Hi all -

This might come in handy when the cults start harassing you. I have used this about 15 times against the Opus Dei cult. Though this one is specific to Opus Dei, it can be used on any cult, religious or secular. Distributed under the GPL; please feel free to copy it and post it on your website. This can also be sued if an individual is harassing you and will not leave you alone.

Peace,
Matt

[www.crcnyc.net]
Sample Cease and Desist/Anti-Harassment/Restraining Order/Letter for use Against Opus Dei Operatives
Updated July, 2004
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Please find below a sample Cease and Desist Order that can be used against Opus Dei operatives when they are attempting to harass, pressure, intimidate and recruit potential members. This can also be used by former members who are attempting to break away from the organization but who find that Opus Dei will not leave them alone. This Cease and Desist Order can be used in conjunction with the Guide to Preventing Opus Dei Infiltration. It is being distributed under the GNU General Public License. This Legal Disclaimer can be customized and modified in any way to suit a particular situation to which it is being applied. For example, the local harassment and stalking laws applicable to the country, province or state that you are in should replace the US laws listed below. Permission is granted for this Cease and Desist Order to be copied anywhere in the world, at any time, in any format. This Disclaimer has been reviewed by prominent legal counsel who have had extensive experience with Opus Dei's modus operandi. Please feel free to have your legal counsel review it for further modifications.

When Opus Dei is getting aggressive and intimidating and refuses to back down, modify and mail the Cease and Desist letter below to get them to back down. It is key that a copy of the letter is kept along with with a record of delivery. This record is necessary to prove to the police that the person has been served a Cease and Desist Order should the person not back down after the Order has been sent. In the US, the letter can be sent via the US Postal Service's Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation. Please note that it is suggested that you do not send the Order via Certified Mail/Return Receipt, since the Opus Dei operative will be instructed to refuse delivery of the Order. However, Priority Mail/Delivery Confirmation does not require a signature and cannot be refused. An alternative way is to send it via FedEx Ground if you are near a FedEx dropoff facility. Be sure to KEEP a copy of the letter and your record of Delivery Confirmation. In addition, you may want to send a copy to the local police precinct, via Certified Mail, to alert them to the harassment you are receiving from Opus Dei elements. For example, if you were in Manhattan, New York City, you might send a copy to the Commanding Officer of the NYPD's 17th Precinct, the precinct where Opus Dei's North American HQ is located. Also, you may want to send a copy to your local Campus Ministry President, CYO group President or young adult group President to alert them to Opus Dei's criminal behavior. Finally, you may also want to send a copy to the US Vicar for Opus Dei (listed at the end of the letter) via Certified Mail so as to prove to the police that the particular person to whom the letter is being sent is not acting alone, but under the direct orders and under the strict direction of Opus Dei. Opus Dei members are under tremendous pressure to recruit new people and destroy their enemies, so please remember they will not be rational and will only back down in the face of legal force.

Note too that this Order can also be used when an individual, like an ex-boyfriend, ex-girlfriend or co-workers is harassing you and will not leave you alone. It is helpful in establishing an official set of documents that the person was warned that their actions were in violation of criminal laws.

CEASE AND DESIST/RESTRAINING ORDER

(DATE)

Dear Sir or Madam:

This CEASE AND DESIST ORDER is to inform you that your and the Opus Dei cult's harassing and intimidating actions against my fellow Catholics and I has become unbearable. Such anti-social behavior is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any way, shape or form. This letter is to demand that your and the Opus Dei cult's continuing involvement in, planning and encouragement of, high-pressure recruitment, information gathering, harassment and intimidation must CEASE AND DESIST immediately. Should you and the Opus Dei cult continue to pursue these activities in violation of this CEASE AND DESIST ORDER, we will not hesitate to pursue further legal action against you and the Opus Dei cult, including, but not limited to, civil action and/or criminal complaints.

[Insert specific harassment inicidents here. Be sure to include date and place of occurance]

Myself and my peers have a right to remain free from Opus Dei's cultic, intimidating, manipulative and high-pressure tactics, and we will take the responsibility upon ourselves to protect that right. Note that a copy of this letter and a record of its delivery will be stored. Note too that it is admissible as evidence in a court of law and will be used as such if need be in the future.

This CEASE AND DESIST ORDER demands that you immediately discontinue and do not at any point in the future under any circumstances do the following to me: speak to, contact, pursue, harass, attack, strike, bump into, brush up against, push, tap, grab, hold, threaten, telephone (via cellular or landline), instant message, page, fax, email, follow, stalk, shadow, disturb my peace, keep me under surveillance, gather information about and/or block my movements at home, work, social gatherings, religious functions and/or at any Catholic Church-sponsored activities.

