FWD: Le Monde Diplomatique, June 2001

[David Morris]

>From: Michel Ryckx One of the problems raised in this issue, is : how to 
>discern a church from a sect?  This has not been solved yet, but there is a 
>consensus it has something to do with the possibility of leaving a church 
>on one's own free will.  Self-proclaimed churches like Scientology, 
>Jehovah's Witnesses and the like make it very difficult for their members 
>to leave.  Hence they usually are considered to be sects.  But no authority 
>will prevent you from entering them.

Michel,
In the US about ten years ago the spectre of mind-controlling cults stealing 
our impressionable youg adults was a hot topic.  And to combat this threat a 
new industry emerged, called "deprogramming."  The theory was that our young 
pups were being held against their "real" will by insidious mind-controlling 
cultists.  "Deprogramming" consisted of:
1.  Kidnapping the strayed young one and hauling him off to a remote 
location.
2.  Imobilizing him, usually spread-eagle and naked four-point tied to a 
bed.
3.  Day and night harrassment of him and his beliefs untill his will 
collapsed.

This is also known as brain-washing, which is just what the cults were 
accused of doing.  But the cults never were so brazen.

>A citizen of the US may forget that wars in which religion played a major 
>role had been haunting Europe for some centuries.  With all respect for the 
>American Constitution and its amendments, the European view on some things 
>is usually very historicized.  The implied superiority of David Morris' 
>statement 'God bless the the First amendment' could be seen (from this side 
>of the Atlantic, that is) as a bit over the top.

Yes, but the avoidance of such religious wars was the very point of the 1st 
Amendment, and the whole Enlightenment agenda.  The intention was to protect 
religious minorities against hostile legeislation by the majority.

>And, David Morris continued: "I'd rather be at the risk of being fooled by 
>some cult than have the government decide which religions are worthy of 
>"dissolution."  ALL religions are money-making cults, fer Buddha's sake!", 
>to which I can only reply that it is not the gouvernment deciding, but that 
>the different parliaments set out the limits.  They are elected 
>democratically.  As for your last phrase, I couldn't agree more.

Parliaments are a mob, and Parliament IS government.  Some protection for 
minorities must be insured against the mob.  Thomas Jefferson is one of my 
all-time heros in this regard.  He was a true genius in many respects.

I still think that Europe needs to catch up to our 1st Amendment.

David Morris


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