Research institute New England Institute of Religious Research was co-founded by George Mather, coauthor of
Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and the Occult, along with Robert Pardon. The organization was founded with the intention to provide "training in ministering to those caught up in such destructive groups". Pardon is a former pastor. In 1993, Mather served as the organization's co-director, and in 2005 as its director. Pardon served as director of the organization in 1999. In 2000, Pardon served as the court-appointed guardian for 13 children of a religious sect in
Attleboro, Massachusetts. The Institute worked with former members of the Attleboro sect, and in order to gain insight into the group, Pardon studied the sect's diaries. The group was led by Roland Robidoux. Pardon and the Institute has extensively studied the
new religious movement,
Twelve Tribes. In his capacity as director of the New England Institute of Religious Research, Pardon presented at a conference of the
International Cultic Studies Association in 2001, and again in 2003 and 2004. The Institute is referenced as a resource for information on religious groups, in books including
The Cult Next Door,
Reflected Truth,
Twisted Scriptures, and
When Prayer Fails. The center opened on May 25, 2002, at a luncheon benefit celebrating the tenth anniversary of the New England Institute of Religious Research. The treatment center, called Meadow Haven, utilizes a three-pronged approach to recovery. First, individuals are assisted in identifying their religious problems and setting goals for recovery. Next, the treatment center helps them understand the dangers of being a member in a cult, and learn methods to put their life back together. Then, the final phase includes improving one's self-esteem, developing ways to reenter the community, and building a focus towards the future. Full recovery can take up to six months, though according to Pardon after a month at the treatment center individuals begin to feel better. As of 2005, Pardon served as the director of Meadow Haven. ==Commentary==