Arnold Markowitz
Encyclopedia
Arnold Markowitz is a Jewish American social worker, psychotherapist, and "cult
" critic and researcher. He is the Director of the Cult Hot Line and Clinic of the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services in New York City
. Markowitz also serves as Director of Brooklyn Adolescent Service, also known as "Break-Free Adolescent Services".
In 1986, Markowitz was honored with the "Jonestown Memorial Award", which is given in memory of victims of People's Temple tragedy in Jonestown
, Guyana
. He was credited with founding the Cult Hotline and Clinic of the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services. Philip D. Abramowitz, Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council’s Task Force on Missionaries and Cults, was also honored with the Jonestown Memorial Award.
Markowitz is a founding member of the Interfaith Coalition of Concern About Cults, and is a member of the Task Force on Missionaries and Cults, Jewish Relations Council. He is a staff member of the Martha K. Selig Institute.
In 1994, Markowitz was appointed by the Old Cult Awareness Network
as the Chairperson of the FOCUS committee (FOrmer CUltist Support Network).
According to Markowitz: "The difference between a cult and a non-destructive group lies in the deception cults use to lure members".
He further elaborated on this in a statement in 2001 to The Oregonian, stating that: "a group constitutes a destructive cult when it also has a self-appointed, charismatic leader who controls the daily lives of members."
Markowitz went on, stating the specific nature in which the cult leader can potentially take advantage of his/her followers: "These characteristics are geared toward taking advantage of, or abusing, people sexually or financially or for emotional or personal aggrandizement of the leader or leadership."
Media
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
" critic and researcher. He is the Director of the Cult Hot Line and Clinic of the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Markowitz also serves as Director of Brooklyn Adolescent Service, also known as "Break-Free Adolescent Services".
In 1986, Markowitz was honored with the "Jonestown Memorial Award", which is given in memory of victims of People's Temple tragedy in Jonestown
Jonestown
Jonestown was the informal name for the Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, an intentional community in northwestern Guyana formed by the Peoples Temple led by Jim Jones. It became internationally notorious when, on November 18, 1978, 918 people died in the settlement as well as in a nearby...
, Guyana
Guyana
Guyana , officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, previously the colony of British Guiana, is a sovereign state on the northern coast of South America that is culturally part of the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana was a former colony of the Dutch and of the British...
. He was credited with founding the Cult Hotline and Clinic of the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services. Philip D. Abramowitz, Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council’s Task Force on Missionaries and Cults, was also honored with the Jonestown Memorial Award.
Markowitz is a founding member of the Interfaith Coalition of Concern About Cults, and is a member of the Task Force on Missionaries and Cults, Jewish Relations Council. He is a staff member of the Martha K. Selig Institute.
In 1994, Markowitz was appointed by the Old Cult Awareness Network
Cult Awareness Network
The Cult Awareness Network was founded in the wake of the November 18, 1978 deaths of members of the group Peoples Temple and assassination of Congressman Leo J. Ryan in Jonestown, Guyana. CAN is now owned and operated by associates of the Church of Scientology, an organization that the original...
as the Chairperson of the FOCUS committee (FOrmer CUltist Support Network).
According to Markowitz: "The difference between a cult and a non-destructive group lies in the deception cults use to lure members".
He further elaborated on this in a statement in 2001 to The Oregonian, stating that: "a group constitutes a destructive cult when it also has a self-appointed, charismatic leader who controls the daily lives of members."
Markowitz went on, stating the specific nature in which the cult leader can potentially take advantage of his/her followers: "These characteristics are geared toward taking advantage of, or abusing, people sexually or financially or for emotional or personal aggrandizement of the leader or leadership."
Education
- Yeshiva UniversityYeshiva UniversityYeshiva University is a private university in New York City, with six campuses in New York and one in Israel. Founded in 1886, it is a research university ranked as 45th in the US among national universities by U.S. News & World Report in 2012...
, M.S.W. - Empire State CollegeEmpire State CollegeEmpire State College, one of the thirteen arts and science colleges of the State University of New York, is a multi-site institution offering associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. It is primarily oriented towards the adult learner...
, B.S.Bachelor of ScienceA Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
Awards
- "Margaret SingerMargaret SingerDr. Margaret Thaler Singer, was a clinical psychologist and a part-time Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, U.S....
Award, International Cultic Studies AssociationInternational Cultic Studies AssociationThe International Cultic Studies Association , formerly the American Family Foundation, describes itself as an "interdisciplinary network of academicians, professionals, former group members, and families who study and educate the public about social-psychological influence and control,...
, 2006, for "26 Years of Helping Families and Ex-members" - Jonestown Memorial Award, 1986
Articles
- "Cults and Children: The Abuse of the Young", Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 1, No. 2, Arnold Markowitz, with David A. HalperinDavid A. HalperinDavid A. Halperin was an American psychiatrist, editor and author. Dr. Halperin was Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Halperin, was a published poet and also the editor of Psychodynamic Perspectives on Religion, Sect, and Cult, as well as other...
, M.D.Doctor of MedicineDoctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools... - Residential Treatment: The Potential for Cultic Evolution, Arnold Markowitz, David A. Halperin, M.D., Cultic Studies Journal
Presentations
- Cults and Terrorism: Understanding Indoctrination, By Arnold Markowitz, LCSW, Presented at the November 3, 2002 Cult Information Service conference in Newark, NJ.
- The Extent of Satanism Among Adolescents, By Arnold Markowitz, LCSW, Cult Hotline & Clinic
- Is Osama Bin Laden or Al Qaeda a Cult, By Arnold Markowitz, LCSW, Fall 2001 at the Jewish Community Relations Council conference held at New York UniversityNew York UniversityNew York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, Hillel Bronfman Center - AFF Annual Conference: Children and Cults, May 29–31, 1998 – Philadelphia, PA
- "Treatment Issues; Cults: Theory and Treatment Issues", Conference, May 30, 1997 Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
External links
- Cult Hotline and Clinic, Resources, papers, presentations by Arnold Markowitz, M.S.W.
- Profile, Cultic Studies Journal
Media
- Outside Critics Are Unacceptable, The Buffalo NewsThe Buffalo NewsThe Buffalo News is the primary newspaper of the Buffalo – Niagara Falls metropolitan area, and the area's only daily newspaper. It is the only newspaper owned by Berkshire Hathaway.-History:...
, February 2, 2005, by Mark Sommer - Cult watchdogs and mental health professionals warn public about Sri Chinmoy, summary, "Cults attract by default," Washington Jewish WeekWashington Jewish WeekWashington Jewish Week is an award-winning independent community weekly newspaper whose logo reads, "Serving the nation's capital and the greater Washington Jewish community since 1930." Its main office is located in Rockville, Maryland, a Maryland suburb of the District of Columbia.Over the...
, April 1, 1993 - Party Just Like a Cult, Experts Say, Newsday, November 17, 1996, By Jerry Markon
- New Cult 2 Story (Minneapolis), The Minnesota Daily, November 15, 1993, Allie Shah.
- Let's prey Targeting the Elderly, "Ripe for the Picking", Cult Awareness and Information Centre
- Small 'cottage cults' drawing more converts in United States, The OregonianThe OregonianThe Oregonian is the major daily newspaper in Portland, Oregon, owned by Advance Publications. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper on the U.S. west coast, founded as a weekly by Thomas J. Dryer on December 4, 1850...
, July 16, 2001, Richard Read - Relationships, The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, June 8, 1981