Perhaps these countries' experiences could provide a blueprint for the U.S. on how to legally approach cultic groups in the future without violating freedom of association or freedom of speech.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Scientology Faces Criminal Charges By CONSTANT BRAND – 10 hours ago BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) — A Belgian prosecutor on Tuesday recommended that the U.S.-based Church of Scientology stand trial for fraud and extortion, following a 10-year investigation that concluded the group should be labeled a criminal organization.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

But in basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., Aguayo couldn't adjust like other recruits did. It pained him to march to "Left, right, kill!" and to chant "We are not men. We are beasts." He stumbled out of gas-mask training crying, and wrote to Helga that the sting of the gas made him think of Nazi gas chambers.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteLantash It's also interesting to note that the most ardent proponents of national service today are those who underwent it during its worst phase. The American government provides plenty of opportunities for young adults to undergo cultic training as a soldier so as to kill without hesitation, but not for national service of a different kind, perhaps building and maintaining our infr
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It appears to be open. The article was written by someone who was in the Army Rangers, so he is familiar with the process about which he speaks.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This sounds similar to the methods of cultic psychological conditioning in many ways: Since World War II, a new era has quietly dawned in modern warfare: an era of psychological warfare, conducted not upon the enemy, but upon one’s own troops. The triad of methods used to enable men to overcome their innate resistance to killing includes desensitization, classical and operant conditioning, a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Accounts of a secret cult of murderers roaming India go back at least as far as the 13th century, but to modern history their story usually begins with the entrance of the British Empire in the early 1800s. ?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

- The Opus Dei cult attempts to crush free expression by taking a small, underfunded French publisher to court over a fictional book. States that the book "questions the honor" of the cult. From Rue 89, Paris, France. (June 10, 2007) - Fr. Richard McBrien, Professor of Theology, skillfully deconstructs Opus Dei cult member Senator Brownback's defense of creationism. From The
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Curious defense of the Scientology cult: The article mentions several instances of cultic behavior that separate it from mainstream branches of religions (ie: focus on wealth and secrecy) and then states that it is not a cult.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

With regards to torture, the Falun Gong cult often has had their members restrained in uncomfortable positions for hours on the streets of NYC while giving out information about the cult. They have had people with their hands tied behind their back, their arms being held up by ropes in a semi-crucified position and squatting in a wood cage about 3 feet high. Some time ago they have a number of
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Would it be possible to post a few more details on how you were able to get her out? Was the person on the inside a member or someone posing as a member? A private investigator perhaps?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Germany has barred the makers of a movie about a plot to kill Adolf Hitler from filming at German military sites because its star Tom Cruise is a Scientologist, the Defence Ministry said on Monday. Cruise, also one of the film's producers, is a member of the Church of Scientology which the German government does not recognise as a church. Berlin says it masquerades as a religion to make m
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

# Spying on the spy - Story and interview with Eric O'Neil, the Catholic FBI Agent who captured Opus Dei cult member and convicted spy Hanssen. From Raw Story. (June 12, 2007) # Opus Dei cult attempts to crush free expression - The Opus Dei cult attempts to crush free expression by taking a small, underfunded French publisher to court over a fictional book. States that the book "q
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteK.D. What exact criteria do the Messianics believe that Scheerson met to be considered Messianic ???? Did he perform miracles? I find this part of their movement to be especially disturbing. Scheerson sounds like "just a man" with many "opportunistic" tendencies... Many cultic group founders are considered to be messianic by many of their followers. Some psy
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteashwynAnd how many psychologists agree on this list? Would I be correct in saying that the contents of the list could easily vary depending on which psychiatrist you talk to? I am a member of another 'cult' which is receiving heavy criticism for allegedly seeking publicity through the media (on this very forum.) The fact that we are supposedly seeking publicity has been stat
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

