Newspapers / Bennett College Student Newspaper / April 18, 1997, edition 1 / Page 2
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2 • BENNETT BANNER - APRIL 18, 1997 • OPINION • OPINION • OPINION • OPINION • OPINION • Paquita Herring Best protection against cults is to be careful The mass suicide involving “Heaven’s Gate” 39 cult members in California seems to have taken everyone by suprise, and I can not figure out why. Think back. Some time ago a large group of lack and white men, women and children committed suicide by drinking soft drinks laced with poison. Four years ago, the broadcast media showed the fiery destruction of a compound located in Waco, Texas where another group of "religious zealots" had been living. The truth is cults have been in existence for years and they are everywhere. People who give up everything and join cults are easily led id gullible. That explains why one person can persuade another to make him or her abondon God, society and family and join an organization that has a belief in aliens and an outside world. Maybe it is time for us to rethink and reevaluate ourselves. We should take time to examine ourselves and determine what influences us. We may discover that some ideas may sound good at the time, but may have a negative impact on our lives later. If we don't take that look then maybe we are just as weak-minded as those 39 people who committed suicide in California. The American Heritage Dictionary defines a cult as... "a religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or bogus: followers of such a religion or sect..." The government can not eliminate cults because the Constitution protects everyone's freedom of religion. Therefore, we must protect ourselves against a cult -- which could be within walking distance of our school. The opinion expressed in this column is that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Bennett Banner staff. Student Opinion Poll: THE BElWfETT BAIVNER The Newspaper produced by the Phenomenal Women of Bennett College Paquita Herring EDITOR Aleshia Barrett BRIEFINGS & KUDOS Luree Benjamin CIRCULATION Camisha Gentry PHOTOGRAPHER Shamilah Harris GENERAL ASSIGNMENT Brandy Jones GENERAL ASSIGNMENT Annisteen Pack-Lovelace—GENERAL ASSIGNMENT Kenya Samuels BOOK REVIEWS A'Shauna Tyler HERSTORY LaKeisha Walker GENERAL ASSIGNMENT Dr. Lona D. Cobb FACULTY ADVISOR Some photographs published in the Banner are courtesy of Gene Keenum in the Admissions Office and the Public Affairs and Marketing Office. The Bennett Banner is a laboratory newspaper published twice a month during the acadennic year, except during months with College recognized holidays or College vacations. The newspaper is pro duced by and for students at Bennett College. The newspaper office is located in Shell Hall C-2. What is your opinion about religious cults? The recent mass sucide in California and the anniversary of the Waco incident four years ago has brought a lot of attention to the topic of cults. h ik. DAYDRA WILKS CLASS: SOPHOMORE MAJOR: ELEM. ED. HOME STATE: MISSOURI People who join religious cults are just looking for something to belong to. Cult leaders look for individuals searching for love and companionship. It is all just crazy. V ^ / ALINE FERTIL CLASS: SENIOR MAJOR: INTERDISCIPLINARY HOME STATE: FLORIDA I am in no position to question or judge people and their religious beliefs. Whatever reasons an individual has decided to join a cult is based on their own morals, standards and their own set of rules. SHELONDA SMITH CLASS: JUNIOR MAJOR: BIOLOGY HOME STATE: WASH. D.C. Not all religious cults promote suicide and euthanasia, some promote religious beliefs of Christianity, sisterhood and brotherhood. We are in no position to judge a man for his religious beliefs. MARNELL HUGHES CLASS: JUNIOR MAJOR: MASS COMM. HOME STATE: WASH.D.C. Religious cults are of Satan. I bind them up in the name of Jesus and send them back to the pits of hell where they belong. NAZRA PETERSON CLASS: FRESHWOMAN MAJOR: PSYCHOLOGY HOME STATE: S. CAROLINA Religious cults are pointless because I do not need to be in a group to know that there is a higher being and to know that / am devoted to the Lord. CADENCE M. TAYLOR CLASS: JUNIOR MAJOR: ENGLISH HOME STATE: OHIO Just like people fault Christians for believing in the Holy Trinity and call us crazy - religious cults are just as crazy. These people are just sick.
Bennett College Student Newspaper
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April 18, 1997, edition 1
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