1998 Students exploring the diverse college life at Cal State Long Beach are most likely exposed to new experiences on a daily basis. One of these new experiences may be that of attempted recruitment into a cult. The University Interfaith Center held a panel presentation yesterday discussing the dangers of cults looking for new recruits on campus. Most people think of Jonestown and Waco when thinking of cults, when the reality is that most cults appear to be normal, friendly clubs or bible studies, said Adele Langworthy, Protestant campus minister. By seeming loving and benign, cults are able to draw in students who may be lonely and seeking closeness.
Students are prime targets.
College students are searching, but not only careerwise. According to the center, there are specific characteristics of a cult that one should be aware of. Cults work at isolating members from friends and family, and instill feelings of guilt and faithlessness to keep individuals from straying, Langworthy said. After a new recruit has been separated from past support systems, the cults require large donations as well. If and when a member does try to leave the group, cult leaders will isolate the individual, and harass the member for hours.