The Gatepost Editorial: Boston Alpha Omega does not belong at Framingham State

By The Gatepost Editorial Board For many students at FSU, religion is an important part of their identity. Organizations such as the Muslim Students Association, Menorah Club, Christian Fellowship, Growing in Faith, and New Creations are excellent student-run groups on campus where students can practice their religion with their peers at Framingham State University. These student groups have been approved by the Framingham State administration and are affiliated with the University. However, some students have been approached by members of a group not listed on EXP’s roster of student-run organizations: Boston Alpha Omega (Boston AO), also known as the Boston Church of Christ. Boston AO represents itself as a Christian religious organization offering Bible studies and religious retreats. Boston AO, which recruits university-age students as “disciples” and “Bible study leaders,” has a presence at a number of public and private universities in Massachusetts. The organization has also been banned from a number of private universities, including Northeastern University, for violations of their university policies. The Northeastern Center for Spirituality, Dialog, and Service’s website states, “Unfortunately, outside groups often violate Northeastern’s policies on ‘Purpose of Campus Religious Activity’ and ‘Behavior of Religious Groups,’ as well university policies around solicitation and harassment. These groups’ recruiters operate without university appointment letters or contracts, and have not been trained in Title IX reporting or other university policies.” As Framingham State is a public university, our campus is more susceptible to non-affiliated groups attempting to recruit our students. State Street is the property of the city of Framingham, so non-affiliated groups are allowed to interact with students on public roads and sidewalks. However, Boston AO recruiters have been approaching students off State Street in the McCarthy Center, Sandella’s, and Larned Beach - which is in violation of the RAMS Student Handbook solicitation policy. “No student, student organization, employee, outside agency, or outside person shall solicit sales or offer anything for sale or free-of-charge to any employee or student on the campus of Framingham State University, unless approved in advance by an authorized member of the University’s administration,” the RAMS Student Handbook states. Non-student members of Boston AO are allowed to gather on campus in places such as Sandella’s and the Rams Den Grille for non-recruitment purposes, if invited by a current FSU student. And although their Bible studies, which regularly take place in these locations, seem innocuous, Boston AO has a reputation for employing predatory recruitment practices. Simmons University’s student-run newspaper, The Simmons Voice, published a three-part investigative series on Boston AO in 2021. They described the organization’s predatory recruitment tactics. “Recruitment often begins as an innocuous interaction. A friendly, enthusiastic face approaching you in the library, dining hall, or while walking to classes. Within minutes, the random kindness of a stranger and fellow student results in an invitation to study the Bible. A vague offer for what former members and experts alike say is a codified process.” These recruitment tactics have been taking place on our campus as recruiters often pose as Framingham State students, wearing FSU merchandise and using campus venues such as the library and the McCarthy Dining Commons. They have also approached first-year students during orientation - when new students are introduced to many University organizations and offices and would have a harder time distinguishing this group from official campus groups. Non-student members of Boston AO’s Framingham chapter also attended the Student Organization Fair Sept. 19 without prior approval from EXP - even setting up a table to recruit students. The Gatepost Editorial Board asks our administrator to look into this event to prevent anything similar from happening again. The Instagram page for the Framingham chapter of Boston AO has several posts from locations on campus, adding to the facade that they are affiliated with our campus. The Boston Church of Christ website also claims that Boston AO is a campus ministry, with a location marker placed on State Street in front of O’Connor Hall. This is highly misleading and seems to suggest Boston AO is affiliated with our campus - which it is not. This organization, though seeming to simply provide a space for college-age individuals to congregate and practice their religion together, can be defined as a cult. The Simmons Voice states, “Former members of the Church and experts on destructive faith groups claim that nearly all of the potential members’ free time is spent with those associated with the Church. The time commitment sometimes removes them from prior friendships, extracurriculars, academics, and even their families.” Watchman.org, a website that outlines religious cults and their practices, stated that former members and critics of the Boston AO allege the organization uses practices such as “mind control” and “shepherding.” The article stated that the organization teaches “baptismal regeneration, and claims to be the only true church.” The statement reads that the organization “Aggressively recruits on college and university campuses throughout America and internationally.” Boston AO attempts to isolate those they approach from their current support groups in order to baptize them under the Boston Church of Christ, indoctrinating those individuals as “disciples.” As a student at an accredited university, you are encouraged and expected to make your own judgments and decisions. Nevertheless, The Gatepost Editorial Board asks you to be careful when engaging with Boston AO and other high-pressure religious organizations you may encounter - both on campus and beyond it. What seems completely normal one day may quickly get away from you, and high-pressure organizations make it difficult to leave once you’re involved by threatening any newly made friendships or invalidating feelings of caution. Warning signs of a high-pressure organization include constant communication or pressure to interact with them, demands for significant amounts of your time or money, the discouragement of individuality, or stated/implied threats of consequences for leaving. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a religious organization on campus, please research the organization, approach Framingham State administrators about the organization, and especially reach out to Campus Ministries with your concerns. Though students need to remain vigilant, The Gatepost Editorial Board also urges our administrators to look into this issue in order to protect our entire campus community from Boston AO and organizations similar to it. While we all look out for our own protection, we should also protect those around us. This protection should start with our administration in the form of information on these groups being given to all students, clear distinctions of what religious groups are affiliated with our campus and/or Campus Ministries, and resources for students to seek out if they feel targeted by this type of organization. Students on campus are free to practice their religion openly and connect with others of their faith. The Gatepost Editorial Board is, of course, not in any way implying that these practices should cease. We do, however, believe that the recruitment of Framingham State students by Boston AO and their presence on campus should cease. Students should feel safe where they live and work. Safe to practice their religion. Safe from predators. The recruitment of students by high-pressure religious groups should not be happening on our campus and we should learn from other universities about how they keep their students safe. If you or someone you know has been recruited into this organization or one like it, please reach out to the Dean of Students, Campus Ministry, or the Counseling Center. Students have to come together and advocate for each other. If you see any concerning recruitment or behavior occurring on campus, speak up!