Athena
May 7th, 2008, 05:10 PM
Cult: a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.
We, in America, have a blessed Constitution - one which provides us myriad freedoms not typically enjoyed anywhere else, or to such an extend. It outlines rights that our founding fathers, rightfully so, considered to be absolute. Still, our government has an interest in protecting its citizens and, as a result, imposes reasonable limits on the rights. We have the right to bear arms, but are limited in the type of arms we can bear and circumstances under which we bear them. We have the freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, but can be pulled over at sobriety checkpoints in the absence of justifiable suspicion. Likewise, we enjoy a freedom of religion, one that I propose a reasonable limitation to.
Cults have proven to be environments especially conducive to abuse and manipulation. Suicide, murder and sexual abuse are events that have become practically synonymous with the operations of a standard, American cult. Because we are so protective of our freedom of religion, the atrocities committed by such organizations fly under our radar for extended periods of time. We turn a blind eye until we're forced to do otherwise, afraid that any scrutiny may be perceived as prejudice against minority religions that already deal with judgment from larger, more established sects.
Some other Western governments disagree, however. Both Germany and France have laws restricting cult-like establishments. As one might expect, the U.S. government suggests that these laws have contributed to the prejudice against religious minorities that appears to exist in France. I assert that, in the absence of anti-cult legislation, American cults are contributing to this prejudice themselves.
This is not an argument that begun, nor will it end, with the FLDS in Texas. The stand-off that resulted in the fiery deaths of nearly 100 Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas in 1993 is easily recalled. Just yesterday, the head of an apocalyptic cult was arrested and charged with felony sex crimes (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080507/ap_on_re_us/church_children_seized;_ylt=AoyP.8ksiB0nTrjzu_uojQ xvzwcF). From Jim Jones to Charles Manson to Joseph Smith, there are countless cults that have centered around and, perhaps, were created for the expressed purpose of enticing sexual service from followers.
How long will we provide such a favorable environment to these fundamentally corrupt organizations? I am not proposing a ban. In Seattle, groups of people exceeding 6 members who are walking the streets can be regarded as "gangs" and be treated with extra scrutiny by police. There is no evidence to suggest that police are abusing this policy. This is all I am asking for - legislation that will provide for extra scrutiny to be paid to groups clearly defined as cults.
We, in America, have a blessed Constitution - one which provides us myriad freedoms not typically enjoyed anywhere else, or to such an extend. It outlines rights that our founding fathers, rightfully so, considered to be absolute. Still, our government has an interest in protecting its citizens and, as a result, imposes reasonable limits on the rights. We have the right to bear arms, but are limited in the type of arms we can bear and circumstances under which we bear them. We have the freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, but can be pulled over at sobriety checkpoints in the absence of justifiable suspicion. Likewise, we enjoy a freedom of religion, one that I propose a reasonable limitation to.
Cults have proven to be environments especially conducive to abuse and manipulation. Suicide, murder and sexual abuse are events that have become practically synonymous with the operations of a standard, American cult. Because we are so protective of our freedom of religion, the atrocities committed by such organizations fly under our radar for extended periods of time. We turn a blind eye until we're forced to do otherwise, afraid that any scrutiny may be perceived as prejudice against minority religions that already deal with judgment from larger, more established sects.
Some other Western governments disagree, however. Both Germany and France have laws restricting cult-like establishments. As one might expect, the U.S. government suggests that these laws have contributed to the prejudice against religious minorities that appears to exist in France. I assert that, in the absence of anti-cult legislation, American cults are contributing to this prejudice themselves.
This is not an argument that begun, nor will it end, with the FLDS in Texas. The stand-off that resulted in the fiery deaths of nearly 100 Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas in 1993 is easily recalled. Just yesterday, the head of an apocalyptic cult was arrested and charged with felony sex crimes (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080507/ap_on_re_us/church_children_seized;_ylt=AoyP.8ksiB0nTrjzu_uojQ xvzwcF). From Jim Jones to Charles Manson to Joseph Smith, there are countless cults that have centered around and, perhaps, were created for the expressed purpose of enticing sexual service from followers.
How long will we provide such a favorable environment to these fundamentally corrupt organizations? I am not proposing a ban. In Seattle, groups of people exceeding 6 members who are walking the streets can be regarded as "gangs" and be treated with extra scrutiny by police. There is no evidence to suggest that police are abusing this policy. This is all I am asking for - legislation that will provide for extra scrutiny to be paid to groups clearly defined as cults.