–Romans 1:22-23

In this country and with rare exception, no adult is “controlled” except through their own consent and in furtherance of some perceived self-interest.

Sometimes I despair at the state of humanity and what we succumb to in the name of power over.

There was an interesting interview with a man who had collected adults’ experiences as child campers. Most of the adults reported hazing that really did rise to the level of torture. Many secret societies, as mnoble pointed out, also use bizarre, horrific means of “working over” their membership. Disturbingly, people readily go along with such mal-treatment, both as givers and receivers. What happened here isn’t some isolated event in our society.

It seems whether it be politics, religion, entertainment, law, etc. people only too readily follow what, if honestly examined, are ways of doing things that 1. make no sense and 2. are destructive to self and others. Another thing confusing this case is that the cult member is male. We seem to think cult members should be female and male and the leaders, male. That is like believeing domestic cruelty does not occurr except as male on female violence. Not true. This thinking keeps victims from seeking help because it’s not supposed to happen to them.

In a case like this I honestly don’t know where to draw a line. The bright line for me is protection of the children at all costs and by whatever means necessary. But torture and mind control techniques really do work to break down people’s judgement and ability to act with kindness. This can’t excuse everything a person does, but it needs to be considered, maybe as Mike said, in sentencing.

I believe anyone can join a cult and many have, of one kind or another. It’s important to keep open to one’s own vunerabilities so that one doesn’t drink that delicious cool-aid or give it to others.

“Spaulding, you’ll get nothing and like it!”

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There’s a healthy, sane and reasonable form of faith and worship, and then there is the other kind.

The self-righteous scare the hell out of me!

No pun intended.

This story highlights though, how religion can be perverted into something ugly and contrary to its tenets, by the egotism of some religious leaders. It is mostly prevalent in the fundamentalist sects of the various religions, since from the beginning a congregant is taught not to question beliefs. From that start, those beliefs can then be perverted by charismatic leaders. However,
we also see that some relatively new faiths, or cons depending on ones viewpoint, can control the minds of tortured seekers of solace searching for it in all the wrong places.

I don’t think the law can make exceptions for the ignorance, gullibility, or shallowness of some people. With the exception of course of the developmentally challenged. I would think though that those factors should be taken into account in mitigating the punishment sometimes.