1. Freedom of Religion and Cults:
A Training Curriculum for
Resident Assistants
Presented by:
Russell Elleven, EdD, LPC
Jeff Allen, PhD

2. Objectives
 Raise Awareness of this issue
 Present opportunities for discussion
 Offer two differing views of the “cult” issue
 Present the results of three studies of cults on
college campuses
 Examine a training agenda for combating cults
on campus

3. Definitions of a Cult
 “Conservative” Definition
– “A group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive
devotion or dedication to some person, idea, or thing and
employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion
and control designed to advance the goals of the group’s
leaders, to the actual or possible detriment of members, their
families, or community”
– “close allegiance to a charismatic leader, an inordinate
preoccupation on the part of the group with the attainment of
money, and the use of behavior modification practices and
brainwashing techniques to convert and retain members”
(Blimling, 1995, p. 394)

4. Definitions of a Cult
 “Liberal” Definition
– “A deviant religious organization with novel beliefs and
practices”

5. Further Clarification
Church
Sect
Cult

6. Survey Results
* 1 = Impossible; 2 = Unlikely; 3 = Unknown; 4 = Likely; 5 = Probable
11 There are currently students on my
campus involved in cults?
0.0 17.3 40.7 22.2 19.8
12 There have never been students on
my campus involved in cults?
28.4 35.8 27.2 6.2 2.5
13 There is currently a staff or faculty
member on my campus who is
involved in a cult?
6.2 17.3 63.0 8.6 4.9
14 There has never been a staff or faculty
member on my campus who has been
involved in a cult?
17.3 25.9 46.9 6.2 3.7
Student or Staff Involvement in Cult Activity – CCOs
Question 1 2 3 4 5

7. 15 What is the likelihood of a student from
your campus being involved in a cult in
the next five years?
0.0 11.1 27.2 29.6 32.1
16 What is the likelihood of a staff or
faculty member from your campus
being involved in a cult in the next five
years?
2.5 14.8 42.0 23.5 16.0
Survey Results
* 1 = Impossible; 2 = Unlikely; 3 = Unknown; 4 = Likely; 5 = Probable
Probability of Future Cult Issues – Chief Counseling Officers
Question 1 2 3 4 5

8. Survey Results
5 Are you aware of student or staff on your campus
involved in a cult?
18.2 81.8
6 Has there ever been a staff member in your
department involved in a cult?
11.7 88.3
8 Do you have knowledge of resident in your
system being involved in cults?
27.6 72.4
9 Has any of the staff in your department had to
deal with cult members in the resident hall?
23.3 76.7
Student or Staff Involvement in Cult Activity - CHOs
Question yes no

9. 12 A student in your residence hall
system being involved in a cult in the
next five years.
.2 11.6 23.4 36.7 28.0
13 A member of your staff being involved
in a cult in the next five years.
3.1 42.9 33.4 15.0 5.6
14 A student in your residence hall
system is involved in a cult at this time
.7 17.4 35.1 26.4 20.3
15 A staff member is involved in a cult at
this time
8.2 47.5 32.7 6.8 4.8
Survey Results
* 1 = Impossible; 2 = Unlikely; 3 = Unknown; 4 = Likely; 5 = Probable
Probability of Future Cult Issues – CHOs
Question 1 2 3 4 5

10. Survey Results
* 1 = Impossible; 2 = Unlikely; 3 = Unknown; 4 = Likely; 5 = Probable
11 There are currently students on my
campus involved in cults?
0.0 4.7 20.9 30.2 44.2
12 There have never been students on
my campus involved in cults?
41.9 51.2 7.0 0.0 0.0
13 There is currently a staff or faculty
member on my campus who is
involved in a cult?
0.0 9.3 55.8 18.6 16.3
14 There has never been a staff or faculty
member on my campus who has been
involved in a cult?
23.3 41.9 30.2 2.3 2.3
Student or Staff Involvement in Cult Activity – Chaplains
Question 1 2 3 4 5

11. 15 What is the likelihood of a student from
your campus being involved in a cult in
the next five years?
0.0 11.6 7.0 32.6 48.8
16 What is the likelihood of a staff or
faculty member from your campus
being involved in a cult in the next five
years?
2.3 11.6 27.9 39.5 18.6
Survey Results
* 1 = Impossible; 2 = Unlikely; 3 = Unknown; 4 = Likely; 5 = Probable
Probability of Future Cult Issues – Chaplains
Question 1 2 3 4 5

12. Training Agenda
 Maryland Task Force
 University Policy
 Interfaith Organizations
 Awareness
 Deprogramming
 What would you add?

13. Resources
 Bibliography
 Web Sites

14. Questions?