University is a time to explore beliefs, but not every group on campus has good intentions. Here are the warning signs of high-pressure religious recruitment, and who to contact for help.
The UoA campus is easily accessible to the public. Not every person or group you will meet on campus has good intentions.
Students are popular targets for religious recruiters, who will use high pressure and manipulative tactics to convince you to join their groups, which are often fronts for high-control religions.
Check out some tips to assess how legitimate a group is:
Red Flags (If You’re Being Targeted for Recruitment)
- Are they evasive about the name of their group and the church it’s connected to, or does the group use multiple names?
- Are they quick to denigrate other religions and beliefs?
- Do they seem desperate to get your contact information or to invite you to an event?
- Are they vague or opaque about their group’s organisational structure, finances, or theology (belief system)?
- Does their theology revolve around an imminent apocalypse and/or a messiah figure who is infallible and cannot be questioned?
Red Flags (If You’re Already Involved in a New Group)
- Are members under pressure to cut off ties to study, work, friends, and family?
- Are questions and debate discouraged and suppressed?
- Have you felt under pressure to undergo a commitment ritual you are uncomfortable with e.g. baptism?
- Is there a significant and ongoing financial commitment you feel pressured to provide?
- Do other members seem to spend most of their time volunteering for the group, especially recruiting?
- Do members imitate group leaders, e.g. use the same vocabulary or personal style?
- Do group leaders spend time monitoring and observing their members?
University is a time to explore beliefs, challenge old ideas, and adopt new ones. We respect the legal right of all to adopt and practice religious and other beliefs.
But we encourage you to always thoroughly research new groups. A legitimate and safe organisation will encourage questions and allow you time to draw your own conclusions.
Contacts for Help
If you have any questions or issues feel free to email advice@ausa.org.nz or come to the AUSA House (4 Alfred Street) on city campus.