Most of the enquiries INFORM receives are about new religious movements (NRMs), sometimes known as alternative religions, minority religions or 'cults'. INFORM also responds to enquiries about movements that arose in the 19th century such as the Jehovah's Witnesses and Christian Scientists, as well as to questions about movements within mainstream religious traditions.
INFORM receives enquiries from, among others, friends and families of new converts to religious movements, former and current members of movements, government agencies, police, social workers, clergy, and other religious professionals, students, academics and the media.
To give you an idea of why well over a thousand individuals and organisations contact us each year, we have compiled some examples of the types of questions people ask us. All enquiries are treated with the strictest confidentiality (see Codes of Practice). These are fictitious examples which reflect enquirers' typical concerns.
A religious group wants to hire a room in our village hall. Is it a cult?
My client wants sole custody of his children as his former wife is raising them in a strange religious group. Can you tell me more about the group?
My son has disappeared into a mysterious eastern group and refuses to return home. How do I rescue him?
We are thinking of sending our top staff on a management training course, but someone says it's a cult. Can you write a report on the group for me?
I'm thinking of joining a spiritual discussion group but I'd like to find out more about it first. Can you help?
My daughter and her husband are Jehovah's Witnesses and she is about to have a baby. We are worried that she will refuse the child proper healthcare. Can you give us the facts?
I spent ten years following a false messiah and now I can't get my life back together. Can you help?
I want to move to live on my guru's ashram but my parents are terribly concerned. What can I do?
My partner is paying out hundreds of pounds to find enlightenment. How can I stop him?
I was brought up in an exclusive Christian group and my parents are still members. They won't talk to me any more. How can I mend our relationship?
If you have a query concerning a religious movement, please contact us. Our Information Phone Line operates from 10.00am-4.30pm Monday to Friday or you can contact us by email, fax or letter.
Contact
The information information provided to individuals is normally free, but all donations towards our work are greatly appreciated. A small charge is made for photocopying. Please make all cheques payable to INFORM.
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Photocopy Costs |
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Students and Concessions |
5pence of GBP or 8cents of USD per copy |
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Others |
10pence of GBP or 16cents of USD per copy |
We do charge for formal reports, briefings and data sheets commissioned by organisations. For further information on our pricing policy contact San Kim, tel: +44(0)20 7955 7654 or email: inform@lse.ac.uk.