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All
I work in a UK university and I picked up a leaflet
produced by the chaplaincy. It is to help students avoid what it terms
"Destructive Religious Groups". It suggests that the student seeks advice if the
group meets 3 or more of the following criteria.
1 The group seems to be perfect. Everyone agrees
and follows all orders cheerfully.
2 The group claims to have all the answers to your
problems.
3 You are asked to recruit new members soon after
joining.
4 You begin to feel guilty and ashamed, unworthy as
a person.
5 The group encourages you to put their meetings
and activities before all other commitments.
6 The group speaks in a derogatory way about your
past religious affiliations.
7 Your parents and friends are defined as unable to
understand and help you with religious matters.
8 Doubts and questions are seen as signs of weak
faith. You are shunned if you persist in these doubts.
9 Males are believed to have more rights and
abilities than females.
10 You are invited on a retreat with the group but
they cannot give you an overview of the purpose, theme, or activities before you
go.
How many of these criteria does your congregation
meet? I have been in some which would meet > 50%. [BTW Don't get on your high
horse and start, "How dare he"! Think about how you just might be viewed in your
neighbourhood.
BoW
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