Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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GAMECOCK LXXIV, No. 86 University of South Carolina Monday February 22, 1982 ucr1 Aff:?:Qic rL ' unidHlS, til Rv FORREST RROWN Staff Writer f American concern over cults exploded a few years ago with the Jim Jones incident in Guyana. Since then, cults have been the center of concern and controversy. USC is no exception. Although not as visible as the cult of Jim Jones, cult groups are operating on USC, causing concern among university staff and campus chaplains. ? On Feb. 18, university staff, resident hall directors, and campus chaplains met for an information-oriented meeting pfinnomino milt nnpraHnnc nnH "5tmn(*-arm wifnpssinc" hv some groups. Woody Hammett, chaplain at the Baptist Student Union, opened the meeting by explaining the difference between a cult and a sect. "A sect is a religious group that has branched away from a parent group. Their foundation is the same as the parent crrrmr?c hut thf?v int*?rnrpt matprinl in 'A npw wav." said "-vv* r-??? ? ? ^ ? "These groups often claim special ^ 'revelations of truth' only available through them." Hammett. "For example, there is one Christian sect that says you must speak in tongues in order to be saved." Hammett said that a cult is a non-Christian sect thai isolates itself against the world. Hammett said, "These groups (the cults) usually carrj verv common traits. The first trait is authoritarianism. The * ? / ?" leader of the group represses the freedom of the people h< works with," he said. Hammett said he believes these cults are often 44fly-by night" organizations because of this authoritarianism. "Most traditions that last a long time have a great deal o humility. They leave room for God's word to be interprete< differently." Hammett said that these cults are nearly always inflexible Hirtotnrial and unbendine. "Thev want to influence ever area of your personal life." Hammett pointed out a sure sign of the cult: exclusiveness The cults believe that their way, and theirs alone, is the onl ^ correct way to live, he said. W "These groups suffer from a paranoic we/they outlook o the world." LJSC Graduate E By JULIE JAMESON Washington Post. I figured i suff wHier was my best recom ? mendation." ' ^ Through a mixture of Tyler works amid a gres W determination, constant deal of controversy. "(Bob pursuit and a little luck, Woodward and I did a stor Patrick Tyler has reached a on how former CIA chi< point in his career that most Max Hugal was using in newspaper men only dream proper methods on the stoc about ? he's a national market. We had tapes < roru-?rtf>r for thf? Wnchinptnn nhnno r>nnupr?atinns wit Post. Hugal's stock brokers foi Tyler, a 1973 USC graduate, hours after the newspapei was noticed by the were released. It was tl Washington Post because of first big resignation sine a series of articles he wrote Reagan took office, jfe for the St. Petersburg The Hueal storv earn* Times. The stories un- Tyler another Pulitzc covered the fraudulent nomination. actions of a large Florida While a student at US< power corporation. Tyler said he was influence "Because of the story, a lot a great deal by journalis of corporation members professor Dr. Henry Pric went to jail. It was a "One of the first thin] dramatic investigation," Henry Price said to our cla Tv/l*?r saiH ,T(?an Patterson, wns' Rvprvhodv pan't woi S editor of the St. Petersburg forthe Washington Post."' Times nominated Tyler's Tyler said Price train* storv for a Pulitzer prize. him in writing news stori I. ^ as^ec^ Patterson for a and choosing topics. copy of the nomination letter Another USC profess for my parents," Tyler who had a great deal laughed, "Instead, I sent it impact on Tyler was pub] to the managing editor of the relations professor Ti laplains Express onc Hammett said that many cults encourage thi ?' members to break commitments with spouses, family .?nd friends. Other cults often require for members to turn over all their belongings to the cult, with no questions asked. "These groups often claim special 'revelation of truth' only available through them. They keep you so busy that you are only exposed to their thinking with no opportunity to evaluate it for yourself," he said. Greed is another sign of cultic operations. "Cults are unwilling to disclose personal or organizational financial philosophy. They avoid financial accountability to government or other non-affiliated organizations." Hammett said that cult members are constantly raising funds for the group. The cult also demands the right to dictate ivrsnnal hiiHcfets for their members. Cults and their leaders are often unaccountable for their actions, Hammettsaid. "Leaders refuse to be accountable to arybody in or out of the cult. They feel they are God's 'special' chosen leader." Hammett added that cult members are often unwilling to admit any wrongs committed on their part. Finally, cults are found to engage in rationalization of their av^uuiio. "Their wrongs are justified with a defensive spirit. Inappropriate actions are glossed over or whitewashed. There is a noticeable twisting of guidelines, regulations and law to suit their own ends.'' i Hammett said that he could think of five or six cults operating on USC. "There is one group on campus that t claims if you are not baptized through their procedure, you are not a Christian. These groups may use euphemisms of r who they are." * j Jane Young, the other chaplain at the Baptist Student Union, discussed what types of people cults attract. Young said, "Lonely people are most often the victims. The " cults will show an interest in a lonely person. Many times people feel they are a part of a group for the first time in their f lives. It is hard to help someone