NathanJ,

Regardless of how societies have been structured and governed, religion has played a fundamental part.

When the Roman emperor, Theodosius, made christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire he was making a political decision not a religious one.

By giving a religious group authority and the ability to tax the population through the use of a tithe he could get on with governing the empire.

Religious laws were much more restrictive than secular laws so a large percentage of the population could be kept in check.

All religions are cults designed to control and tax the fragile and gullible

Did anyone watch Monty Python's "Life of Brian",
last night?

Nathan wrote: "The mother sought spiritual healing, joining a church that prohibited seeking medical care, a decision that later cost her life."

While not exactly false, its not exactly true either.

Did anyone read the actual article about the incident?

The women suffered depression and anxiety prior to joining the church. Clearly the meds she was getting weren't of much help otherwise she wouldn't have been seeking other solutions.

Her son died and she couldn't process it.

She suicided due to her grief and prior medical problems. Nothing to do with the church.

And now we have a daughter who, for many years, abandoned her mother and now seeks to assuage survivor's guilt by moving the guilt elsewhere without any evidence.

And the ABC, being the ABC, leaps at any chance to attack anything that looks even vaguely Christian.

Life of Brian...

I've watched it so many times I don't really need to any longer. I could probably do all parts from memory.

And its relevance to today?
(smile).

Dear Nathan,

Cults have very little to do with religion - cults are essentially a social phenomena.

Forming cults which restrict the behaviour of others, can happen in many settings, including in family/clan settings, in workplaces and among children.

People's animal nature and insecurities make them seek power, money and sex (in different order for different people).
Until one has overcome their animal nature and insecurities, it is OK to pursue the above using ethical means.

Some people, however, are willing to make unethical shortcuts in their pursuit, and one method is by forming cults.

Only because someone mentioned the word 'God' does not make what they do religious.

Religion takes us beyond our animal nature - hence there are no religious cults.

«What concerns me the most is the lack of accountability. Religious groups, whether cults or mainstream, operate without facing any consequences for the harm caused.»

What nonsense - nobody can escape the consequences of their actions. The law of karma operates without lapse.

«when a group’s harmful practices lead to a life being lost, there seems to be no reprimand.»

Yes, there SEEMS to be no reprimand. It only SEEMS so.

«stories like this leave me heartbroken for the families. Their pain is permanent.»

You seem to take it too personally.
People need to experience what they need, including pain.
What if, they were themselves a cult-leader in a previous life?
Won't you agree that they now need to experience how it feels on the receiving end?
No pain is permanent. Both pleasure and pain come and go, that is the very nature of life on earth.

«I do also believe the problem here lies with society.»

What you consider a "problem" is a natural behaviour.

Now if you have formed a society, you may want to limit animal behaviour within it, but do remember that this applies only within your society: you have no right to limit the behaviour of others who never willingly consented to belong to your society - and if you do so, then your own society is in fact a cult!