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Apr. 18th, 2004 06:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
taratemimaThanks to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
dr_memory, I was reminded of something I wanted to rant about for a while.
To the nice folks at religioustolerance dot org:
I realize that we may have different views on the Unification Church. You see them as just a fairly new religion among many, unfairly targeted by orthodox Christians. I see them as scary right-wing nuts (a distinction they share with some more mainstream religious right segments, which includes, yes, some anti-cult organizations). I don't think people stay members because of mind control (and oddly enough, the anti-cult websites I read doesn't seem to go for a Manchurian candidate scenario) but because most people hate admitting they're wrong and hate being ostracized by people who seem to accept them, especially when it comes to the fate of your eternal soul.
I take issue with one statement:
Civil rights groups tend to value and promote sexual, racial, and religious diversity. Many see intolerance (whether based on gender, race, nationality, sexual orientation or religion) as being hazardous to social tranquility and the attainment of "liberty and justice for all." Many believe that the [Counter-cult movement's] main product is religious intolerance; they see this as undesirable as sexism, racism and homophobia.
If you see here, Rev. Moon has more than a few connections to racism and homophobia. He seems to gun for 'traditional sex roles,' so I'd add sexism there, but that's me.
(And don't get me started on the Scientologists. If I am feeling kind, I'd classify them as a odd and really expensive mixture of acting classes, half-assed Buddhism and space opera. If I am feeling mean, I growl something about suppressive persons, Xenu and pushing quack cures on people with affective and learning disorders. I don't think they reformed all that much after Miscivage. Plus, you quote the Cult Awareness Network after they are bought out by the Scientologists ("Foundation for Religious Freedom" is another front group of theirs). I am a big cheerleader for religious tolerance. I am also a big cheerleader for religious education. However, I have to wonder about your ability to disintigush good sources from the bad. Much like the 'Satanic ritual' panic of the 80s.)
And there is so much more.
dr_memory, I was reminded of something I wanted to rant about for a while.To the nice folks at religioustolerance dot org:
I realize that we may have different views on the Unification Church. You see them as just a fairly new religion among many, unfairly targeted by orthodox Christians. I see them as scary right-wing nuts (a distinction they share with some more mainstream religious right segments, which includes, yes, some anti-cult organizations). I don't think people stay members because of mind control (and oddly enough, the anti-cult websites I read doesn't seem to go for a Manchurian candidate scenario) but because most people hate admitting they're wrong and hate being ostracized by people who seem to accept them, especially when it comes to the fate of your eternal soul.
I take issue with one statement:
Civil rights groups tend to value and promote sexual, racial, and religious diversity. Many see intolerance (whether based on gender, race, nationality, sexual orientation or religion) as being hazardous to social tranquility and the attainment of "liberty and justice for all." Many believe that the [Counter-cult movement's] main product is religious intolerance; they see this as undesirable as sexism, racism and homophobia.
If you see here, Rev. Moon has more than a few connections to racism and homophobia. He seems to gun for 'traditional sex roles,' so I'd add sexism there, but that's me.
(And don't get me started on the Scientologists. If I am feeling kind, I'd classify them as a odd and really expensive mixture of acting classes, half-assed Buddhism and space opera. If I am feeling mean, I growl something about suppressive persons, Xenu and pushing quack cures on people with affective and learning disorders. I don't think they reformed all that much after Miscivage. Plus, you quote the Cult Awareness Network after they are bought out by the Scientologists ("Foundation for Religious Freedom" is another front group of theirs). I am a big cheerleader for religious tolerance. I am also a big cheerleader for religious education. However, I have to wonder about your ability to disintigush good sources from the bad. Much like the 'Satanic ritual' panic of the 80s.)
And there is so much more.