[New York: Note that your behavior is a violation of New York State Penal Law Section 240.25 - Harassment in the First Degree, Section 240.26 - Harassment in the Second Degree, Section 240.30 - Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, Section 240.45 - Criminal Nuisance in the Second Degree, Section 120.45 - Stalking in the Fourth Degree, Section 120.50 - Stalking in the Third Degree, Section 135.60 - Coercion in the Second Degree and Section 105.00 - Conspiracy in the Sixth Degree.]

[New Jersey: Note that your behavior is a violation of New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice Title 2C:12-10 - Stalking, Title 2C:33-34 - Harassment.]

[Maryland: Note that your behavior is a violation of Maryland State Code Title 3, Subtitle 8, Section 3-802 - Stalking, Section 3-803 - Harassment, Section 3-804 - Misuse of Telephone Facilities, Section 3-805 - Misuse of Electronic Mail, Subtitle 9, Section 3-901 - Visual Surveillance, Section 3-902 - Visual Surveillance with Pruient Intent and Section 3-906 - Divulging Private Communications.]

[Illinois: Note that your behavior is a violation of Illinois Compiled Statutes Chapter 720 ILCS 5/12-7.3 - Stalking, Chapter 720 ILCS 5/12-7.4 - Aggravated Stalking, Chapter 720 ILCS 5/12-7.5 - Cyberstalking, Chapter 720 ILCS 135/1-1 - Harassment by telephone, Chapter 720 ILCS 135/1-2 - Harassment through electronic communications, Chapter 720 ILCS 135/0.01 - 135/2 - Harassing and Obscene Communications Act and Chapter 720 ILCS 135/0.01 Short Title Harassing and Obscene Communications Act.

[Massachusetts: Note that your behavior is a violation of Massachusetts Criminal Statutes Chapter 265:37 - Violations of Constitutional Rights, Chapter 265:43 - Stalking, Chapter 265:43A - Criminal Harassment and Chapter 265:14A - Annoying Telephone Calls]

[In Washington DC: Note that your behavior is a violation of Federal Criminal Statutes 47 USC 223(a)(1)(c) - Obscene or Harassing Telephone Calls in the District of Columbia or in Interstate or Foreign Communications; District of Columbia Code, Title 22, Section 504 - Threatened Assault in a Menacing Manner; Stalking

[Virginia: Note that your behavior is a violation of the Criminal Code of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 18.2-60.3A - Stalking, Class 1 Misdemeanor and 18.2-60.3B - Stalking, Class 6 Felony.]

[California: Note that your behavior is a violation of the California Penal Code Subsection 646.9 - Stalking and 422 - Punishment for Threats]

[Texas: Note that your behavior is a violation of the Texas Penal Code Subsection 42.072(a)(b)(c) - Stalking and Subsection 42.07(a)(b)(c) - Harassment]

[Federal: Note that your behavior is a violation of US Federal Laws 18 USC Subsection 2265 Full Faith and Credit, 18 USC Subsection 2261A Interstate Stalking, 18 USC Subsection 875(c) Interstate Communications, 47 USC Subsection 223(a)(1)(c) Harassing Telephone Calls in Interstate Communications]

[Interstate Statues: Note that your behavior is a violation of Federal Criminal Statutes 18 USC 2261A - Interstate Stalking and 47 USC 223(a)(1)(c) - Obscene or Harassing Telephone Calls in the District of Columbia or in Interstate or Foreign Communications]

[Additional US state-by-state anti-stalking laws are available at: State Laws]

Should you willfully choose to continue your current course of action, I will not hesitate to file a complaint with the Police Department for your ongoing violations of the Criminal Laws noted previously.

This letter does not constitute exhaustive statement of my position nor is it a waiver of any of my rights and/or remedies in this and/or any other related matter.

We demand your immediate compliance, and furthermore that you confirm in writing that all violative activity will cease immediately.

