The Los Angeles Loyolan, Volume 78, Issue 17 - February 2, 2000

11" I Campus News А&Б s? 1 1 А'Й 1 Ц s Jy ■ jg* Щ Undergrad travels nation¬ ally, presents educational research findings. PAGE 5 Student production, “The History of the Devil” and student recital. PAGE 1 0 * f S P О RTS Number nine-ranked Men’s Volleyball beats up on UC Irvine. PAGE 20 шт L.o:y£qla M a ft y m ou n t University Volume 78, No. 1? Presence of United Church of Christ Cult ■ SAFETY: Group under investigation following the disappearance of sever¬ al students at other universities. by Michael Ambrozewicz News Editor Last week, the departments of campus min¬ istry and public safety posted flyers around the Lair .Patio warning students of the presence of a religious cult and informing them of its dan¬ gerous and intense recruiting methods. The cult, known as the “Universal Church of Christ,” has recruited LMU students in the past. Some students who were a part of the cult tried to leave with the help of campus minis¬ ters, in particular, Sr. Cecilia Magladry, CiS.J. “IPs difficult to explain, but it gets a hold, and it gets a hold on you very fast,” said Magladry. “You get caught.” The Universal Church of Christ was once part of a legitimate Christian denomination, the United Church- of* Christ, but was asked to- leave when its practices of recruitment lost sanction by the parent church. Fernando Moreno, director of campus min¬ istry, said that the same cult has been reported Array of Events Mark Black History Month ■ Culture: Festivities planned on and off cam¬ pus in honor of African- American contributions to U.S. culture. by Nadia Gonzalez S taff Writer Midday sunlight illuminat¬ ed Alumni Mall and members of the LMU community gath¬ ered around the throbbings of an African drumbeat on Tuesday, Feb. 1 as celebrations marked the start of Black History Month. With the rhythm of drums shaking in the background, Dr. Cheryl Grills, associate profes¬ sor of psychology, offered words of inspiration, “Stretch forth your wings — armed with the knowledge of who you are, the courage to stand with conviction, the willingness to roll up your sleeves and do what needs to be done — and fly.” More than 70 years after its conception, Black History Month has remained a time to celebrate the triumphs of a people whose gifts to American culture were overlooked for too long. For the LMU communi¬ ty, the spirit of Black History Month will shed light on African-American accomplish¬ ments through a series of activities and performances. Jade T. Smith, director of the office of black student ser¬ vices, said, “[This is] more than just a commemoration. We want the greater LMU community not only to remem¬ ber important African- Americans in history, but also to take part in the richness of black culture.” Celebrating Black History Month on the LMU campus is a tradition of 20 years. Nationally recognized, Black History Month originated as a week-long event in the early 1900s and was fueled by the cultural explosion of the Harlem Renaissance. In 1925, history professor Carter G. Woodson pioneered a movement dedicated to gain¬ ing national recognition for African-American contribu¬ tions to fields such as science, literature, music and the arts. Woodson counted on the finan¬ cial support of what was then the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, which today has become the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History? Woodson’s efforts resulted in published books, photos, and bibliographies designed to raise awareness of the role of black culture in shaping thu nation. From its earliest stages, the purpose of the celebration was not only for African- Americans, but for people of all races to experience the richness of black culture. During the 1940s, the celebra¬ tion inc^ased in popularity, and in 1976, Black History at LMU over the past six to seven years. In the past three years, the cult has been more aggres¬ sive in its recruitment of students. This year, campus ministers were notified of the group’s presence by students who were approached by the group. The instance which brought about the latest warnings occurred when two LMU students were playing a game of basketball, and two members from the cult in question approached them. “It’s the method, not the message. That’s the problem,” said Moreno. The group uses what Moreno characterized as “devious and sin¬ ister” tactics to recruit and retain members. Potential members are invited to a prayer group or bible study session, where they are greeted by members of the cult who are com¬ passionate towards the new recruits and very happy to see them. New members are taught to leave their parents, friends, and church behind through scripture studies which the cult also uses to brainwash members into giving up school and compiling a list of sins, Which is later used as blackmail. . - “They’ve gone after students who have some sort of prominence on campus and others who are just looking for some community [to be a Cult: page 4 Month was born. An the a Butler, assistant professor of theological stud¬ ies, said, “It is important to remember the cost and strug¬ gles of what African- Americans have gone through in order to be regarded as equal citizens of this country. “ LMU’s own opening festivi¬ ties included “Libation,” a ritu¬ al of thanksgiving during which water was poured into a plant as the spectators called out the names of ancestors who had paved the way for generations of the future. Celebrations: page 2 ELIZABETH HUGHES / LOYOLAN Dr . Cheryl Grills spoke at the opening ceremonies of Black History Month at the end of Alumni Mall on Tuesday, Feb. 1. This year's celebration is the most activity-filled in the school's history.