Protesters with Signs

[SamSpade]

Got a weird question....

You're driving down the street and you pass a church, and there are protesters outside. They're carrying signs claiming the church is a cult, uses deception and coercion - maybe even complains about doctrine or something - but otherwise - nothing outright illegal. Their big beef is that they think this church should be shut down.

You talk with them for a minute and just as you suspect - they're former members themselves. And they are really p!ssed. They think the authorities should intervene and shut this church down by any means necessary.

Which side do you tend to sympathize with more?

 

[aps45819]

Which side do you tend to sympathize with more?

Neither, it's none of my business. People has always been and always will be stupid as to matters of religion.
There will always be sheep willing to be led and wolves willing to lead them.

 

[PsyOps]

Got a weird question....

You're driving down the street and you pass a church, and there are protesters outside. They're carrying signs claiming the church is a cult, uses deception and coercion - maybe even complains about doctrine or something - but otherwise - nothing outright illegal. Their big beef is that they think this church should be shut down.

You talk with them for a minute and just as you suspect - they're former members themselves. And they are really p!ssed. They think the authorities should intervene and shut this church down by any means necessary.

Which side do you tend to sympathize with more?

Is the Church breaking the law in any way?

 

[Jeff]

Neither... The church has not been proven guilty of anything and these people have a right to their opinion.

'BUT', If they get in my way or are rude with their protest. I'll symathize with the church simply because it has not bothered me.

 

[vraiblonde]

I'm not a huge fan of protestors, so I'll side with the church.

 

[SamSpade]

I'm actually vaguely referring to a real-life situation, with a church I used to go to many years ago - which I do regard as a cult. Even when I was in it, I had about the same feeling about protesters outside as I do now - these people need to get a life. They had about the same level of credibility as Cindy Sheehan, with about as much in effectiveness.

I mean, the church isn't breaking laws. Zero. At their worst, they're not nice people. And they pressure people. And perhaps dishonest. The case I'm thinking of, the person wants to bar the church in question from using public schools as a place for worship - which they're entitled to.

I just think it's silly. I marginally tend to sympathize with the church even though I left it years ago for very good reason. I just think you should be able to worship however you want, even if it's really really weird.

 

[PsyOps]

I'm actually vaguely referring to a real-life situation, with a church I used to go to many years ago - which I do regard as a cult. Even when I was in it, I had about the same feeling about protesters outside as I do now - these people need to get a life. They had about the same level of credibility as Cindy Sheehan, with about as much in effectiveness.

I mean, the church isn't breaking laws. Zero. At their worst, they're not nice people. And they pressure people. And perhaps dishonest. The case I'm thinking of, the person wants to bar the church in question from using public schools as a place for worship - which they're entitled to.

I just think it's silly. I marginally tend to sympathize with the church even though I left it years ago for very good reason. I just think you should be able to worship however you want, even if it's really really weird.

I don't really see sides to take. Both have their right to do what they are doing as long as they aren't breaking the law. It's pretty much just one group annoying the other.

 

[Larry Gude]

Here's a broader context...

I just think it's silly. I marginally tend to sympathize with the church even though I left it years ago for very good reason. I just think you should be able to worship however you want, even if it's really really weird.

...what you are describing is how all religions developed. Some kept going and evolving. Others fell by the way side. So, isn't his very much religion in action? That's what interests me, the fight; Blasphemer! Cult!

I mean, if everyone worshiped the way they wanted, not how they were taught, there's be no great religions, just a whole bunch of little cults.

 

[Toxick]

Which side do you tend to sympathize with more?

The church.


If the apostates want to join another religion and/or start they're own, they're more than welcome to do so.

 

[SamSpade]

The church.


If the apostates want to join another religion and/or start they're own, they're more than welcome to do so.

From the context of my brief interaction with this guy - it strikes me like revenge. Like the reactions of a jilted lover. It's not enough that they leave the church themselves - they have to poison the well for everyone else. They have to be sure the world knows how eeeeeee-vil they are.

To be sure - they messed up my life. But I joined and left of my own free will. I just trusted them too much. I've been reading stuff about cults for over 17 years, and the best comparison anyone's ever made is that a cult member is a lot like an abused spouse - they CAN leave, but for any number of reasons, they stay. And their behavior prior to, and after departure is very similar.