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Entry: Should the Government Constrain Cults? Link: http://www.takimag.com/blogs/article/should_the_government_constrain_cults#361 Post contents: As Robert Heinlein said, a church is anything that calls itself a church. The federal government has no authority, no right, and no business to determine what is and is not a church/ valid religion. One of the principles of this country is the right to worship however you choose, whether you worship Jesus, the moon and sun, or your dog. It doesn't matter; it is no one's business but your own. As long as an individual's religious practices do not interfere with the rights of someone else, then it is irrelevant what religion said individual practices and in what way. You don't have to like that fact, but you do have to live with it. "Freedom of religion" means _any_ religion, even the ones that are unpopular or non-mainstream or "orgiastic sun-worshippers in Arizona." In the eyes of the law, Wicca, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, etc. are equivalent; religion under the law is a null area -- and should remain so. Allowing the government any latitude to decide what is or is not religion can only end in tragedy; do Salem and Waco ring any bells? Sent at: 2008 07 24