Red Right Hand - Laying Down the Law
Well, France did it. They passed anti-cult legislation. This gives us hope that Canada can do the same.
Since 2001 the Picard Anti-Sect Law (named after Catherine Picard, former MP and co-sponsor of the French anti-cult law) has been in operation, permitting "mental manipulation" be punishable by a maximum fine of £50,000 and five years imprisonment. Well, thank the heavens. Someone has some sense.
It seems this law came under quite a large attack by Catholics, The Church of Scientology and many other religious groups, some which are true cults, others that simply practice a common belief system that are cult-like but were never the intended target of said law.
In our book, 'Cracking the Cult Code' we will propose that nearly every aspect of our societal life is essentially operating with at least some of the cult criterion in place. Some of it we can change, some we cannot.
Legal structure needs to be made clear and concise because law works on the basis of proof which requires substantial evidence. The terminology of 'brainwashing' can be a slippery slope because definitions can wax and wain.
This author would propose a list of specific criteria that are considered tell-tale and, as well, to clearly define unacceptable aspects of cult behaviour. The law would surround these criteria and a certain number of them would need to be met in order for successful prosecution.
Doing so in this manner can still allow for religious and cultural freedom whilst properly identifying sects that are causing childhood trauma, physical and emotional abuse, financial theft that leaves the person unable to set up their life once again (if it is a live-in cult), and a specific structure: with a leader & "guard dogs". A mental assessment of a cult member can be used to diagnose whether they have tell-tale signs of true mind control where they are not able to think clearly for themselves. It's called psychology, folks.
Applying less focus on whether someone believes in God or a Spaghetti Monster and more focus on the level of abuse being dished out, then becomes less of a religious freedom issue and more about the health and well being of the participant.
Some of the hate articles and organizations out there damning the good people trying to stop cults that obviously harm people, is astonishing. Clearly their own cult-mind control is in full swing. If you are a good and loving religion, promoting positive traits in people and working to get along in this clearly insane world, good for you, keep at it. You are not the focus here. If you are murdering children and burying them in your backyard, ya, this law is for you.
If laws can be proposed to override someone's health decisions, in the form of forced vaccinations, as seen in the California State law SB277 for example, then a law can be mandated carrying enough evidence proving that an individual is under mental, emotional and physical duress and intervene accordingly.
Just like in holistic medicine, each case is unique and in not a cookie cutter mold. The double-blind placebo controlled study is standard however, is open to manipulation/corruption and cannot possibly test individual responses. The same goes for cultic law, so this will need to be addressed as we move forward here in Canada.
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