The CICNS is an association born out of the observation that spiritual orientations and practices in France have been misrepresented for some time. A discriminatory crusade has been led against any new spiritual search, using the technique of prejudicial association.

(translated from french)

The CICNS is an independent centre aimed at supporting and advising new spiritual movements, as well as informing authorities on the important and sensitive subject of new forms of spiritual search.

The objective of the CICNS is to ensure that spiritual search is respected in all its diversity, and to put an end to the unacceptable association consistently made between spiritual movements and criminality or mental manipulation. The term "cult" summarizes for the public at large, this odious confusion. The CICNS executive and active members are conscious of the need to base their actions and their word on an impartial outlook, so the truth about spiritual search and the destructive intentions of the anti-cult activists in France can be revealed.

We see no reason to seek conflict, provocation, polemics or confrontation with one or more of those who are specifically responsible for the situation that we denounce. We believe that waging war does not bring it to an end; rather, it makes it last. We believe the only enemies are fear and ignorance.

The CICNS thus chooses dialogue, information, support and mediation, while giving itself the right to speak up and act firmly when the situation demands it.

The CICNS is an association whose members are linked by its object, beyond the differences of their spiritual or ideological paths and choices. The CICNS is not related to any movements labelled as a cult, nor does it represent any particular spiritual path. It is dedicated to serve those who are confronted in one way or the other with the current situation facing new spiritualities.

The object of the CICNS is to bring balance to the debate and to answer questions about new spiritualities through:

Taking an active part in the defence of freedom of spiritual orientations and practices, by putting CICNS knowledge and skills at the disposal of others, with the aim of mediation and resolution of the problem encountered.

Broadcasting comprehensive information about new forms of spirituality, by the use of the right of reply, the organisation of public conferences and demonstration in the field, by the moral and judicial backing of any person victim of discrimination in this domain, and by any other legal means known or unknown at present.

The fundamental objectives of the CICNS are:

1. To stimulate the creation of an independent and impartial information source (observatory) about spiritual minorities in France. It will include researchers and academics (sociologists, philosophers and historians) specialists in psychology and psychiatry as well as diverse new psychotherapies, social workers, lawyers and people from NGOs and associations campaigning for human rights and spiritual minority’s representatives.
   
   This observatory will be a balanced body of consultation (composed of personalities both critical and in favour of spiritual minorities) that could make recommendations to the government, the parliament and to the public authorities, in order to improve the law and public liberties in the subject of spiritual or therapeutic paths in the 21st century, and preserve public order. It will engage a journey of discovery about spiritual movements, which therefore would be able to come out of the shadow.
   
   The observatory would mediate conflicts between adepts and movements in advance of the justice system being involved. The observatory would establish a charter respecting diversity of belief, to which all spiritual minorities should subscribe. The observatory will communicate its action in an annual report, addressed to the President, Prime Minister and to the Parliament, which will be made public via the internet and any media that would wish to disseminate it.
    
2. To secure a reduction in public funding for groups and associations which are against spiritual freedom and new spiritual movements, or to obtain similar amount in public funding for groups or associations that offer another approach to that subject.
    
3. To have legislation adopted in favour of tolerance, protecting and guaranteeing the right of each individual to practice, express and live freely, without discrimination, the spirituality of his or her choice.

published 4/7/2009

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