21st April 2008, 12:57 PM
Sacred Jellybean Wrote:I don't know what type of oppression is going on, aside from forcing girls to marry men. Certain religious practices should be made illegal, I think, to stop the spread of cults (Scientology comes to mind), but as long as no one's getting hurt, people should believe whatever they choose.
It depends on how people are being oppressed, but I'm sure whatever example you give, I'll agree that it should be illegal.
This stuff is indeed creepy, but how much of it should be illegal? Girls being forced/coerced into marrying older men, that's definitely wrong. Cult insiders having no contact with the outside world is creepy, but shouldn't be illegal. People born inside the cult should be given the option to stay or leave (actually, the option to stay or leave at any time should be granted to all members).
People who enter a relationship with others define for themselves what they believe to be fair, what the relationship consists of, etc. They should be able to practice that without interference from the law. A vast majority of people agree that a relationship should be between only two people, with the responsibilities/roles of each person evenly divided, and will continue to do so. If a woman doesn't mind having the attention from her husband divided between other wives, who are we to say she can't? The same can apply on the inverse, a woman could have multiple husbands if the husbands are okay with it. If they don't like it, they can find someone else.
If I heard more of the crimes this cult has committed, I'd probably agree that they should be shut down, but they shouldn't be shut down for polygamy alone (not that polygamy alone was ever the reason, it's obviously more to do with consent/minors/abuse/etc).
How to identify a cult.
France really went hard cracking down on cults after the solar Templar knights ( not related to free masonry group) committed mass suicide after their founder had passed on;The canadian branch also killed themselves alongside the ones overseas. France has more or less criminalize any sect that inst part of the mainstream.
1.Things that define a cult;Members have restricted association with those outside of the cult.To me this is the biggest sign of a cult restricted fellowship.
7.Most cults have a "guru" figure who is often viewed as sole Intercessor for "god" or whatever divine authority, Generally they are treated like they are infallible.
2.Independent thinking is forbidden, You are obligated to believe every doctrine and tenet without question; If you spread your doubts and unorthodox views you will be regarded as a apostate, Possibly banished.Second sign of a cult.
6.Members are are obligated to give a portion of their earnings to the organization. (not necessarily a cult practice , but to me a legitimate religion would make it a voluntary decision to donate and not a mandatory one) as is the case with $cientology.
3.Shunning of former members; Even worse possible persecution and violence towards those who have denounced the cult and left. As is the case with $cientology and the FLDS, Orthodox Islam under sharia law consider leaving to another faith equal to treason and punishable by death.Third sign of a cult.
4.Exclusivist beliefs; Only members of the cult gain salvation and to leave the cult is to be damned.
5.Extreme Isolation , The cults separates itself from the rest of society and limits interaction with the outside world as is the case with the FLDS and Jim Jones.
8.Dangerous activities that could threaten the life of the worshipers, Refusal of medical care,dangerous rituals, Violation of rights and liberties.