University of South Carolina Libraries
Ol Cults ca] By NICOLE BYR1) Staff Writer Religious cults can he a hidden danger facing young people searching for a place to belong. These organizations can provide the illusion of instant friendships and security, hut many times control juid manipulate their members. "We don't have a precise definition of what a cull is, but it's generally viewed in a negative light," said Professor ilal Trench, chairperson of the USC Department of Religious Studies. French said cults usually take a literal view of Scripture and have a charismatic leader that makes strong demands on members, who are strictly loyal to the group. The Cult Awareness Network (CAN) lists the Boston Church of Christ movement as one of the top five groups they've received calls and complaints about. Churches in uiis movement can usuany oe associated with a city, such as the Atlanta Church of Christ or Columbia Church of Christ. l"he Columbia Church of Christ, not to be confused with the mainstream Churches of Christ, is affiliated with the Boston Church of Christ. The organization has a Bible study group at USC called Campus Advance, sometimes called Christian Student Association on other campuses. Cynthia Kisser, executive director of CAN, said, "We get complaints every month about the Boston Church of Christ movement. Many of the people who have called and left the group believe their experience was a cult rvnpripnrp v,,,'v* "Because we get so many calls and complaints about them, we have two books we sell and an information packet specifically about that group in order to meet sit, wti: a!S Stop by the Herf Display and pick i for additional dol Herff Jone use R] Monday ? April 10:00 am USC BOOKSTORE ! ?? ???? ? PERS< pitalize or (he -demand of calls," she said. Columbia Church of Chrisl minister and Campus Advance director lony Grant said, '"I think many individuals have the wrong pcreep- ; lion of what we're like. We adhere to the Bible. John 12:47-48 teaches that the word of God will judge us. ; It is absolutely vital that the Bible is our standard and- that we should not deviate from it." 1'he Boston Church of Christ movement is a Christian organiza- < lion that focuses mainly on the Bible's New Testament and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Each church member has a discipling partner to whom they confess their sins. "The Bible has a lot to say about advice ? listening to it and accepting it," Grant said. "If it's scriptural advice, then people need to adhere to it. We try to hold people's lives accountable to the Bible." The Columbia Church of Christ and its affiliates are mostly comprised of young adults and have thrived on college campuses. Critics claim they seek out lonely and insecure students. A IISC student, who wished to remain anonymous, was involved with the church this past semester. "They made a point to tell me that they weren't trying to push me into making a decision about what church I should go to, but that the Bible would tell me. They said that the choice would be obvious." CAN reports say the top five groups from most to least that they've received complaints about are: the satanism movement, the Church of Scientology, the Boston Church of Christ movement, Form/EST and the Unification Church. The satanism movement started in Europe and is very diverse. JATIVE 90.5 If* I T Jones College Ring lp a scratch card good liar discounts on your s College Ring. NG DAYS and Tuesday 19 & 20 until 3:30 pm RUSSELL HOUSE Carolina! wee >NAtr i desire t( Mcmhcix cvn riiiutK ;is; it vvav " " 'x'vv"' "" ? ? " '' "J to acquire power. The Church of Scientology believes in dianctic counseling, or auditing, which leads individuals to become clear of engrains, or learned behavior and conflicts, and attain full human potential, becoming aware of personal divinity. Their key figure in history is L. Ron Hubbard. Form/HST is a group that focuses on members reaching their human potential in their professional and personal lives through intensive workshops. The Unification Church is an Asian religion in which members believe leader Sun Myung Moon is the messiah. They are popularly known as the "moonies." liach member contributes their talents to the group, and many live communally. According to the USC Department of Student Affairs, students should ask themselves several questions when joining any organization: What commitments of time, money and other resources will be expected of me? Will I be discouraged from associating with my family and friends? Will I be encouraged to continue my studies, to succeed and graduntp nr dnp<i ihp ornnn sav that its activities are more important than school? Docs the group predict tragedy will befall anyone who leaves this group? Students who aren't sure of the answers to these questions about any group they're involved in can contact the university chaplain at 777-4100, the Counseling and Human Development Center at 777-5223 or the University Committee of Religious Affairs at 777-4172. ELvc^rty Fridai/ ? 1?\ Aoril 1A nv\A H ' T ' ' P.J. ot tine yea A ho Onrte Q (Pridaw t 922 Main St. in tl Call 256-2784 for t j Earn $2,0 While You Si On Most Anything1 <fen, * sv?