High Pressure Groups at University

"No, I don't belong to the 'thought police' but the fact of the matter is there are University Groups...and then there are groups that are 'Predatory'".

Everyone of us wants to feel wanted. So, it's flattering to be asked to join a group. The thing is that at University, many of us find ourselves invited to spend our time with different organisations - clubs and societies of all kinds. In the "democratised" atmosphere of Uni some rely on your free choice for joining them while others use harassing recruiting efforts to win you over. I've particularly noticed students whose first language isn't English being targeted by certain individuals for special treatment.

Among the clubs and organisations you'll find numerous religious, political and social groups. Some are wonderfully quirky, some are well organised, and some are very informal. Choosing to belong to a group is no big deal, but it just may be a very important decision in your life. Because chances are if you join a good group you will have fun and benefit from the social, religious or political experiences the group offers. It may help you find a way into an experience of "making human life more truly human". But, be aware that at any given point in time on the campus there are several organised and informal religious (regretably some Christian), or political, or social groups that use harassing and offensive recruiting tactics. Listing their names could be problematic and sueable. Mostly it would be a waste of time since the names of these groups change frequently. But sadly some of the worst at harassing people are large established Christian groups. Often with the cultish groups what their "Constitution" states is drastically different to their real intentions. However, you can usually identify the predatory groups by their methods - be they homophobic, sexist, patriarchal, or just down right racist.

Why are High Pressure Groups so Harmful?

• They tend to try to isolate you from your family, friends and other groups.
• They may ask you to give up control of your critical faculties, your thoughts and decisions.
• They tend to focus on guilt and shame in order to manipulate you.
• They work to promote a crisis in your education, your career or your love life.
• They may resort to frightening you to the point that you stop making decisions and asking meaningful questions for yourself.

When am I likely to be Recruited?

What are these High Pressure Groups: How can I Spot them?

Destructive cults try to "clone" people to become small versions of the group leader, rather than respect people's individuality, creativity and self-will. Predatory groups are any group of people who have a set of beliefs and rituals which are non-mainstream and closed off to external examination. As long as people are freely able to choose to join with full disclosure of the group's doctrine and practices and can choose to disaffiliate without fear or harassment, then it doesn't fall under the behavioural pattern of a psychologically destructive cult category.

Are all Destructive Cult Groups Religious?

So, make sure that you observe the group's responses to you and how you feel about making up your "own" mind. If you have quires about any of the following statements, I suggest you should seriously reconsider your involvement with the group.

• The group seems to be perfect, and everyone agrees with the rules and follows all orders cheerfully.
• The group claims to have all the answers to your and the world's problems.
• You are asked to believe all their moral judgements and recruit new members soon after joining.
• As you enter into the life of the group 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 family and study.
• The group speaks in derogatory ways about marginalised people and all 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 real commitment to the group's goals. You are shunned if you persist in your doubts.
• Leadership of the group is dominantly male, and males in general are believed to have superior 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 or theme or the activities before you go.
• The group does not clearly indicate to whom it is accountable, or who is its sponsoring body.

You are most vulnerable to high pressure groups when...

• 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 University.

• Your friends constantly seem to forget to include you in whatever is going on.
• You just had a pretty drastic fight with your family.
• Your mind feels so open as to be vacant.
• You are really grieving over a person or a relationship.
• You are in trouble financially.

• 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 eating, study and sleep.

• You feel like a failure because you're failing a course.
• You are under a lot of pressure to improve your grades.
• You are embarrassed because you've never had this many low grades until now.

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 an old friend, a parent, a professor or lecturer, one of the University Counsellors, or one of the University Chaplains.
• Find out about new religious cults or political groups from your Church, Mosque, Synagogue or Faith Community back home.
• Don't be afraid to ask questions! Be sceptical. Don't accept evasive answers.
• Don't be afraid to trust your ability to discern the truthfulness of what you have been told to believe.
• Don't be afraid to take a stand.
• Learn to say NO even when the group really pressures you.
• Examine yourself, be honest with yourself, are you vulnerable?
• Think before you go to a meeting. Ask around about the group - there are a lot of "clued up" people on campus. Really ask yourself about the group, who are they? What do they represent, what are their political connections? Check them out.
• When you ask questions of the group are you offered a clear picture - or told to wait awhile?
• Have you relied solely on trust that all of the information you were given is true or have you done independent investigation?

And this is Very Important,

Where you can get Help...

With you in the learning,

Rev. Dr. John Hirt
UCA Chaplain to the Universities
jhirt@mail.usyd.edu.au

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