Concerning "Fundie" religions ,

[Valerie5555]

I bet the difference between cults and some religions especially the "fundie" ones, may be the size and I bet it no doubt would take guts to LEAVE BOTH.

My $0.02 worth on that topic

[ikojo]

1. It does take guts to leave a fundamentalist religion

because it is so often said to be THE TRUTH. When one leaves fundamentalism it is as if one is turning one's back on the truth. Many people lose their entire support system when leaving fundamentalism.

[Valerie5555]

4. Had done Bible studies with the Jehovah's Witnesses,

but hadn't gotten to the point of actually becoming one.

[InkAddict]

19. The JWs aren't the only ones to

practice shunning. Fundies are very expert supplying the "mind terror" and know that it can be psychologically devastating even when the victim is intellectually aware of the MO; the Person Without a Family can be much worse off than the Man w/o a Country. If you run across someone in this situation, be gentle. They've experienced one of the worst forms of manipulative abuse and betrayal of trust.

[caledesi]

2. The Christian Right is Neither.

Amen.

[Valerie5555]

5. Wondered what everyone thought ot the AYATOLLAH KHOMEINI,

though "Ayatollah Assahola" were now my sentiments exactly concerning him.


Though I probably shouldn't get myself started on either him or Osama Bin Laden either.

[Iris]

3. I believe cults

have physcial as well as mental control over their "members."

Considering so many Americans will do anything to be a part of a group, I agree with you that getting out of either situation would be difficult for the average person.

[Valerie5555]

6. Holy moly !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Could you believe it was the 25 year anniversary of the Jonestown cult suicides this year, though most may have been MASS MURDERS.


That thought just hit me, btw.

[Iris]

7. wait, my post inspired you to remember that?

It's because I left the "r" off of "either" in my original post, isn't it?

[Valerie5555]

8. Think it was what I said about cults, for

JONESTOWN - PEOPLE'S TEMPLE is a CULT.


If Bushie has a political "personality cult," here's hoping we all resist his CYANADE LACED KOOLAID or FLAVORAIDE as much as we could.

[Iris]

9. maybe we should be resisting Coke products!

[Valerie5555]

10. Meant the KOOLAID reference as a metaphor, for

I think Coca cola "retro" collectible items are "cool."

[Iris]

11. Coca-Cola disgusts me as a company -

their goal is to get every man, woman and child to drink 4 of their sugared waters a day.

But I think I really brought it up because someone in a Health & Education thread suggested artificial sweetners leave people susceptible to mind control!

[Valerie5555]

12. They may be

only :scared:y in that regard. As well as not to mention CONSIGNING UNSUSPECTING INDIVIDUALS, to certain kinds of DENTAL HELL.

[Iris]

13. ok. Now I'm laughing out loud.

and it's too early in the morning for that!

[Friar]

22. I lost 40 pounds

when I quit drinking those expensive sugar waters. Yay me!

ps: I made no other dietary or lifestyle changes.

[Wonk]

16. LOL on so many levels.... :-) nt

[InkAddict]

20. It's difficult because the victim

often cannot even speak about it with "supporters" without being scolded that speaking of it means that the shunners are still in control.

[blackcat77]

14. It's not about size, it's about personality

A fundamentalist religion can still be Christ-centered whereas a cult will be focused on the head of the church. Jim Jones and David Koresh are good examples as was VP Wierwille, who was head of The Way International. I came very close to falling for that bunch...

[MinnFats]

15. Oh, God, the Way...the 'rightly divided word'

and Wierd Willy.
he is long dead, no?
Never came close to joining. Did some reporting on the Way about 20 years ago.
It was the first of a very few times when something I was looking into as a reporter left me plenty frightened. those people are really whacked, no offense to you.
may have to send u a pm on this....but give me an update if you can...

[7th_Sephiroth]

17. I know

That coca-cola used to contain cocane, wich cause it to be so popular despite its horrible taste, i think it was in the early 80's that coca cola was told to alter its formula, but i dont think they ever really did. On a side note studies have found that most cash has traces of cocaine on them, so the bush administration is trying to introduce a law, to make cash illegal, as it can be classified as a drug, and sent to haliburton for proper disposal somewhere in switzerland.

[Friar]

23. according to the History Channel

Coca~cola never had any but trace ammounts of cocaine to begin with. Never enough to actually give a high. It was always caffeine that "gave a lift". A fairly innocuous stimulant, except to Mormons.

[Friar]

24. 31 posts and I haven't said

Welcome?

Welcome!

:toast:

[Nikia]

18. There is a difference

In a cult things are usually a bit more absolute. You are often required to do many things in a cult that often includes most of your private life as well. In Fundamentalism, you may be required or encouraged to do certain things but usually it isn't so encompassing and you usually are not kicked out and shunned for most of those things. In Fundamentalism, you are usually allowed to associate with everyone, even though you may be strongly advised of marrying outside of your religion or being close friends with non believers. In a cult, often you are required to break off all contact with outsiders, including your own family. If you leave your Fundamentalist religion, you may be able to continue to associate with people you met there although they may see you differently. If you leave a cult, those cult members will hate you and shun you, even your own family. A cult usually centers around one leader and whatever the leader says is from God and needs to be obeyed. Fundamentalism usually has had many leaders throughout history and scripture and traditions have been developed over time. One leader will not change everything. (I know that Catholicism is sort of like this but the pope usually does consult with bishops and others.) Fundamentalism is larger than cults, but that also allows for some differences in worship and doctorine as well as personalities. One can usually switch to another congregation if one has slight differnces of opinion that may be important to an individual member in Fundamentalism. In cults, that is not possible.

[Friar]

21. cults or sects

It's all the same. Religion is mostly about hate. Hating yourself, hating life in general and especially anyone who disagrees with you.

I was tired of politics this morning and went surfing science sites. As usual, I got derailed with all the fun links and happened on this one. If you need some hilarity in your life, check the links here:

http://www.crank.net/religion.html

too funny...

[Nikia]

25. No it isn't

To me it is about connecting with God (or the spiritual realm for those who are not montheists) and ethical living, which included loving others.

[Friar]

26. ethics and religion are seperate

subjects of discussion. Extremely seperate :)

ethics is: A set of principles of right conduct.

religion is all of these things:

Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.

A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.

The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.

A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

Only the ignorant (or willfully deceptive) think morals and ethics (and love) are equitible with religion.