Religious Harassment

When you say NO and they won't listen

It is hard to say no
when you are new to University

It is hard to say no
when you are a foreign student very far from home.

It is hard to say no
when classes and labs are going poorly and a religious group is so friendly.

To say no...
we need the support of friends (old and new), family, and persons whose wisdom we value:

• faculty member
• dean's office staff
• graduate resident
• housemaster
• clergy member

Beware of people with answers to all of life's problems.

GOOD ANSWERS ARE RARELY EASY AND CLEAR CUT.

Beware of religious groups or people who pressure you because they know what's right for you.

NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO PRESSURE YOU ABOUT A RELIGIOUS DECISION.

Beware of religious friends who claim to know you and your needs better than your family and old friends.

RELIGIOUS GROUPS SHOULD NOT DEGRADE OR EXCLUDE OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS.

Beware of people who are excessively or inappropriately flattering or friendly.

RELATIONSHIPS OF REAL LOVE ARE NOT INSTANT; A GROUP WHICH SURROUNDS YOU WITH IMMEDIATE CONCERN MAY BE PRACTICING ``LOVE-BOMBING,'' A FORM OF RECRUITMENT.
(It's not impolite to say no.)

Beware of groups that affirm only your wrongness, and only the world's wrongness.

A DESPAIRING ATTITUDE TOWARD THE EARTH AND PEOPLE IS HARDLY RESPECTFUL OF YOU OR OTHERS.

Beware of invitations to isolated weekend workshops or retreats where the sponsoring agent and the program are vague.

VAGUENESS IS OFTEN THE TRADEMARK OF HARASSMENT.

Realize that not all groups are destructive, there are religious groups on campus and in the community that provide a nurturing, stimulating, and positive environment. Be discriminating in your choice.

Some religious groups attempt, through pressure, to lure an individual to a religious belief which she or he does not already practice.

Observe the group's responses to you and how you feel. If you are sometimes uncomfortable, or any of the following statements are 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.

• The group seems perfect. Everyone agrees and follows orders cheerfully.
• The group claims to have ``all the answers'' to your problems.
• You are asked to recruit new members soon after joining.
• You begin to feel guilty and ashamed, unworthy as a person.
• The group encourages you to put their meetings and activities before all other commitments, including studying.
• The group speaks in a derogatory way about your past religious affiliation.
• Your parents and friends are defined as unable to understand and help you with religious matters.
• Doubts and questions are seen as signs of weak faith. You are shunned if you persist in these doubts.
• Males are believed to have more rights and abilities than females.
• You 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.

• An authoritarian leadership which claims exclusive access to God's will.
• Total control over members' daily lives.
• Exclusivity and isolation.
• Development of unhealthy emotional dependence.
• Prohibition of critical analysis and independent thinking.
• Utilization of methods of ego destruction and mind control.
• Exploitative working conditions which discourage the full use of one's abilities.
• Discouragement of free and independent pursuit of education.

The Administration and the Chaplains' Office at your University will be concerned about the effect of destructive religious groups on the students..

They will also concerned about freedom of speech and freedom of religion. These terribly important values in our need to be balanced by the person's right to say no.

Most religious groups readily respect a person's right to say no. If a religious group refuses to take your no seriously, either by persistent phone calling or invitations to meetings and conversations, you are not being respected.
->> This is harassment. <<-

We want to thank the Harvard United Ministry for use of their materials which have been adopted for use here.