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:: Understanding Cults and
Aggressive Religious Organizations
The University Chaplaincy at UTM is concerned about the tactics of high-pressure religious groups in residences and at other places on campus. These groups are often referred to as "cults." In response, we have designed this page to help you -- as a UTM student -- better understand what a cult is, and know what resources you can contact if you are approached or if you are concerned about a friend who you believe is becoming involved in an aggressive religious organization.
The University Chaplaincy supports a variety of religious activities on campus. We rejoice in the religious plurality of UTM. We are opposed to religious harassment, and we affirm the roles of personal freedom, open critical reflection and doubt in healthy religious growth.
Some Things to Look Out For
Some religious groups attempt to pressure individuals to accept religious beliefs that they do not already practice. If you become concerned about a group you have joined, observe the group's responses to you and how you feel. If you are sometimes uncomfortable or find a number of the following statements true about a group with which you are becoming involved, you should seek advice from a trusted person, outside of this group, and reconsider your involvement. When you reflect upon your interactions, do some of these statements and questions resonate with you?
- Does the group seem too perfect? Do people agree and accept all orders cheerfully?
- In the group, do you find yourself without enough private time? enough nourishment? enough sleep?
- Does the group claim to have "all the answers" to your problems? Does the group make claims they can't fulfill?
- Does the group make it difficult to place phone calls, receive letters, visit with old friends, or discuss your thoughts with people you trust who are not in the group?
- Does the group say that your parents and friends cannot understand or help you with religious matters?
- Is it unacceptable to have doubts about what the group teaches or does? Is doubt seen as a sign of weakness?
- Does the group view all aspects of your former life as bad? Is the group reluctant to accept you as you are? Do you feel pressure to change?
- Is it proper to deceive people for the sake of the group?
- Are you uncomfortable with the group's attitude towards women or a particular racial or ethnic group?
- Does the group encourage you to put their meetings before all other commitments, including studying?
If you experience interactions with groups that reflect any of these statements, you should speak with a trusted friend, colleague or advisor. You may also contact the UTM Chaplain at multifaith.utm@utoronto.ca.
This page was last updated by Zico Barnett on November 13, 2007 . All contents copyright ©, 2004. University of Toronto at Mississauga. All rights reserved.