freedom of conscience

Janine Tavernier  «We must dinstinguish between religious movements and real sects”

Article published November 17, 2006
Points collected by Xavier Ternisien
Source : “Le Monde”

You are a figure in the fight agains sects.  While writing a book (Order on Sects, Amorc editions)  You denounce the “derived from” the associations that aren’t sects.
Why ?

I presided over Unadfi (National union of associations in defense of families and individuals victimized by sects.) from 1993 to 2001.  When I began in 1984, the association  didn’t take up beliefs nor philosophies, but only people.  I have always had as a principle that we leave our beliefs at the door and should only be interested in the facts.

Today, I worry when *I hear that the president of Unadfi, Catherine Picard , is to criticize at the Meeting of “Evangelist churchs” without discrimination.

Yet, Unadfi has been reproached for being an association of catholic inspiration, with comparisons with the CCMM (Center against mental manipulations).  Labeledas ¨rationilists¨.  Is that accurate ?

The association was founded by people of catholic orginie, however open., I wished to go toward even greater openness.

Little by little, many freemasons entered Unadfi, which gave them a coloration it did not have in the beginning.  The assoication was foundded by families touched by the entourage of phenomenon sects.  Today I have the feeling it has become political.

Why did you leave the presidency of Unadfi ?

In 2001, I felt like we were becoming engaged in witch hunts, many slips were made.  I was approched to put my children in the Steiner school, which to this day, I don’t regret.  Alain Vivien, the president of Interdepartmental Mission fight against sects (MILS), began attacking anthroposophy which is what inspired the Steiner schools.

For my part, I have no philosophical, dogmatic, political or religious ties.  I am free and this is what bothers everyone!  I barely dare to mention that I heal myself with homeopathy.

How would you judge the action of the Interdepartmental Mission of vigilance and fight agains sects (Miviludes) ?

When Jean-Michel Roulet took the presidency of Miviludes in 2005, I had confidence in him.  Then I saw he had singled the ancient and mystical order of the Rose cross in his 2006 report.  It isn’t very serious.

What do you think of the controversyat the moment between the parliaments and the administration regarding the status of the Jehovah Witnesses.

I had fought for us to be able to distinguish the new religious movements, like the charismatic communities and actual sects.  At that time, things were clearner.  Today it’s hard to tell the difference.  If the work had been taken seriously then things would be clearer.

Regarding the Jehovah Witnesses, I heard many  versions.  The outside world is described as a hell.  It’s sad when a 4 year old girl is asked by her teacher to make a mothers day gift for her mother and the little girl must refuse, because that holiday is prohibited.

The administration figures it isn’t disrupting anything.  However, what I’m asking for is that we take the time for a little reflection rather than simply generalizing and doing an A=A.

I have always been agains the priciple of sect lists.