The Chronicle: Colloquy: The question

THE QUESTION

A group supported by the Unification Church sued the State of Maryland this week, charging that a report ordered by the General Assembly on campus cult activity amounts to unconstitutional interference with religious freedom. The legislature created a panel to study the issue and produce the report after hearing from parents about groups that exert significant influence on students. For years, some parents and campus officials have called for more of an effort to warn students -- particularly new students who may be vulnerable to appeals from organizations that offer instant friendship and a sense of belonging -- about cults. But some of the alleged cults, as well as some civil libertarians, have opposed such warnings, saying that students have the right to experiment with different groups and that it is inappropriate for colleges to try to steer students away from a group. Are colleges doing enough to protect new students from cults? When colleges warn students about groups considered to be cults, are the colleges engaged in a form of religious discrimination?

For further information, see this background story:

Group Financed by Rev. Moon's Church Sues Maryland Over Report on Campus Cult Activity (8/18/99)

: 45 RESPONSES (New 2/26)

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