Herbert L. Rosedale, Esq.

We have posted reflections in no particular order.  In order to speed up loading, we have broken this page into three and are now using hyperlinks to direct you to the various sections.

Thank you for your interest in and tributes to this exceptional and good man.  And thanks also to those of you who sent condolences.  We will share these with Herb's family. We will all miss him.

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Back to Profile/Memorial Page with Photo

Reflections Posted 11 November 2003

Reflections Posted 12 November 2003

Reflections Posted 13 November 2003

Reflections Posted 19 November 2003

Reflections Posted 3 December 2003

Eulogy of Seymour Levine

Eulogy of Eric Rosedale

Eulogy of Jeff Rosedale

Eulogy of Michael Langone

Scales Award and Herb's Reply

Obituaries

Reflections Posted 13 November 2003

Advocate for People Who Have Survived Terrible Ordeals

I am very saddened by the news of the passing of Herb Rosedale.  I wanted to send condolences to his family and all who knew him through his years at AFF.  I met him in Minneapolis in 1999.  He was kind enough to spend time speaking with me about an issue that was very sensitive for me, a former cult member.  I have attended conferences every year since and it has always been a pleasure to see Herb.  He was a unique and spirited person.  He had a rare kind of eloquence.  He was an advocate for people who have survived terrible ordeals that the world does not acknowledge. It really means so much that people like Herb are out there speaking for us and not letting the world forget what has happened to us.

This is from letters to a young poet by Rainer Maria Rilke.  It has been a great comfort to me over the years during times of sadness.

How should we be able to forget those ancient myths that are at the beginning of all peoples,  the myths about dragons that at the last moment turn into princesses; perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us once, beautiful and brave. Perhaps everything terrible is in its deepest being something helpless that wants help from us.

So you must not feel frightened, if a sadness rises up before you larger than any you have ever seen.  Or if a restiveness, like light and cloud shadows, passes over your hands and over all that you do. You must think that something is happening with you, that life has not forgotten you, that it holds you in it’s  hand; it will not let you fall.

Being a former cult member, I don’t believe the last line.  What I believe is that you have to decide to hold on to life.   Sometimes knowing that there are people like Herb out there help’s tip the scales in that direction.

Colette A. Blackburn

Long Beach, California 

Such a Tough Man

Herbert Rosedale, Esq. must have been an incredibly tough man, who had outlived so many cult attacks.  But now, receiving your e-mail letter with the news of such a tough man's death, we are very surprised and are in deep sorrow.  We really don't know how to express our thanks to Mr. Rosedale, who had taken such an active part in cult education and assistance.

Please accept our sincere condolences. We heartily offer our sympathy and wish for peace of mind for the bereaved family.

National Network of Lawyers Against the Spiritual Sales

Secretary General, Hiroshi Yamaguchi

Make New Advances in the Work Begun by Mr. Rosedale

We are saddened to hear that Mr. Herbert Rosedale, the president of AFF, died on the 4th of November, 2003.  Please accept the Shangdong Anti-Cult Association’s condolences on the death of Mr. Rosedale and share our condolences with his family.  As the president of AFF, Mr. Rosedale contributed greatly to AFF's progress and built the connection between AFF and Chinese Anti-cult colleagues.  At the same time, he hosted members of Shangdong Anti-Cult Association to present at the AFF conference, and we are hosting the AFF colleagues now by the same cooperative project started by him.  We hope both of us would make new advances in the work begun by Mr. Rosedale and protect more and more people from the harm of cults.

Shandong Anti-Cult Association

Graciously Gave of His Knowledge and Expertise

I am still in shock that Herb Rosedale has passed away. He has become such a strong presence, a fixture in the movement to promote awareness and knowledge about destructive mind control activities. I can’t recall how many times I called him for his sage advice or help over the years. Nor can I attempt to say how many people I referred to him for help. Certainly it numbers in the thousands.

Herb always graciously gave of his knowledge and expertise. He helped me to better understand the legal system and how to best address problems in the most effective and efficient way. It seemed that he was never too busy to help.

I first met Herb Rosedale when the Moonies had purchased a house in his town in the late 70’s. Herb was involved in a precedent setting action in which the local zoning board held extensive hearings and determined that the Moonies had a right to own the house but did not have the right to do mind control activities (workshops) that harmed individuals. An ex-member that I had counseled who had been indoctrinated at the property testified for the board. Of course, I testified also. I believe this was how Herb first became really aware of the dangers of unethical mind control.

