Protect Yourself from Destructive Religious Groups!

What is the difference between healthy religious groups and high-pressure religious groups?

Among the many clubs and organizations on campus, you'll find numerous religious groups. Some are well organized; some are more informal. Choosing the religious group that is right for you is a very important decision. We want to offer you some information that will help you make an informed, free choice. Healthy religious groups will tell you a lot about themselves, who they are, what they stand for, and what they expect from you. An open and responsible group will offer an easy entrance to and, more importantly, an easy exit from their group. Within the healthy group one finds an appreciation of diversity, an openness to criticism and doubt, and affirmation of other religious traditions. Healthy groups encourage the individual's comfort and growth, and support the college experience. There are several organized and informal campus religious groups that use high-pressure recruiting tactics. Listing names would be a waste of time since their names change frequently.

However, you can identify these destructive groups by what they do. Why are they so harmful?

They isolate you from family, friends and other groups. They ask you to give up control of your thoughts and decisions. They fill you with guilt and shame. They may promote crises with school, career, or your love life. They frighten you to the point that you stop making decisions and asking questions for yourself.

You are most vulnerable when...

You are lonely. You are homesick for familiar friends and places. Your roommate is always out with hometown friends. You miss your steady who is at another school. You are hurting. Your friends forgot to save you a seat at the game. You just had a fight with your family. You are grieving over a person or relationship. You are having a tough time socially Everyone has a date for homecoming except you. You haven't been recruited by anyone else for anything. It's the same dull routine of dinner, homework, and bed. You are in trouble academically You feel like a failure because you are failing something. You are under pressure to improve your grades. You are embarrassed because you've never had low grades before. Remember, these feelings and reactions are normal and can be confronted, put into proper focus, and overcome. However, they are uncomfortable if left unattended, and may make you an easy target for high-pressure religious recruiters.

How can you identify these groups? Observe the groups responses to you and how you feel. if you can answer "yes" to any three of these statements, you should seriously reconsider your involvement.

1. The group seems to be perfect. Everyone agrees and follows all orders cheerfully.

2. The group claims to have "all the answers" to your problems.

3. You are asked to recruit new members soon after joining.

4. You begin to feel guilty and shamed, unworthy as a person.

5. The group encourages you to put their meetings and activities before all other commitments, including studying.

6. The group speaks in a derogatory way about your past religious affiliations.

7. Your parents and friends are defined as unable to understand and help you with religious matters.

8. Doubts and questions are seen as signs of weak faith. You are shunned if you persist in these doubts.

9. Group leadership is mostly male, and males in general are believed to have different rights and abilities than females.

10. You are invited on a retreat, but they won't give you an overview of the purpose, theme, or activities before you go.

How can you deal with these groups?

1. Reach out and get the opinion of someone you trust who is not a member of the group, such as a friend, professor, parent, counselor, or a member of the clergy.

2. Find out about this group from your home church or synagogue.

3. Don't be afraid to ask questions! Be skeptical. Don't accept evasive answers.

4. Don't be afraid to take a stand.

5. Learn to say "no" if that's the way you feel about something.

6. Examine yourself: are you vulnerable?

7. If you go to a meeting to check a group out, be aware that you may not get a clear picture at the first meeting.

8. Call 515-2414 for help and information.