11
votes
Is University Of The Third Age safe?
An elderly family member has become involved with this organization and it sounds cultish and dangerous at first listening. Anyone aware of them or can offer any insight? I don't much trust their official sources.
Family member has to pay fees to be a part of this thing, I'm concerned that they may becoming part of something unsavory.
Nothing would please me more if I'm being overly paranoid about this, but the way they describe it sounds suspect as all heck.
Edit: This is UK related
The name has real cult vibes, but here in the UK it's basically just a series of social clubs for retirees, as I understand it. So as safe as the local members. My dad does sailing and backgammon through it, my mum is learning French, they're both learning to play bridge with differing levels of success.
The wikipedia page suggests that the name is used in a number of countries for slightly different setups, but none of them sound nefarious.
Ah thanks. I didn't know what to make of it or what online sources I should trust. We're also in the UK so this is putting my mind at rest.
I also did a search with a couple of terms like 'cult' and didn't find anyone online saying anything like that about the group. Not on Reddit or Quora or anything. That's a pretty good sign to me.
I suspect like any social group whether the dues are worth whatever entertainment or education the group provides is more of a judgement call. Also an individual leader or chapter could become grifty but that's sort of a risk of any group