Raphael Aron

Raphael was born and educated in Australia. Following his completion of high school he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce at Melbourne University continuing on with various courses in counselling and therapy.

It was during his university years in the mid '70's that Raphael became interested in the cult scene. He subsequently spent a year researching a number of cults and participating in various overseas programs and conferences on the issue.

In 1982 he founded The Jewish Centre, an organisation dedicated to assisting families concerned about the influence of cults and sects on their loved ones. In 1991 the role of The Jewish Centre was taken over by Cult Counselling Australia. This non denominational, community-based organisation is now listed in phone directories throughout Australia as well as on various websites on the internet.

Raphael has counselled hundreds of families in connection with cult-related matters. He has assisted in numerous media reports and documentaries on the cult issue and has acted in an advisory capacity to various statutory authorities. Raphael continues to provide expert evidence in cult-related court matters. He is well known in the field both locally and internationally.

Raphael admits that he has become very passionate about the cult issue and sees it as symptomatic of issues well beyond religion or freedom of expression. He believes that cults demonstrate the deep and yearning need to identify and a sense of belonging. At the same time they display the frailty of the human mind.

Cults: To Good to be True is a very personal account of his work in this field. The book documents numerous Australian cult-related cases, many of which have ended in tragedy. It is a definitive work on the concepts of mind control and psychological manipulation and will be an invaluable resource to community and church leaders, the helping profession, the legal fraternity, government and lawmakers. The book will also serve as a guide and a resource for concerned families.

Raphael is a much sought after speaker and conducts seminars and workshops on the cult scene. He edits the "Cult Enquirer" a periodic newsheet on cult-related issues. He also serves as Director of the Gateway Family Counselling Centre Inc. and the Jewish Family Community Centre Inc. in Melbourne.

Raphael lives in Melbourne with his wife Shani and their nine children.