Post on cults

This is what just I wrote on the 'cults' thread:

Cults are exclusive societies, generally founded on some kind of belief or tradtion. Often they are structured around a central power or heirachy- this being what seperates them from other religious groups. As such, they can also be quite undemocratic, to which a lot of people object, and thus are the subjects of much prejudice in society.

And yet, there is no law to stop people participating. Cults are protected under the same legislation as any other religion or legal organisation. Because they are so alternative, not many people understand them, but then, tolerance only demands acceptance, not understanding. If you would tolerate extreme Christian or Muslim beliefs, so must you tolerate cultic behaviour.

As long as they aren't conspiring to do anything criminal, cult members are doing nothing wrong. Even pursuing separatism is not illegal. Admittedly, some cults do conspire criminally, but then, they are subject to the same laws as any other criminals. Not all cults have such intentions, and so it is only prejudice to condemn them all alike, no matter how much you disagree with them.