Very truly yours,

(NAME)

Sent via Priority Mail/Delivery Confirmation

cc:

- Father Thomas G. Bohlin, Opus Dei US Vicar, Opus Dei North American HQ, Murray Hill Place Inc., 243 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY, 10016-4605
- [Your local Police Deparment /local Police Precinct]
- [Your local Campus Ministry Director/President, Young Adult Group President/Council Member, CYO Group President]

I can't imagine any activity by any member of Opus Dei that could bear any resemblance to what is described. Do you actually somewhere speak specifically of your experience? I've seen posts where you note you are Catholic, that you have a problem with orthodox Catholic teaching (as exemplified by Pope Benedict XVI), and it is clear you don't like Opus Dei. I'm just trying to see what got you so upset that you have so many threads that have "Opus Dei cult" in the title and that led you to post such a detailed "cease and desist" statement.

[b:fb30856a5c]Moderator note:

"wquercus" appears to be what is often called an "Internet Troll." His only purpose posting here was apparently to subvert the message board.

He posted information elsewhere on the board about the Mankind Project, which he admitted attending. Subsequently, more than a year later "wquercus" returned to delete all his posts regarding the Mankind Project. However, portions of his statements remain as quoted/noted by other members posting here.

Apparently, "wquercus" came to realize that his statements provided proof concerning what goes on inside the Mankind Project and he therefore decided that he didn't want that information to remain here publicly visible.

Subsequently "wquercus" was banned from the board.[/b:fb30856a5c]

Quote
wquercus
I've seen posts where you note you are Catholic, that you have a problem with orthodox Catholic teaching (as exemplified by Pope Benedict XVI), and it is clear you don't like Opus Dei. I'm just trying to see what got you so upset that you have so many threads that have "Opus Dei cult" in the title and that led you to post such a detailed "cease and desist" statement.

To the reader: it is standard practice for the Opus Dei cult to respond to criticism by attempting to move the focus from the cult to the Catholic Church. Thus, they attempt to hide behind the larger Catholic Church while at the same time attempting to corrupt it from within. Opus Dei has been described as a "church within the Church", thus operating by its own set of rules, independent of the rest of other organs of the Catholic Church. They also immediately attack the person's credibility as a Catholic.

To the poster: Please avoid ad hominem attacks. The issue that needs to be focused on is the Opus Dei cult, not an individual's personal beliefs. One can view the Opus Dei cult as an evil and still very much be a Catholic in good standing.

Opus Dei, similar to many cults, engages in harassment of those it perceives as enemies or those attempting to leave the cult. Such behavior is anti-social and criminal, in violation of American penal laws.

Not ad hominem. Clarifying context of your remarks based on self-disclosure you have made on this board and asking for further information.

You make assertions which are clearly rooted in your own experience. This is a board that needs verifiable information.

If folks want an objective account of Opus Dei, the best source is John Allen's new book on the subject. He's a respected journalist, he did a tremendous amount of research, and he sifted through the chaff.

Quote
wquercus
Not ad hominem.

Ad hominem is defined as: A fallacy that attacks the person rather than dealing with the real issue in dispute

Quote

This is a board that needs verifiable information.

To the reader: Opus Dei cult members will often respond to criticism by stating that people have the "wrong information".

Here are over 150 links from sources throughout the world:
[www.dmoz.org]

Quote

If folks want an objective account of Opus Dei, the best source is John Allen's new book on the subject. He's a respected journalist, he did a tremendous amount of research, and he sifted through the chaff.

It should be noted that Mr. Allen's book is largely seen as being written from a pro-Opus Dei perspective, lacking in objectivism. The majority of the research Mr. Allen did was largely within Opus Dei itself, which from a journalistic perspective, does not count as objective.

Quote

It should be noted that Mr. Allen's book is largely seen as being written from a pro-Opus Dei perspective, lacking in objectivism. The majority of the research Mr. Allen did was largely within Opus Dei itself, which from a journalistic perspective, does not count as objective.

By whom? Your use of the passive voice conveys no information. Mr. Allen is a reporter with the notoriously liberal National Catholic Reporter. He did research with critics. He didn't speak to you.

Mr. Allen spent most of the book speaking with people in Opus Dei himself and the majority of his research was spent within the Opus Dei cult. When researching any organization, in order to gain a more objective view, one has to spend time researching outside the organization. For example, studying the SS by only studying their records will provide a skewed view of the organization.

Obviously you haven't read the book. If you had, you'd know the falsity of your sentence.

To all other readers: get the book.

From a fine book review:
Where there is a doubt, Opus Dei is given the benefit of it. When a Spanish official fails to respond to a question about providing a clearer policy to prevent abuses of recruiting practices, Allen credits the failure to cultural differences.

[www.thisweeknews.com]

A "fine book review"? By a CHRISTY ZEMPTER, with some small town paper? Ha.