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High-Pressure Groups at Cal State L.A.

Winter 2003 High-Pressure Groups, Front and Center, Cross Cultural Centers Newsletter, Issue No. 2, California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State L.A.)
While you are a student at Cal State L.A., many organizations and groups may ask you to join them. The great majority of the groups are well-meaning and constructive. However, some of the groups that approach you may use manipulative and coercive techniques of persuasion and mind control, which can ultimately be destructive to you.

Destructive groups, commonly referred to as cults, are known to recruit students at colleges and universities across the country. You may be approached by a cult recruiter while relaxing in your residence hall, studying in the library, eating in the University-Student Union, or walking around campus. They may ask you to share ideas about your values, goals, and religious beliefs.

Cult leaders may also invite you to attend one of their meetings or a retreat, which may take place on or off campus. Although you may feel flattered that someone is taking interest in you, this personal attention often leads to increased demands on a person's time and commitment to the group. Through the use of subtle and persuasive psychological manipulation, cult organizations can make the group so important that all previously held values, beliefs, and commitments to family and friends are abandoned and replaced with a cult identity.

An initially small commitment, such as a Bible study, or dinner, can evolve into some other larger commitments, including:

  • Asking you for specific monetary contributions from your paychecks to the organization
  • Insulting your current friends, family, and romantic partners so that you see the organization as the only group that cares about you
  • Scheduling your free time, so that you're so busy you have no time for commitments outside the group
  • Insisting that you recruit or minister to other students-regardless of whether those students want your services or not
  • Arranging your romantic partners or dates so that you're only socializing with group members

If you feel you've become involved with high-pressure campus organizations and want help, please contact the Center for Student Development and Programs at 323.343.5110 or Campus Ministries at 323.343.2571. You may also check out the website: www.cultsoncampus.com for more information about high-pressure groups.

The views expressed in Front and Center do not necessarily reflect those of California State University, Los Angeles, the University-Student Union or their students, staff, and administrators.

Posted with permission.