\tinz 'Apphanc Travel 1-800-756-2201 For Columbiana ^TPoint Of No Return [El ^ 1:15 3:45 7:15 W I he Crying Game IE] 1 1:00 4:00 7:15 9:45 12:00 ^r^enage Mutant Ninja Turtles^? ^ 1:30 4:00 7:00 E*H ^rHuckelberry Finn E3 1 1:30 4:00 7:00 9:30 19-00 M 1 9:00 12:00 ken FY ) belong 9 , ILmi* m ^ agsg&gSS | The Division of Student Affairs suggested 10 checkpoints to help identify a cult. 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, including studying. 6. The eroup speaks in a derogatory way about your past religious affiliation. 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. Leadership of the group is mostly male, and males in general are believed to have different rights and abilities than females. 10. Yqu are invited on a retreat with the group, but they can't give you an overview of the purpose, theme or activities before you go. and iafcurdal/ W <1^ A/I 7 ^ ir Ravid Riddle ?n/i/ and Mad Maxx) he Upper Deck nore information 00 Per Month Extra ive 20-50% ifou Already Buy... goods Groceries es Health Insurance 275,000 More Items More Information 'r Discount Matinees-All Seats $3.50 Before 5:30pm I "Rush Hour" Special Last Matinee Show $2.75 Tuesday Bargain Nite-AII Seats $3.50 Student Specials $4.00 w/student ID Late Nite shows on Fri & Sat Box Office Opens at 12:30 r The Sandlot E3 ^^B ^ 1:20 4:20 7:20 9:20 12:00 M T' Born Yesterday EH3 ^ 1:30 4:15 7:15 9:30 12:00 M V' Indecent Proposal 0 ^^B ^ 1:00 3:40 7:00 9:40 12:00 M ^ 1:00 3:45 7:00 9:30 12:00 M ^boiling Point [HI ^^B ^ 1:00 3:50 7:30 9:45 12:00 ^ ^^^lac^c^id^El ^ 1:00 3:45 7:30 9:45 12:00 M ^FiftyFifty El d hp Members of Omega Psi Phi frat< Gras Costume Festival to raise n Scholarship Fund. Festival rais in spirit of & By NICOLE BYRD Staff Writer If you missed Mardi Gras in New Orleans, don't despair. You can experience the fun and excitement of Fat Tuesday and much more at the Omega Psi Phi fraternity's Mardi Gras Costume Festival this Saturday. The festival raises money for the Charles R. Drew Memorial Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is awarded to a local area high school student and is based on academic excellence and financial need. Physician and surgeon Charles R. Drew, who died in 1954, was a member of the fraternity. The Mardi Gras tradition began in 1974. The last Mardi Gras held at USC by the Zeta Zeta chapter was in 1V5V ana nao an attendance of 900 to 1,100 people. This year's Mardi Gras is expected to be just as successful. There will be a costume contest in which contestants walk down a fictitious Bourbon Street and the winners are awarded cash and prizes. P'ood and drinks are free. A variety of costumes from the wild to the unusual can be seen at the festival. People have been known to come as cowboys, Trojans, cats and pirates. Seventies wear and Afros are popular, and, once, someone dressed up as a baby, wearing a diaper. Omega Psi Phi President Victor Jones said, "A lot of people rent costumes, but most people create their own. The more filPTh A NCCV h THE GAMECOCK NEWSPAPER W WORK AS A SECTION EDITOR JOBS INCLUDE ALL SECTION ED COPV EDITORS, GRAPHIC DESIGI WRITERS AND FIRE-EATIN CYCLOPSES WHO JUGGLE KNIVt IS THE LAST DAY TO SIGN UP I WILL BE TODAY AND SATURDA RUSSELL HOUSE. COME BY J VEGETATE ALL SEMESTER IN RERUNS OF THE BRADY BUNCH THE GAM It's about time reading the fi wm < Accepting Applicat Due April 21 at ti Applications availabl Call Stacie Hamm 7-4' Board of Peers deals witl of the housing contrac violations occuring ir Ht i l File Photo irnity participate in the Mardi \oney for the Charles R. Drew es money dardi Gras creative, the better." International studies senior Deittra Wilder has never been to Mardi Gras, but is looking forward to going this year. "I heard that it's really fun," she said. "Part of the excitement is hying to find something to wear. Instead of people asking, 'Are you going?' they're asking. vvnai aie you iiuinvi 10 uicss up as?"' Many students who went to Mardi Gras '89 plan to go again this year. Sociology senior Erica Booth, who attended the last Mardi Gras, said, "The last one was really nice, and everyone dressed up in costumes. I went as a cat. I think a lot of people are planning to go again this year. "We try to attain the same atmosphere as Mardi Gras in New Orleans," Booth said. "From the minute you enter the door, we like to take you into another world. A world of festivities, fun and fantasy where you can let loose for about five hours. Afterwards, you wait and hope the next Mardi Gras comes back soon." Mardi Gras will be held from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. at the National Guard Armory on Bluff Road. Transportation will be provided all night, starting at 9:30 p.m. Pick-up areas will be the Russell 11 /v _ , . iif . . .1 House, vapsione, uaies west anu the Towers. Advance tickets are $8 per person or $15 per couple. Tickets are on sale in front of the Russell House on Greene Street. "JOB?] ANTS YOU, YES YOU, TO IN THE FALL SEMESTER. ITORS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, HERS, SENIOR AND STAFF G, HOT-COAL-WALKING S BLINDFOLDED. TODAY FOR INTERVIEWS, WHICH Y IN ROOM 321 OF THE \ND SIGN UP OR JUST YOUR DORM WATCHING I. THE CHOICE IS YOURS. ECOCK. : we start ne print. / Peer Conduct Board ions for '93-'94 ie "I" Building e in "I" Building 129 for more info h specific violations t& conduct code i residence halls.