In case anyone needs these Florida laws with the Cease and Desist Letter: In case a mind control cult is harassing and/or stalking you. -------------------------------------------- Stalking Fla. Stat § 784.048. Stalking; definitions; penalties. Amended 2004. and
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I believe that US law enforcement takes the view that as long as the cults are not breaking the law, (ie: assault, murder) then legally they cannot interfere with their operations. Cults know this and use it to their advantage; however, they do engage in criminal harassment, which is illegal, though difficult to prove. If they do engage in harassment, this Cease and Desist Letter can be helpful
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quotesandy72Quote u obviously choose to see the negative rather then the positive i dont know who u are but u must have major issues on religion and specifically chabad u can call it a cult or whatever else it doesnt matter its what u make it mean that matters its ur opinion about it and i think u should work it out privately thats my opinion not publicize the way u do its really disgusti
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteK.D. You are correct about the harrassment......we are now getting threatening phone calls at our home.... I am sure that it is them due to the thick accent. The police and phone company are investigating. - Harassment is standard operating procedure for cults. Most likely the person making the calls is not person who is the head of the cult, but one of the members of the cult. Thi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteK.D. We have disinherited her but it did nothing to change her decision.... Ms. - Since I am not a parent myself, so I can only imagine the emotions that you are feeling right now. However, I do have some understanding of cultic psychology and its effects. Please note that part of this psychology is that cults tell their members that everyone outside of the cult is bad, is evil and
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Recent articles: # State Education Ministry Rejects Opus Dei School - The Opus Dei cult fails in its bid to open a school for recruiting purposes in Potsdam, Germany. From. Deutsche Welle (May 3, 2007) # Know Thy Enemy - Review of movie about Opus Dei cult member and convicted spy Robert Hanssen. From the Harvard Political Review. (April 25, 2007) # Controversy surrounds La Catolica u
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteK.D. I will do EVERYTHING that I can to let all Jews know that these practices are taking place.... I am a devoted Jew... no one, not you or Chabad can tell me that I am not "Jewish enough"... we all have to be strong and stand together against this type of practice! This activity has NO place in Jewish life. Ms. - There are similar cults that operate among Catholics (as w
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

While I cannot confirm what goes on inside Lubavitch, I can confirm that they are almost constantly recruiting new members on the streets of NYC in a very heavy handed manner. Often, they will take young men and brainwash them to harass people on the street and ask "Are you Jewish?". They quite literally get in your face and try to stop you from walking. In addition, they are backed
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

A recent show held at Radio City in NYC was a front for the Falun Gong cult: One of the primary sponsoring organizations, NDTV, is a Falun Gong front. Another one of the sponsors, The Epoch Times, is also a Falun Gong front organziation. In addition, they are being held in Boston, Chicago, DC, Houston, LA, Paris, San Diego, San Fran, Seoul, Sydney, Taiwan, Toronto, Vancouver and Wilmington
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotematildaA number of destructive cults have developed from and even within mainstream religions. This is correct. For example, in the Catholic Church, there are several powerful cults within it: Opus Dei, Regnum Christi (Legion of Christ), Communion & Liberation, Focolare and Neocatechumenate. Within Judiaism, several ultra-orthadox sects, settler groups and Jews for Jesus are cu
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

As a Harvard Divinity School graduate, his investigation of the Christian Right agenda is even more alarming given its lucidity. Citing the psychology and sociology of fascism and cults, including the work of German historian Fritz Stern, Hedges draws striking parallels between 20th-century totalitarian movements and the highly organized, well-funded "dominionist movement," an influenti
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Jeanne Roy, a deputy district attorney in Riverside County, Calif., said that the next step for her office is to see whether Henson shows up for his March 5 court date. If he does not, an Arizona warrant would be issued for his arrest. If he does, Roy said, another court date would be set to deal with extradition through a process known as a governor's warrant.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Keith Henson, an outspoken anti-Scientology activist, was arrested last night and is currently being held at the Prescott Detention Center in Arizona. His wife, Arel Lucas, says he was taken into custody on a 6-year old bench warrant issued by a Riverside County judge.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

From The Guardian, UK: He acknowledged that the country faced a different and more dangerous threat than in the days of IRA terrorism and that it had "all the disturbing elements of a death cult psychology". ?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

By the way, an excellent site for information on investing in low-cost mutual funds and building wealth the old-fashioned way without cults, please go to: www.vanguard.com. Vanguard has the lowest cost mutual funds in the US and puts the interests of its mutual fund shareholders first. Even if you do not invest with them, the site is an excellent source of information about investing in gener
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"