| Show Beware of religious groups ps claiming spiritual superiority A CPS chaplain recently warned that cults have been recruiting followers on college campuses and drafted a list of warning signs for students Chaplain Anselm Amadio noted four common common common com com- mon characteristics of cults in a letter to the editor of the Illinois Institute of Technology student newspaper They are A sense of spiritual su su- su- su Amadio says that some cults view themselves as a special al elite movement emphasize that they are non-denominational non and tend to view criticism as hostile persecution Isolationist attitudes These organizations insulate insulate insulate late themselves from outside outside outside out out- side sources of information information information tion including religious teaching and may even go goso goso goso so far as attempting to structure a members member's social life A oriented control-oriented leadership Spiritual leaders ers of these organizations at at- tempt to control and influence influence influence in in- fluence the thoughts expressions expressions expressions ex ex- and activities of the me members bers on a daily basis These leaders see critical questioning as rebellious and obnoxious Making scapegoats of those who leave the or or- n. n Usually members members members mem mem- bers who challenge the views of the leadership are criticized and expelled expelled expelled ex ex- ex- ex sometimes causing psychological scars on on the ex No one should be re required required required re- re to submit to surrendering sur surrendering sur- sur rendering over these distinctively distinctively distinctively dis dis- dis- dis human gifts gifts of of dignity freedom and autonomy to to any personality personality personality per per- cult cult Amadio writes When depression anxiety and stress enter our lives we have recourse to various professional and spiritual resources Amadio suggests using campus counseling centers standing long-standing community churches or campus ministries for guidance and spiritual help |
