is Tvind a cult?

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Is Tvind a cult?

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Is Tvind a cult?    Phrases such as 'brainwashing', 'mind control' and 'psychological manipulation' have often been used about Tvind, often  by people who have left after being involved for many years.    

Most cult information groups in Europe and the United States classify Tvind or The Teachers Group as a cult or organisation 'of concern'.  It has been listed as a cult by the French government and the subject of a parliamentary inquiry in Belgium.

What is a cult?

Tvind has a clear cult structure:

At the bottom of the heap are innocent volunteers  -  teacher assistants, solidarity workers or 'development instructors'  -   recruited in universities or through newspaper advertisements asking for volunteers for charity  work in Africa or Scandinavia.

If it is a 'cult', they are not themselves really members, but they could be well on the way.  They provide a useful source of income for those further up the pile. They fund raise, work hard, and help to recruit others.  They believe they are working for a good cause and may become the next generation of  loyal members.

Next up are the Project Leaders, often members of the Teachers' Group, a secretive organisation of several hundred people. There are around 170 Project Leaders.   Members of the Teachers Group sign an agreement undertaking to pool their incomes, follow orders and work for 'the cause'.

TG members are often (but not always) Danish, usually in trusted positions as project leaders abroad, senior teachers and head teachers at Tvind schools and colleges, managers of Tvind second hand clothes shops and clothes sorting centres, and in charge of plantations.   Most were once humble solidarity workers who liked the life and stayed on; they, too, sincerely believe in what they are doing.  Members of the Teachers Group do not drink alcohol, believe in the virtue of work, and  are not encouraged to get married or have relationships outside the organisation.

Next, as far as we can tell,  are the top managers   -  the most trusted, senior and powerful members of the Teachers Group.   These are the regional and sector directors, the people in charge.  Many are directors of Tvind offshore companies; they are also in charge of Tvind's most sensitive projects, such as the base in Florida or the plantations in Brazil.   Many are women.   They are said to drive expensive Mercedes cars.

Right at the top of the tree are Mogens Amdi Petersen and his right-hand-woman, Kirsten Larsen  -  together with a hand-picked coterie of other members of the Teachers group   -  who live a life of secrecy, and control the destinies of all the others.

Report by the French Board of Deputies (1996-7)

This French government report classified 'Tvind Humana' as an alternative "cult movement"  (from 50 to 500 followers0. The report appeared about the same time as Humana in France ceased trading, apparently due to tax evasion.

 

   Report of the Belgian Parliament Inquiry Committee on Sects 1997.    "Parliamentary Inquiry for the purpose of establishing policy in combatting unlawful practices of sects and of the dangers of such for the community and individuals, especially adolescents."   This report lists Tvind and Humana and mentions them several times  -  search the site.  (French/Dutch)

    Steen Thomsen's report to the Danish Education Ministry.   Steen Thomsen, former head master of Winestead Hall School, England,  was a member of the Teachers' Group for 26 years until 1998, when he resigned.   He wrote this report to the Danish Government claiming that Tvind is a cult.  [In English]

   The Cult Observer Vol 11 No 3, 1994 The newsletter of the American Family Foundation quotes extensively from articles in The Guardian (London), Daily Mirror (London) , Dagbladet Politiken (Copenhagen) and from Anne Ellingsen, a Norwegian former Tvind solidarity worker, who addressed a conference in 1993.   (English)

Psycho- Sekten. Die Praktiken der Seelenfnger (Psycho-cults - how the soul-catchers work) by Frank Nordhausen and  Liane von Billerbeck  (Fischer-TB.-Vlg. Ffm. 1999.  ISBN 3596142407)   (in German)    Berlin journalists Nordhausen and Billerbeck include a chapter about Tvind in their book on "psycho-cults", outlining in detail Tvind's worldwide network and complex financial structure.

 

[More on Tvind 'cult']          [Personal views]          [Cult information groups]

 

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TG members are often (but not always) Danish, usually in trusted positions as project leaders abroad, senior teachers and head teachers at Tvind schools and colleges, managers of Tvind second hand clothes shops and clothes sorting centres, and in charge of plantations.   Most were once humble solidarity workers who liked the life and stayed on; they, too, sincerely believe in what they are doing.  Members of the Teachers Group do not drink alcohol, believe in the virtue of work, and  are not encouraged to get married or have relationships outside the organisation.

 

 

 

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French Board of Deputies Report 1996-7

Cult Information Groups

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