This thread reminds me of the experiences of some people I know who were recruited into a New Age doomsday cult. The mother finally got herself and two children out, but not until after her three year old daughter had been molested by a man that the "Guru" had told her to marry. Knowing what happened to them led me to research thought reform, fraud, and the way our precious freedoms are used by con artists to get away with unethical and illegal behavior. This particular cult has moved its headquarters several times from state to state. When it was in California, it lost a lawsuit brought by a former member. I found a statement by the California state court that said, religious belief is absolutely protected, religiously motivated ACTIONS are not. In other words, believe what you want, but your beliefs do not give you the license to commit fraud, coercion, psychological manipulation, etc. I am more concerned now about how vulnerable people (esp. children) have their minds so easily manipulated. Until I studied this phenomenon, I didn't realize how easily intelligent, good people can be shaped by the thoughts that are fed to them.
alice