CESNUR and other sociologists of New Religious Movements (NRMs) have been quite successful in discrediting the work of many psychology professionals and academics who have studied cults, mind-control, and thought-reform.  It appears that the American Psychological Association (APA) has not conclusively decided as a professional organization that mind-control or coercive persuasion does not happen in destructive religious groups or cults.  But that's not what members of CESNUR claim.

Gordon Melton, Massimo Introvigne and other sociologists of NRMs have used what appeared to be an final assessment by the APA of what was called a final draft of the task force lead by Margaret Singer, in order to provide "proof" of their assertions about mind-control being pseudo-science.  In fact, the APA itself became embroiled in controvery because of a short memo (that got lost and is now found) that expressed that not enough research had been done to reach any conclusions regarding mind-control and cults.  Here's an article that describes what happened:

http://www.rickross.com/reference/apologist/apologist40.html

Further, this is a short memo that sent to the members of the Task Force on Deceptive and Indirect Methods of Persuasion and Control (DIMPAC).

http://www.rickross.com/reference/apologist/apologist11.html

APA Memorandum to Members of the Task Force on Deceptive and Indirect Methods of Persuasion and Control (DIMPAC)

From http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/8393/Apa_english.htm (now a dead link), 1998
By Alberto Amitrani and Raffaella Di Marzio

American
Psychological
Association

May 11, 1987

MEMORANDUM

TO : Members of the Task Force on Deceptive and Indirect Methods of Persuasion and Control (DIMPAC)

FROM : Board of Social and Ethical Responsibility for Psychology (BSERP)

SUBJECT : Final Report of the Task Force

----------

BSERP thanks the Task Force on Deceptive and Indirect Methods of Persuasion and Control for its service but is unable to accept the report of the Task Force. In general, the report lacks the scientific rigor and evenhanded critical approach necessary for APA imprimatur.

The report was carefully reviewed by two external experts and two members of the Board. They independently agreed on the significant deficiencies in the report. The reviews are enclosed for your information.

The Board cautions the Task Force members against using their past appointment to imply BSERP or APA support or approval of the positions advocated in the report. BSERP requests that Task Force members not distribute or publicize the report without indicating that the report was unacceptable to the Board.

Finally, after much consideration, BSERP does not believe that we have sufficient information available to guide us in taking a position on this issue. (my emphasis)

The Board appreciates the difficulty in producing a report in this complex and controversial area, and again thanks the members of the Task Force for their efforts.

Enclosure

4200 Seventeenth St. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 955-7600

In researching recent more opinions of members of the APA, I found this article by the former President of APA, Dr. Philip G. Zimbardo (2002).   This article by Zambardo was published in APA's Monitor on Psychology and published on November 10, 2002 in "the President's column," and is titled:   "Mind control: psychological reality or mindless rhetoric?"  Link to this short article is here:

http://www.apa.org/monitor/nov02/pc.html

Also within this 2002 article is a link to another article in the same issue of APA's Monitor on Psychology, called "Cults of Hatred: Panelists at a convention session on hatred asked APA to form a task force to investigate mind control among destructive cults."

One of the panelists at this 2002 APA annual convention on was Pamela Layton, a survivor of Jim Jones Peoples Temple massacre and author of Seductive Poison.  Here's that article.

http://www.apa.org/monitor/nov02/cults.html

Upon searching this article I also found another link on the APA website that includes reading and resourses recommended by the APA (I've also included the text):

http://www.apa.org/monitor/nov02/cults_read.html

Cults of hatred: Further Reading
Print version: page 33

Within this same 2002 issue of Monitor on Psychology is the article called:

"Lessons from Jonestown:  The mass suicide of People's Temple followers 25 years ago teaches psychologists what happens when social psychology is placed in the wrong hands."

http://www.apa.org/monitor/nov02/cults.html

I've also done quite some research on Gordon Melton and Massimo Introvigne, but rather than make this post any longer than it already is I won't continue what I've discovered about these people right now.  These "sociologists" do continue to mislead the general public around the world by publishing massive and numerous articles that have been accepted in scholarly journals and are used by destructive groups and cults, including the Scientologists, to affirm their freedom of religion.   

I will say one thing that I found out that is inconsequential to this discussion but kind of funny.  Both Rev. Gordon Melton and Massimo Introvigne are members of the Transylvania Society of Dracula, and Introvigne is the President of the Italian Chapter.

For fun, here are some photos (hey, each to his own, right?): 

http://www.kelebekler.com/cesnur/txt/vamp2.htm

and here's the "Dracula" portion of the CESNUR website:

http://www.cesnur.org/dracula_library.htm

Cynthia