Is the US headed towards a socialist government?

[kandrathe]

Much of the activity of anti-cult groups, and the research that underpins it, is very controversial. This includes the gentleman who wrote the above link, Massimo Introvigne. This is not as simple as mere freedom of religion, as many of these religious groups are or have been involved in illegal or abusive practices, hiding under the cloak of religious freedom. This includes ISKCON.

Societies strike different balances between the protection of individual rights to be free from unlawful abuses in the name of religion with the freedom to practice religion. This is not a simple issue. To a large extent, it depends on whose testimony you believe, that of apostates, or that of organizations. I don't think we have a simple, blanket way of sorting that kind of issue out.

Sure, but "cult"is often used as a slur to belittle an otherwise valid belief system. Such as Mormonism, which while not main stream, is recognized as a valid religion in North America. In the USA at least, it seems that press ostracism often precludes state sponsored violence against these "cults".