Over the years, I came to admire Herb Rosedale more and more. When I learned of his illness, I guess I just assumed that he would fight it and win. From what I understand, he did make extraordinary efforts. When I saw him at this past AFF conference in Connecticut, I could see that his body was failing him and was grateful to be able to tell him how much I appreciate everything he has done and thank him for his efforts. I don’t know if anyone will ever be able to replace Herb. He was one of a kind.

We will all miss him very, very much.

Steven Hassan

Touched Many Souls Across the Globe

The staff of Cult Counseling Australia join the family and associates of Herb, in particular the AFF, in mourning the passing of a pioneeer, leader, and mentor whose professionalism and warmth touched many souls across the globe. He will be sorely missed.

Raphael Aron

Lucidity and Humanity of His Contributions

This is shocking news. I only met Herb once at the AFF conference in Minneapolis in 1999. But like many I have followed his contributions to raising cult awareness over many years, and have always been impressed by the lucidity and above all humanity of his contributions. I enjoyed talking to him on the occasion that our paths crossed, and what appeared to be true of him in his writings was also evident on meeting him. He was a quite delightful person to encounter, and his passion, commitment and enjoyment of meeting people were well in evidence. I am very sad that he will not be there at future AFF events. A memorial page is more than merited, and I am sure would be appreciated by many.

My condolences to his family, to you, to all his close colleagues and his very many friends.

Professor Dennis Tourish

Aberdeen Business School

Robert Gordon University

Helped Us Avoid Many a Shoal

It is very difficult to accept the fact that Herb Rosedale is gone. He did look pale and thin at the conference just last month in Connecticut. But beginning with his welcoming speech and continuing with his panel presentations he was as clear, rational, fair-minded, fact based, informed, wise, and articulate as ever.

Behind the scenes Herb was for many years a masterful pilot for the organization. He gave freely of legal advice and helped us to avoid many a shoal. He helped enormously to adapt AFF as circumstances changed. Freely he provided good counsel to ex-members and their parents and to exit counselors. Thank you, Herb.

Art Dole

Una Persona Determinata a Combattere Tutti Gli Abusi

Non ho avuto la fortuna di conoscere Herbert Rosedale, anche se in diverse occasioni ho intrattenuto con lui una interessante corrispondenza nella quale ci scambiavamo opinioni e informazioni sui problemi che affrontiamo quotidianamente, quando si tratta di prestare assistenza a coloro che chiedono aiuto.

Era una persona determinata a combattere tutti gli abusi anche sul piano legale, nel quale era molto esperto e aveva negli anni acquisito una grande esperienza, ma, nello stesso tempo, sapeva essere prudente nelle sue battaglie e cercava di evitare inutili cacce alle streghe.

In modo particolare negli ultimi anni si era impegnato, insieme a Michael Langone, per iniziare un dialogo con gli studiosi delle scenze sociali che vengono definiti comunemente "difensori dei culti", poichè riteneva che il dialogo sia possibile e indispensabile, anche tra avversari.

Aveva concretizzato questo intento invitando ai Congressi dell'AFF anche esponenti del campo avverso e recandosi a sua volta ai congressi indetti dalle organizzazioni degli studiosi.

Spero vivamente che il suo impegno nella ricerca del dialogo sarà portato avanti da chi prenderà il suo posto e che tutto quello che egli ha realizzato nei decenni passati rimanga una eredità feconda e duratura.

A nome della comunità di SRS mi unisco, attraverso la preghiera di suffragio, alla Organizzazione di cui era Presidente, l'AFF, e a tutti coloro che lo conoscevano.

Raffaella Di Marzio

Un Vide Qui Sera Difficile a Refermer

Voila une bien triste nouvelle. La mort de notre ami Monsieur Herb Rosedale est une grande perte pour nous tous. Celui va laisser un vide qui sera difficile a refermer. Ce que j'aprecie le plus chez notre ami, c'etait la personnalite meme de celui-ci. J'ai du mal a croire en sa disparition. Je presente mes condoleances a sa famille et aussi a l'American Family Foundation).

Pascal Zivi

Mind Control Research Center

Nishioka, Japan

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Reflections Posted 19 November 2003

A Bridge for Dialogue

Before I met him, I, like most people concerned with the so-called "cult scene," had heard quite a lot about Herbert Rosedale. Some of the reports (from former members and their relatives) were full of praise; others (from some of the groups) were less so. From all accounts, however, he was a formidable figure. Then, about four years ago, I plucked up courage to ask him if I could attend an AFF meeting and was amazed at the warmth and graciousness of his welcome. While we certainly approached some things from a different perspective (he, after all, was a lawyer and I a sociologist of religion), I think we were both surprised at the number of points upon which we wholeheartedly agreed. But there was not enough time on that occasion to discuss all the things we wanted to discuss. With Michael Langone, we agreed to hold a small private meeting for a full day just before the next conference. It was a day I shall never forget and one in which the silliness of dividing ourselves into anti-cultists on the one hand and cult apologists on the other became glaringly obvious.

