When Organized Religion Becomes a Cult

dazed but not confused

I saw this mentioned in a post. I thought it deserved a thread of its own. I liked how this article reasoned with the reader how a religion can cross over into cult territory very quickly.

"The harm stems from a system that shuns and ostracizes adherents that don't accept their exclusive claims to truth. That is where conventional religion becomes a potentially harmful cult. Forcing people to conform by using the subtle threat of social alienation is a form of coercion."

"Any religious community can become a cult. It's not about how faith is expressed in a community but more importantly how people are treated if they want to leave and disbelieve."

Full article here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eliyahu-federman/when-organized-religion-become_b_3996139.html
dazed but not confused

There is a 6 min chilling video at the end of the article.

I want to share this article so badly with my mom and sister, but sadly, I think it will push them farther away from me.
clarity

thanks ... I understand exactly what she was saying,

but hate the fact that I do!
yadda yadda 2

JW's = cult thread number 2,398.
Oubliette

Great quote. Thanks for sharing with us! Don't give up on your mom and sister.
eyeuse2badub

marked
dazed but not confused

Me too Clarity, me too.

Yes yadda yadda, I know there are many JW’s = cult threads. I just liked this article.

Oubliette – I wont give up. I will just have to be more creative trying to get them to think.