Frankly speaking, I experienced all kinds of cult groups when I was studying and getting my bachelor's degree. I joined none of them, but learned something from my association with all of them. I found that in almost every instance, these groups offered a moral and theistic approach to life that required discipline and faith, as well as good character, something that institutions of higher learning are usually the first to assert are requirements in learning and preparing the student for a profession or a career in whatever specialization they may decide to major in. Conversely, I found that the more negative effects of behavior that led to weak minds and bad directions in life came from the school condoned atmosphere of looking the other way when it came to smoking pot, taking illicit drugs, drinking and engaging in unmarried and illicit sexual activities. This kind of activity was in fact going on on every floor of the school dorm. Floor monitors just winked and looked the other way. This was somehow condoned as sort of acceptable student behavior and justified as "sowing wild oats" or "rites of adulthood".

Although the atmosphere has changed some, I never saw the institutions of higher learning looking into these kinds of illegal actions, because they didn't want to step on the student's rights to "Do Their Own Thing". Somewhere, along the line, it became okay to do that when dealing with religious groups. In other words, somewhere along the line, the established powers that be, or at least some of them, in educational institutions and legal institutions in this country decided that the effects of behavioral change caused by someone coming to terms with themselves through the religious process, and then changing their life around, and behaving differently was somehow the result of a cult group's mind control activity. Well, so has it ever been. It seems to me that it was in many ways the same at the time of Jesus, at the time of Luther, at the time of Religious Revival in America (Great Awakening). And so is it now.

De Tocqueville said that "America was great because America is good." He said that the power in America was seen in it's churches and synagogues, in a country that sought to define itself as a people of belief and faith. I think the study of religion, as well as philosophy or even a mind/body discipline is something that will, in general, help young people to become better students, better adults and better citizens. Even if that religion is an unpopular one. When did we define religion as having value because of it's popularity. From my experience, God is not trying to win a popularity contest, He is engaged in revealing Himself to His Children to help them overcome the weaker and baser aspects of their character and lives and to help them to strengthen the process of self renewal and societal renewal so that we can become something greater- so that our community can become something greater- "A City on a Hill"- a shining example of what Life Can Be. Religion helps people to tackle that challenge and recreate something that will be better for our children and our children's children.

I think it is time to stop this stupid and repressive attempt to control the rights and activities of the students and faculty of Maryland. I think it is time to get rid of this "Task Force" and spend the taxpayers money in some area that will actually make life more livable, and will be something that the taxpayer can approve of. Get out of the game of studying people's behavior, and then telling them what to do! We are adults and we can make up our own minds, thank you.

-- Paul L. Rosenbaum, elder, True Family Values Ministry, Howard County, Maryland (posted 8/23, 9:54 a.m., E.D.T.)

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