My respect for Herb continued to grow as I observed how he encouraged members of new religions—as well as several social scientists who have been studying them—not only to attend AFF meetings but also to participate by giving talks. He was, indeed, an important building block in creating a bridge whereby people coming from a wide variety of positions could not only dialogue, but also come to understand better each other's perspective.

There was a very great deal of very great value that I learned from Herb. I shall miss him - I am already missing him. His passing is a very great loss for the AFF.

Eileen Barker, Ph.D.

London School of Economics

Help and Comfort

We are so sorry to hear of Herb Rosedale's death. I (Genevieve) never met him but he saw my husband (Graham) in 1994 when he came to New York to try to help our son Rick, who was trapped in the Moonies.

It was very frightening to come to New York in those circumstances, and Herb Rosedale gave up his valuable time freely to help and comfort my husband. I was at home receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer at the time.

I know of other Australian families who were similarly helped.  He was a wonderful human being and will be sorely missed.

Our sympathy to the Rosedale family.

Genevieve and Graham Isbell

His Commitment to Fight for Human Rights

Last week, I received the sad news that Herb Rosedale died. Although I only have met him twice, once in Barcelona and the other one at the Connecticut Conference, I have to say that I was touched by his energy, his objectivity, and his commitment to fight for Human Rights.

I am sure that his work and efforts were not in vain. Now, we have to keep working like he did: with vitality, optimism, perseverance, and determination.

Thank you for all, Herb!

Ferran Alonso

Barcelona, Spain

Friend of China

I was shocked to learn of the untimely passing of the President of AFF, Herb Rosedale.  I wish to express my deep condolences to you and through you to the bereft family. Mr. Rosedale was among the best American friends of China and will remain alive in our hearts forever.

Chen Ligang

Director-General

International Liaison Dept.

Chinese Writers' Association

Beijing, China

He Stood for Freedom of Our Son's Soul and Mind

We are so saddened by the message of Herb's passing.  Oh, what a marvelous human being and our hero.  For us he stood for freedom of our son's soul and mind, and the escape from bondage to tyrants and terrorists.  Our children and thousands of others will have the ability to make choices; they will be independent of slavery of the mind—because of Herb and others like him.  We extend our deepest condolences to all of you at AFF and to Herb's family.  We are so deeply moved by this event. We are certain that wherever Herb may be, his spirit will remain with us, and we will try to impart his message on to others in any way that we can.

Anita and Fred Solomon

Reflections Posted 3 December 2003

Contributions by author

Boston Movement - book review
Conference 1997: PA Presenter
Conference 2001 NJ: Speakers
Conference 2002 FL: Events
Conference 2003 CA: Agenda
Conference 2003 CT: Agenda
Giambalvo, Carol: "Boston Movement: Critical Perspectives on the ICC"
Rosedale, Herb: "Annual Report From the President"
Rosedale, Herb: "Annual Report: Letter From the President"
Rosedale, Herb: "Legal Analysis of Intent As a Continuum Emphasizing Social Context of Volition"
Rosedale, Herb:  "AFF Statement Mass Wedding of Sun Myung Moon"
Rosedale, Herbert and Langone, Michael, Ph.D.: "On Using the Term "Cult"
Rosedale, Herbert L. Esq.: "Questions from the Balcony: A Critique of Dick Anthony"
Rosedale, Herbert L. Esq.: "Reflecting on Cultural Diversity in Response to Cultic Activity"
Rosedale, Herbert L., Esq.: "Legal Considerations: Regaining Independence and Initiative"
Rosedale, Herbert L.: "NPR One-sided on Moon Movement", CO 11-4, 1994
Rosedale, Herbert, Esq.: "Cult Litigation Doesn't Threaten Religion"
Rosedale, Herbert, Esq.: "Extrapolation, Exaggeration, or Exculpation?" - abstract
Rosedale, Herbert, Esq.: "Ideology, Demonization, and Scholarship: A Response to Robbins" - abstract
Rosedale, Herbert, Esq.: "Perspectives on Cults as Affected by the September 11th Tragedy" - abstract
Rosedale, Herbert, Esq.: "The Threat to Entrepreneurial Freedom and Initiative Posed by New Age Management Training Programs" - abstract
Rosedale, Herbert, Esq.: "Women and Cults: A Lawyer's Perspective"
Rosedale, Herbert: "Promises and Illusions: A Commencement Address" - abstract