Try visiting different churches, even ones you would never think to attend. Enter each one with an open mind. Sometimes we carry predjudices from one church to another, thinking they will be the same. I am familiar with most churches in the area. Some I don't like that much. They are either too centered on non-church related stuff (politics) or they are run by despots. Some are too wishy
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

One of the signs of any cult is the desire to show you the error of YOUR ways. It's a controlling behavior that you also see in a abusive relationships. I had a boss once who did that. He would sit on his perch waiting for a screw-up and then launch into a tirade trying to break the person's spirit. Most people were scared of him and he only promoted those who weren't afraid of him
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Oddly, it you go to Anti-Christian Hate sites, you will see they use the term "Xian" constantly. Irony is certainly ironic sometimes.
Forum: Hate Groups

I think he is on to us.
Forum: Terrorist and Extremist Groups

You may want to try other churches. I find there is a wide scope of beliefs, even in our little town. It varies from snake handlers (I know one) to Unitarian.
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

What were the bad behaviors?
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

You just get here, you complain and leave. Trust me. The LAST thing an Amway person wants to hear is the truth. The truth of their empty wallet and their smiling upline.
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

But if the Catholic or any church wanted to march down the avenue or in a public park and hold "their" ceremonies in a similiar public place, was the point, would they be allowed to do so? They should be allowed to do so because a Mass is not considered offensive by societal norms. Burning a cross is considered offensive by societal norms and is also considered intimidating. It
Forum: Hate Groups

Now if the Catholic Church wants to have a mass in a public place, will it be allowed? I think not. It should be. Although I disagree with the Catholic Mass, I certainly should not have the power to stop it.
Forum: Hate Groups

QuoteSome, not all, religious people are tremendously intolerant of people with differing beliefs. Yes but that's true of every group. It's not an indictment of the religion itself, but the people who claim it. The exception would be religions who make intolerance of others a core belief of the religion. Some small Christian denominations, Muslims sects and Jewish sects believe th
Forum: Destructive Churches

QuoteReligion is often a jump off point for hate groups and hatred of people outside the group. Opposite. Religion is often a tool for groups to pursue their own agenda. A Christian "Hate" group is like a Jewish Anti-Semite Society. It is an illogical use of a faith for personal reasons. Jesus didn't whip out an Uzi on the cross and start blasting. Jesus didn't burn down a
Forum: Destructive Churches

All of this has left me jaundiced towards religion I used to feel the same way about blacks for the same reason but you eventually get beyond it.
Forum: Destructive Churches

My sister does the candles and it seems legit.
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

And once those breakthroughs are made, a lot of religious doctrine will either go out the window or be altered Possibly although science has a habit of changing over time. The whole global cooling vs global warming debate is a perfect indication of that. And remember, you can't prove a negative. You can only prop it up. When science states a fact, there will always be someone using s
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

If I purely believed in the scientific, I would have no reason to believe that Jesus existed at all. As an atheist, I certainly didn't.
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

I can't take seriously the idea that we are descended from fish. That doesn't mean it isn't true. It is either true or false regardless of what I believe. If Jesus is God, walking on water isn't that difficult considering He made Heaven and Earth.
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

I have to disagree on Brainwashing being used by every religion. Most mainstream Protestant denominations tend to offer a more skeptical view on "religion". In many cases, "religion" is the enemy because it implies something standing between man and God. There can be constant struggle between collectivism and individualism but, for the most part, individualism wins. I have
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

Jessica Hahn toppled Jim Bakker after he raped her.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

How did we get this far off-topic? :)
Forum: Hate Groups

The Jews ran into problems because they would not adopt the religion of the area they inhabited. By and large, many of these "religions" were control methods. The Priest would decide on a course of "worship" and make everyone adhere to that course. A good example would be temple prostitutes. The people who contributed the most to the city would gain access to the best prostitu
Forum: Hate Groups

If a person doesn't believe their religion is the best one, they probably shouldn't bother with it. There's a difference between saying your religion is the best and saying that all other religions are bogus and dangerous. I have no problem with people witnessing their faith to me as long as they don't throw the weight of law behind it. As a former atheist, I am no hesitant t
Forum: Hate Groups

It's called "lighting" a cross, not "burning" a cross. It is meant as a display rather than a destruction. It's an old Scottish rite. I think it is disrespectful to Christianity and should be banned.
Forum: Hate Groups

One of the weirdest things about LDS is that children separate from the parents when they children get married. They may go years without seeing their parents. An LDS parent told me it is normal.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"