I think one of the key differences is how cults isolate themselves from the rest of society. Legit religions dont do that.
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"Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies.
-C.S. Lewis
First, if you haven't heard of this group ("The Lord Our Righteousness Church"), their website is here [link] A recent documentary was (re) aired and can be viewed here [link] (that's part one of five)
The man leading this group claims to be the Christ and/or Michael (arch angel?). Either way, he claims with certainty that he is divinity and humanity combined, sent by God to deliver 'His' people at the end times (now).
What I've found most notable about these folks, is there LACK of disconnect from the outside world - quite the contrary. Now, 'cults 101' tells me this is one of the prerequisites for forming a good cult...cut off your flock from outside influence and information.
This group is quite tech savvy, have there own site, make elaborate videos, and regularly communicate via their site, blogs, and even youtube accounts. Does this make them any less a 'traditional' cult? Could it make them less dangerous (less prone to end up a lot of dead bodies) since they have this daily communication with outsiders? Or is it perhaps an ingenious recruitment tool?
Secondly, it would appear that all of the minors were finally removed as of a couple of weeks ago. With earlier allegations of a possible mass suicide, and the more recent allegations of child sexual abuse, few would argue this was a bad move (though if you do, please argue away!).
But, at what point does it become acceptable for the state to move in and stop the ADULTS from their practices if it does in fact appear to be moving toward a mass suicide? Is there ever a point when the state and its' laws trump religious freedom (suicide being against the law)?
I've found this a fascinating, if frightening case, and am currently in communications with one of the members. It's been a truly odd inside look. Curious to hear your views on the goings on there, their modern tech-cult approach and where the boundaries of the state's power might lie?
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"Not anywhere as elegant as a walrus." - alternatis "Please do not reply, I am sick of these pathetic responses after I have showed you again and again." - GlassArrowz [link] - DA Religious Forum
Well, of course they're a cult. It says that "no man shall no" when the apocalypse will strike. They go against the book they profess to uphold.
-- I'm a walking nightmare; An arsenal off doom. I kill conversation As I walk into a room. I'm a three-lined whip; I'm the sort of thing they ban. I'm a walking disaster; I'm the Demolition Man.
1:30 the child says "I took off all my clothes and laid naked on his bed and he just held me, and it was like a whole new picture of God"
Now I didn't even need to watch the video to know this sort of shit was going on.
This is pretty much how any religion works. Someone declares they have supernatural powers and are recieveing prophecy from the supreme creator of the universe, and hordes of gullible people believe it. It's no different from Islam or Christianity. It's just on a smaller scale.
-- "Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you." ~The teachings of Jesus, Matthew 5:42
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All religions are cults in one way or another. Hey if the adults wish the rid the world of themselves then so be. I'm sure we'll be better off anyways. When the bring children into it though thats a whole other ballpark. Brainwashing a child about any religion is wrong to me but hey I'm an agnostic to begin with. Teaching a child about all religions is fine but confining them with only one, how everyone else is wrong, ect ect is just sick.
This is pretty much how any religion works. Someone declares they have supernatural powers and are recieveing prophecy from the supreme creator of the universe, and hordes of gullible people believe it. It's no different from Islam or Christianity. It's just on a smaller scale.
The difference is, religion on a bigger scale has less power over its subjects. I can be a catholic and get an abortion. Its against the rules, and I shouldn't, but what power does the church have? They really aren't brainwashing here.
But still, hordes will believe anything.
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On the question of what kind of game would you create: "I'd make an FPS that takes place in Hell where in every level, each boss fight would be you against an evil historical figure." ~~Doodle-Boy1
Should I also tell my children that killing people is ok too? Some people think that.
The fact is, the parent has every right to do it, and there is nothing wrong with it if it remains in the boundaries of the law.
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On the question of what kind of game would you create: "I'd make an FPS that takes place in Hell where in every level, each boss fight would be you against an evil historical figure." ~~Doodle-Boy1
It's a cult. Of course this kind of thing should be banned. This is one human being (despite what or who he thinks he is, he is very human) who is manipulating people into the inevitable: mass suicide. I am curious though...in the video it said that their predicted "end of the world" date was October 31, 2007 (interesting they'd use a major Pagan holiday-Festival of the Dead to conceive the end of the world). Well, that date has obviously come and gone, yet I don't recall hearing of any mass suicide amongst this cult. Hmm....sounds like a bunch of bullshit.
Yeah the difference is the bigger religions are more dilute. They all still have the same basic premise though - Person claims to be speaking for the creator of the universe, and you have to do exactly as this person says or the creator of the universe wont be happy.
You can bet if plain old vanilla brand Christianity were compressed down to the scale of this cult, it would be just as noticeably wacky.
-- "Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you." ~The teachings of Jesus, Matthew 5:42
Please donate to my paypal account geoff_at_work333@hotmail.com
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I think one of the key differences is how cults isolate themselves from the rest of society. Legit religions dont do that.
--
"Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies.
-C.S. Lewis