Cult activity threatens ‘vulnerable’ students
AN EXPERT ON CULTS has recently revealed that Universities are fertile breeding grounds and potential targets for sects.
Sam Jordison, author of the bestselling book Crap Towns, has just released a book on the subject entitled ‘The Joy of Sects, and believes that students are a “prime target” and that cult’s recruitment drives on campuses across the country are becoming more widespread and successful.
“Students present an attractive target to any type of recruiter; young, impressionable and far from home. Generally it’s consulting firms who aim to employ students on campus, but there appears to be a trend for a new competitor in the running for fresh minds.”
US website, cultsoncampus.com, specifically warns new students about the wooing of susceptible freshers, who they believe promise a surrogate family when the security of home suddenly disappears. The website instructs on how to recognise a cult, advising, “Be wary of groups that demand too much loyalty, use deceptive recruiting practices, or ask you to commit too much of your time.”
Although at the moment there seems to be no campus cult activity at York, Jordison warns “there is a very real risk of it happening. The vulnerable can be exploited for financial and commercial purposes.
“By seeming to offer the answers people are searching for, large sums of money are often pried from innocents as membership fees, followed up with pressure to maintain a standing donation. Money can often be drained away and with their termly student loans, they prove a very attractive proposition financially.”
However, some groups vying for membership may not be so threatening. The UFO enthralled Aetherius Society object to being classified as a cult. The Society’s spokesperson said they are “strongly opposed to the negative practices of such groups”. Instead they profess to be dedicated to world peace and enlightenment. In their eye salvation comes from chanting mantras from high peaks, not from opening your wallet.
Despite protests, various organisations have gained a high profile in the media and been labelled as ‘cults’. Scientology, a religious movement which was established to provide an alternative to psychotherapy in 1951, has been brought to the attention of the world by Tom Cruise’s televised proclamations and they now operate drop-in centres in an increasing number of high streets.
As well as this, Madonna’s financial input to the Kabbala group who practice a form of Jewish mysticism has also been widely publicised and attacked.
BY Elliot Taylor - DEPUTY EDITOR
