Letters
Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: Opinion
CULT ARTICLE UNFAIRLY TARGETS LOS ANGELES
CHURCH OF CHRIST
In reporting on a Parents Weekend program at which the topic of cults was discussed, the Daily Trojan repeats outdated and misleading information about the Los Angeles Church of Christ ("Professor warns that cults may target students," Oct. 12).
Since 2001, the Los Angeles Church of Christ has been a recognized student religious organization at USC and has conducted itself entirely within the bounds of USC's Ethical Framework for Religious Life.
John and Arlene Markowski have served since 2003 as Religious Directors (professional religious leaders assigned to USC), and have shown responsible, sensitive and caring leadership in their work with students. Furthermore, they have been exemplary colleagues in the broader context of religious life on campus.
There were indeed complaints about the activities of the Los Angeles Church of Christ on campus prior to 2001.
After consulting with the Religious Life Advisory Committee, Susan Laemmle, the dean of Religious Life, Susan Laemmle, decided at that time that it would serve the interests of students for the group to become a recognized student organization.
The religious directors involved in the Religious Directors Association would assure the group would be bound by the conduct norms within which all religious groups are required to operate on campus.
There have been no complaints about this group since that time.
The article unfairly and incorrectly identified the Los Angeles Church of Christ as a problem group when in fact they have been a very positive influence in the lives of USC students in recent years.
A fact-checking call to the Office of Religious Life would have alerted your reporter to the fact that her story was incorrect and would also have avoided the distress that has been caused to the leaders and members of this particular Christian group in consequence of the article.
Moreover, the article quotes the presenter of the program as stating that students might be invited to an event and not know who's sponsoring it.
Such an approach would expressly violate the Ethical Framework for Religious Life at USC, a document which every religious group operating on campus signs every year, making the promise to abide by it.
If it comes to the notice of the Office of Religious Life that a group has violated the terms of the Ethical Framework, prompt action is taken to rectify the situation, and if any students feel that a religious group is making unreasonable demands on them, the deans of Religious Life strongly encourage them to come and talk about it.
Rabbi Susan Laemmle
Dean of Religious Life
Revd. Elizabeth Davenport
Senior Associate Dean of Religious Life
CHURCH OF CHRIST
In reporting on a Parents Weekend program at which the topic of cults was discussed, the Daily Trojan repeats outdated and misleading information about the Los Angeles Church of Christ ("Professor warns that cults may target students," Oct. 12).
Since 2001, the Los Angeles Church of Christ has been a recognized student religious organization at USC and has conducted itself entirely within the bounds of USC's Ethical Framework for Religious Life.
John and Arlene Markowski have served since 2003 as Religious Directors (professional religious leaders assigned to USC), and have shown responsible, sensitive and caring leadership in their work with students. Furthermore, they have been exemplary colleagues in the broader context of religious life on campus.
There were indeed complaints about the activities of the Los Angeles Church of Christ on campus prior to 2001.
After consulting with the Religious Life Advisory Committee, Susan Laemmle, the dean of Religious Life, Susan Laemmle, decided at that time that it would serve the interests of students for the group to become a recognized student organization.
The religious directors involved in the Religious Directors Association would assure the group would be bound by the conduct norms within which all religious groups are required to operate on campus.
There have been no complaints about this group since that time.
The article unfairly and incorrectly identified the Los Angeles Church of Christ as a problem group when in fact they have been a very positive influence in the lives of USC students in recent years.
A fact-checking call to the Office of Religious Life would have alerted your reporter to the fact that her story was incorrect and would also have avoided the distress that has been caused to the leaders and members of this particular Christian group in consequence of the article.
Moreover, the article quotes the presenter of the program as stating that students might be invited to an event and not know who's sponsoring it.
Such an approach would expressly violate the Ethical Framework for Religious Life at USC, a document which every religious group operating on campus signs every year, making the promise to abide by it.
If it comes to the notice of the Office of Religious Life that a group has violated the terms of the Ethical Framework, prompt action is taken to rectify the situation, and if any students feel that a religious group is making unreasonable demands on them, the deans of Religious Life strongly encourage them to come and talk about it.
Rabbi Susan Laemmle
Dean of Religious Life
Revd. Elizabeth Davenport
Senior Associate Dean of Religious Life
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
MeganSinger
MeganSinger
posted 10/23/07 @ 6:55 PM PST
Rabbi Laemmle & Reverend Davenport,
Remember me? I'm the one you sat with behind closed doors 3 years ago and confirmed that there are indeed cults on campus, but their presence is needed to provide a neutral selection of faith groups. (Continued…)
sandra
posted 1/17/08 @ 11:48 AM PST
I'm a grandmother to a young collage student. I noticed a big change in him teo years ago when he started collage. We are of the christen faith. (Continued…)
Vanessa
posted 7/30/08 @ 7:55 AM PST
Actually, the Los Angeles Church of Christ is a cult. I know because I was a part of it for several months during my freshman year. I feel fortunate that both my brother (who is a Church of Christ minister) and I recognized it early, and I broke ties quickly before I got too involved. (Continued…)
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