2000). "Life on the Farm". The Palm Beach Post. Palm Beach Newspapers, Inc. p. 1D.
- Wedge, Dave (September 4, 2001). "The Cult Next Door - Twelve Tribes' practices, beliefs brought to light". Boston Herald.
- ^ Hart, Jordana (August 25, 1999). "A New Refuge for Walkaways Center to Aid Ex-Members of Cults". The Boston Globe. Globe Newspaper Company. p. B1.
- ^ Kandarian, Paul E. (April 4, 2004). "Helping People Live Cult-Free Lives - Lakeville Facility Gives Clients the Tools to Readjust to Society". The Boston Globe. Globe Newspaper Company. p. 1.
- Dreher, Christopher (October 23, 2005). "The Doomsday Prophets on Main Street". The Boston Globe. Globe Newspaper Company. p. 26, Magazine section.
- Warner, Gene (June 20, 1997). "Some See Hamburg Commune as Threat to Family Ties". The Buffalo News. p. A1.
- Warner, Gene (May 21, 2000). "Uncompromising Vision - Sameness Spoils Commune Life for Ex-Member". The Buffalo News. p. B1.
- Lindsay, Jay (Associated Press) (October 26, 2000). "Custody lure for sect case informant - Corneau broke ranks to see his 3 children". Bangor Daily News.
- Daniel, Joan F. (1996). Reflected Truth. Research & Information Services. p. 441. ISBN 0963941933.
- Chrnalogar, Mary Alice (2000). Twisted Scriptures. Zondervan. p. 261. ISBN 0310234085.
External links
- New England Institute of Religious Research, official website