who feels this way to see the * situation objectively." :, Young said the cults attract students who are under stress y from relationsmps, academic aimcuiues ana iamwy problems. Many times these people are not affirmed by peers >. and are in need of support ? support the cult is more than y willing to offer. n "Many times these groups will appeal to rebellious people," Young said. "Students often use religious in :arns Position On it MacAlvane, who influenced "The pressures can curl i- him in developing his your hair. In working for the "" " " ** ^ r* - X T o lli An grammar anu seiiictiu.n_? rusi 1 vc seen a iiiiinuii it skills. dollars used in trying tc >) Tyler, a great believer in influence the press." y luck, said it took a lot of luck Tyler is enthusiastic about if and determination to make his new position at the Post, l- his way to the Post ? it was "Woodward has started an k no easy road to success. He investigative reporting }f explained, "I was turned section for the paper. There h Hnwn hv hnth thp Charlotte arp pieht rpnorters. and twe ir Observer and the Charlotte editors for the section. 1 *s News because they said I think it's the best thing that's ie had atrocious writing happened to the paper in fivt ;e habits." Tyler said he wrote years," Tyler said. "Long, straightforward Presently, Tyler is bein^ ^d letters to the editors of both sued for $50 million dollar; ir papers. for libel by Mobil Corp. Th< Finally, Darly Sufford, of suit started in 1979 whei C, the Charlotte Observer was Tyler wrote a story whicl id sucker enough to listen to the accused the president o m letters and hire me, Tyler Mobil Corp. of setting up hi: e. joked. son in a shipping operation gs But Tyler said, "95 percent Tyler said that it cost Mobi ss of my experience as a over $1 million to set up thi rk journalist I've learned at the operation. He said the entin rOSl. 11 leiescupeu ill uie iuai ut-di waa uuuciuanuu ed years because of such major business." . i . . ml a r? 1 ~ . rv ^ C AU. es encouniers. mere are iougn oen Diauiey, euuui ui uu decisions, more intimidation Post, Bob Woodward an< or from sources and a lot of Tyler are not clear abou of ethical questions that make why Mobil is pursuing th< lie an impact on an article and lawsuit since Tyler said th< m the entire paper. facts he used are all true ern About Cults volvement to demonstrate rejection of parents." "Other students with certain socialized standards for moral behavior are looking for an excuse through religious freedom to be involved with drugs and sex," Young said. Young said, "There are a lot of people who are just plain confused. To add to that is the world we live in today, witn an its contradictions and complexities. There is so much uncertainty." Young said new religious movements tend to emerge and prosper whenever a society is experiencing upheaval, uncertainty, and massive cultural shifts. This condition is reproduced on a smaller scale in some students disoriented by their entrance into a collegiate society. Another type of people attracted to cults are what Young calls "theseekers." inese people are smeere yuung men anu wumcn v??u mc seeking spiritual roots, for whatever reason, and they are illThe cults will show an interest in a lonely person. Many times people feel they are a part of a group for the c:?4- i:?~ 1:..^ iirst time; aii men lives. equipped to discern error through ignorance, naivety or deception. There is a lack of sophistication in the thought of a i-A - * 1- - ii 1 ?i ?14- ?u ~ ; r 101 oi people am aiieu iu izuus. iu uieiu, n yuu use mc i igm words, you have got the right formula," Young said. "The loneliness factor is a real key for us," Young said. "The first of the semester, around mid-terms, and the end of the semester are key periods to watch out for." Dr. Lauren Brubaker, senior vice president for Academic Affairs, expressed his concern for the victims of these cults at the meeting. "A number of students are not strong enough to cope with this type of pressure that these groups exert, he said. Brubaker proposed counter-solutions to those of the cults. "Most of these people with problems need a support group. We need to show interest and concern so they don't think they are lost in this big machine. We need to get them involved in a group that gives them a sense of healthy support, rather than exploiting them." ; "Some neonle are so disturbed that thev need counseling. but they are reluctant," he said. Washington Post Tyler said the court has given Mobil full "fishing i rights" which allows them ? i /i n o c c 4 I VIU 1 ? '? W O O V V/ U 1 i I I .r"''r-~ Washington Post files concerning their cor- |?^9KL poration. [ Pulitzer prize nomination V ^SKKmr this year. The Washington UjSKmBk > Post nominated Tyler and " VYUUUWaiU 1U1 U1CII coverage of the John F. Kennedy tape incident. They discovered, by obtaining I \ tapes from the JFK library ' , ; 5 in Boston, that Kennedy J taped phone conversations i - -- .... I)?4t<i/>lr Tirlfti" i at the White House while he * ? . ?%.?* * ji^? i was president. competitive pressures He said he doubts the Post between reporters are not 5 will receive the Pulitzer very great prize because of the cir1 cumstances surrounding the Tyler said, "People come s Janet Cooke scandal. Tyler to the Post to do the best 2 was discouraged that the work of their careers. The i Cooke incident really put a pressures imposed are selfbad name on the Washington directed. They are good 2 Post. He said Cooke spoke of pressure on ourseives unu i the intense pressure among drive us to achieve." t reporters to get stories. To relieve the pressures e Tvler said the oressure is that do accumulate, Tyler e placed only on the reporter said he loves to sail along the to do a good story and that Potomac.