Produced by the
University Council
of Campus Ministries at CSULA
Student Housing Complex
Phase II, 1108
Los Angeles, CA 90032-8731
(323) 343-2571
LIFE ON CAMPUS
There are groups...and then there are high-pressure groups.
It's a good feeling to be wanted. And, it's flattering
to be asked to join a group. Now that you're in
college, you'll find yourself invited to spend your
time with lots of organizations... fraternities,
sororities, intramural teams, clubs and organizations
of all kinds. Some rely on your free choice for
joining while others use persistent recruiting efforts
to win you over.
Among the clubs and organizations you'll find numerous
religious, political, and social groups. Some are well
organized, and some are very informal. Choosing to
belong to various groups is an important decision in
your life while you attend CSULA. We want to offer
you some information that will help you make an
informed, free choice about such groups.
At any given point in time on the campus there are
several organized and informal religious, political or
social groups that use high-pressure recruiting
tactics. Listing names would be a waste of time since
the names of the groups change frequently. However, you
can identify these groups by what they do.
WHY ARE HIGH-PRESSURE GROUPS SO HARMFUL?
They tend to isolate you from family, friends and
other groups.
They may ask you to give up control of your life,
thoughts and decisions.
They tend to focus on guilt and shame.
They may promote crises with school, your career or
your love life.
They may resort to frightening you to the point that
you stop making decisions and asking questions for
yourself.
WHEN WILL I BE RECRUITED?
College is an adult world with many decisions,
anxieties and pressures. There are times when you may
be homesick, feel unloved or overwhelmed, or believe
you will never straighten out your life. Learning to
cope with such feelings and keeping them in proper
perspective is an opportunity college provides. Yet,
it is at these times that high-pressure
religious groups tend to seek you out and begin
recruiting.
HOW CAN I IDENTIFY THESE HIGH-PRESSURE GROUPS?
Observe the group's responses to you and how you feel.
If you can answer "yes" to any three of these
statements, you should seriously reconsider your
involvement.
The group seems to be perfect. Everyone agrees and
follows all orders cheerfully.
The group claims to have "all the answers" to your
problems.
You are asked to recruit new members soon after
joining.
You begin to feel guilty and ashamed, unworthy as a
person.
The group encourages you to put their meetings and
activities before all other commitments, including
studying.
The group speaks in a derogatory way about your past
religious, social or political affiliations.
Your parents and friends are defined as unable to
understand or help you with religious, political or
other matters.
Doubts and questions are seen as signs of weak faith
or commitment. Your are shunned if you persist in
these doubts.
Leadership of the groups is mostly male, and males
in general are believed to have different rights and
abilities than females.
You are invited on a retreat with the group, but
they can't give you an overview of the purpose, theme or activities before you go.
YOU ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO HIGH-PRESSURE GROUPS WHEN...
You Are Lonely
You are homesick for familiar friends and places.
Your roommate is always out with other friends.
You miss your significant other who is at another school.
You Are Hurting
Your friends forget to get you a seat at a concert.
You just had a phone-fight with your family.
You are grieving over a person or relationship.
You Are Having A Tough Time Socially
Everyone has a date for an important social event
except you.
You haven't been recruited by anyone 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 one
or more courses.
You are under pressure to improve your grades.
You are embarrassed because you've never had C's and D's in your life until now.
Remember, these feelings and reactions can be
confronted, put into proper focus and overcome. They
are, however, uncomfortable if left unattended... and
they're a clear invitation to high-pressure recruiters.
YOU CAN TAKE STEPS TO DEAL WITH HIGH-PRESSURE GROUPS
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.
Find out about new religious groups from your church
or synagogue back home.
Don't be afraid to ask questions! Be skeptical.
Don't accept evasive answers.
Don't be afraid to take a stand.
Learn to say "NO."
Examine yourself; are you vulnerable?
Think before you go to a meeting to check it out.
Will you get a clear picture?
Call the phone number in this pamphlet for help and
information.
WHERE YOU CAN GET HELP...
If you want to talk about groups of this sort or you
have questions you would like to ask, there are people
at the University Council of Campus Ministries
(Student Housing Complex Phase II 1108) (323) 343 2571
or the Center for Student Development & Programs (University-Student Union, Room 204) (323) 343-5110
who will listen to you. They are there to help and
serve you.
You may also want to read about high pressure groups on the world wide web at
www.CultsOnCampus.com
Content derived, with premission,
from a publication of the
Office of Relgious Affairs
University of California, San Diego
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