I am dedicating this post to offering important information from The International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA), a non-profit dedicated to providing help to former high-control group (cult) members, their families, academics, educators, and counselors. ICSA is hosting several conferences around the U.S. this year. Last month, I gave a presentation at their wonderful Florida conference.
Feel free to forward this blog post to those who could benefit.
By the way, I am giving a presentation at the Bordeaux conference, “Breaking the Power of Cult Symbols.” You can read about it on the Events page of this website.
From ICSA
Conferences, workshops, and special events are important to the growth of ICSA because events are where personal contacts are made and friendships formed and strengthened. For this reason, ICSA is trying to offer a greater variety of events in different geographical areas. Please tell others about events that may interest them. The following are scheduled:
ICSA Annual Conference in Bordeaux, France
June 29 – July 1, 2017 (preconference workshops on June 28th)
Bordeaux, France
More Info: http://www.icsahome.com/events/conferenceannual
Spiritual Abuse: A Conference for Victims and Those Who Want to Help
August 5, 2017
Dartmouth, Massachusetts
More Info: http://www.icsahome.com/events/spiritual-abuse
High-Control Groups: Helping Former Members and Families
Nov. 3-5, 2017
Santa Fe, New Mexico
More info: http://www.icsahome.com/events/conferencesantafe
Surviving and Moving On After a High-Demand Group Experience: A Workshop for Second-Generation Former Members
April 27 – 29, 2018
Chester, Connecticut
More info: http://www.icsahome.com/events/workshopsgas
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ICSA (International Cultic Studies Association)
P.O. Box 2265
Bonita Springs, FL 34133
Phone: 1-239-514-3081
fax: 1-305-393-8193
E-mail: mail@icsamail.com
Web site: www.icsahome.com
Conferences and workshops http://www.icsahome.com/events
Become a member of ICSA and gain access to an e-Library with over 23,000 items.
http://www.icsahome.com/membership
Mary Trudell
Would love to hear more about the statue & its inspiration!
Charlene L. Edge
Hi Mary,
Thanks for asking. The statue was the only thing left standing after they demolished a huge mansion on Bayshore Blvd. in Tampa, FL that had been built by a man named Swann. He helped design the layout of the city. There’s a street named after him. I took this photo in 1996 or 1997, I can’t remember exactly. At the time, I lived in an apartment not far from there and every day after work, I walked along Bayshore to clear my mind and get some exercise. One day, without having known about the demolition, I came home from work and saw that the old beautiful home that had been there was now a pile of rubble. The figure of the lady, thankfully was left untouched. I ran back to my apartment, grabbed my camera, and took a bunch of photos. This was the best of the bunch. It struck me as a symbol of survival. Amid the destruction, she still stood. I felt as if my escape from the cult I’d been in was reflected in this photo. I kept writing … eventually Undertow was constructed.
Charlene
ELIZABETH ATKINSON
Thank you. My friend and I attended the workshop in Ft Myers and really connected with your story. I finished reading your book within a couple of days off returning home. Keep up the good work, it helps those of us trying to find out way.
Charlene L. Edge
Hi Elizabeth!
I remember you well. Thanks so much for posting here and for reading my book. I’m deeply grateful to know that it helps people like you who are comrades in cult survival (or abusive church survival).
Wishing you peace and healing and whatever else you seek in life. Hope our paths cross again.
Warmest wishes,
Charlene