Brainwashing Cases and Freedom of Religion

What is the primary question addressed in this article? What can we learn from this article? Primarily this article delves into detail about certain court cases involving high tolerance sects, referred to as â€Å"cults† and ex-members attempting to sue said cult for various different reasons. The most detailed cases described by the author are of cases in which the plaintiff is accusing the so-called cult of brainwashing the person into joining; seen in cases such as George v. ISKCON (International Society of Krishna Conciousness) as well as Molko and Leal v. The Unification Church [Richardson (1990): 3, 8]. The foremost problem that this presents is whether or not brainwashing is a successful practice that members of sects or â€Å"cults† use to bring in new members. A key person in most cases using the accusation of brainwashing in order to bring a case against a cult religion is Dr. Margaret Singer [Richardson (1990): 3]. She has been used to examine plaintiffs for their emotional distress, symptoms of mental disorders, and come to conclusions if indeed they were brainwashed. Many psychologists and sociologists disagree with her positions, having posted amicus curiae briefs in appeals courts attempting to limit use of â€Å"brainwashing† accusations in cult cases. These scholars claim that psychologists like Dr. Singer ignore a large portion of studies done on new religions that reveal it is unlikely that new members are coerced into joining [Richardson (1990): 2-3]. It represents the research that scholars have put into participants joining new religions voluntarily, for whichever reasons they feel to choose using their free will. This includes the fact that in the 1960’s many people chose different lifestyles that some would refer to as â€Å"hippies† or â€Å"beatniks† instead of what they believe is a hypocritical path following the Second World War and other stresses of the world. The brief also applied that groups such as the Hare Krishna and Unification church have a small number of members and have high drop-off rates; which if brainwashing were true means that they would be expanding rather than contracting [Richardson (1990): 9-10]. The George v. ISKCON case was successful in collecting emotional distress damages and wrongful death of the father (who had heart failure soon after his daughter was returned), totaling $2. 9 million for the plaintiffs. However, now in many courts the position of brainwashing is not accepted as an argument for cult cases [Richardson (1990): 8-9]. What is the next question this article may lead one to answer? A tempting question that this article may lead one to think about is whether or not such circumstances as those presented in court cases against religious sects takes away from their freedom of religion. It does not appear that a Catholic church would be taken to court for handing out pamphlets to spread word of their religion, nor Jehovah Witnesses for walking door to door with the same idea. However, whatever methods smaller sects use to gain more members seem to ultimately deal with lost members claiming them to have used mind control or coercive persuasion to attract the member. In the George case, the claim was that since the Krishna sect helped hide the 15 year old girl from her parents, they were in a sense kidnapping her. This does not take into account that the girl was physically abused and mistreated by her parents, even chained to her bedroom to restrain her from trying different religious practices [Richardson (1990): 6]. While that may not necessarily make the Krishna sect heroic, it does seem to provide insight that the girl was unable to explore religious freedom. In essence, she was not given the choice by her parents of which religion she would like to join, which is exactly how it was argued that ISKCON had brainwashed her; by not giving her freedom of choice. This has to deal with the economics of religion philosophy that humans will make rational choices depending on their knowledge, tastes and preferences. Whether George made a rational decision to join ISKCON in the eyes of her parents, it was a decision she was not obligated to make. Three Finals Questions 1. Name and briefly explain three positions that Dr. Margaret Singer took in the George v. ISKCON case that seem to contradict popular psychologist and sociologist opinion. Singer claims that brainwashing and coercive persuasion used by the accused cults can be likened to that of Korean prisoners of war and those of Chinese Communist reformers. However, there is notable difference that ‘cult brainwashing’ uses psychological coercion while Korean prisoners of war were physically coerced through torture and other extremes. Singer even argues that psychological coercion is more effective despite tons of research that points the opposite [Richardson (1990): 10]. Singer discounts the impact on behavior from George’s parents’ negative reaction to her desire to join the church including the physical abuse she was given. Discredited ISKCON by not recognizing it as a religion having religious practices, that the case did not involve freedom of religion at all, despite the plaintiff George’s claim that she did convert to the religion. Did not accept that the plaintiff may have biases or ulterior motives for the court case, despite only spending a small session with her and claiming that she believes the plaintiff was â€Å"trying to be honest† with her [Richardson (1990): 4]. Does not believe the time in which a patient is examined after the ‘brainwashing’ event is important [Richardson (1990): 6]. 2. Explain what arguments were made by scholars in their amicus curiae briefs in the appeals of cult/brainwashing cases. The Scientific Community agreement argues that a large portion of studies have been done on new religions that reveal it is unlikely that new members are brainwashed [Richardson (1990): 2-3]. This represents the research that scholars have put into participants joining new religions voluntarily, for whichever reasons they feel to choose using their free will. The brief also applied that groups such as the Hare Krishna and Unification church have a small number of members and have high attrition (drop-off) rates; which if brainwashing were true means that they would be expanding rather than contracting [Richardson (1990): 9]. . Explain why these cases provide trouble for the perspective of freedom of religion. Unreliable sciences such as the psychology used by Dr. Singer tend to contradict the majority of scholarly research on small sects, including the study that youth who have joined such a group normally turn out to be in better psychological health individually afterward [Richards on (1990): 10]. It seems as though because of her reputation as a professional psychologist, Dr. Singer can claim whatever she wants to about a religion, using her bias or simply a lack of knowledge, and collect a paycheck for it. Krishna leaders of India fear that â€Å"paying such a large judgment would force the Hare Krishna to sell most of its United States assets, thereby severely limiting its activities here, or even leading to closure of its operations† [Richardson (1990): 9] Cases successful in accusing a small sect of brainwashing can send a negative view to the general population of cults. According to a Gallup Poll, more Americans in a nationwide survey would be less comfortable with sects or cults as neighbors than any other ethnic or religious group in the survey [Richardson (1990): 17]. The general population appears to fear what they believe is brainwashing being done to children of the society and wants to attack religions they are unaware of.

Rehabilitation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Rehabilitation - Essay Example This paper also explores the roles that the general environment plays in the success of rehabilitation treatments, including the roles that family, friends and the general society play in rehabilitation. (NIH; Mayo Clinic Staff; McLellan et al.; WebMD; National Library of Medicine; World Health Organization). II. Discussion There is an element to different forms of dependencies and illnesses, such as drug dependence and alcohol dependence, that is chronic and not easily treatable, and this implies that in many cases the focus and commitment of patients undergoing rehabilitation play a role in treatment outcomes. That the dependencies and illnesses are chronic and long-term also implies that those who are being treated must match the interest and the dedication of those offering help. This might be where general society, friends and family may fall short, because of the costs and the emotional and psychological consistency that is required for patients to become better over time. This may also be why treatments sometimes fail, as evidenced by the relapses observed in the medical and academic literature. Some patients become better for a time in relapse cases, but they sooner or later go back to old habits, whether those be dependencies or psychological and emotional dysfunctions. The relapses may be partly due to the lack of dedication on the part of the patients. This is recognized to such an extent that relapses are included as a necessary component of rehabilitation programs, and relapses are considered in all-inclusive treatment protocols that take into consideration the willingness of the patients to be treated. Recognizing that relapses are common and that patient attitudes factor into the success or failure of treatments also is an admission that dependencies, emotional and physical traumas, and other conditions that require rehabilitation are complex, and that many factors need to be considered in devising rehabilitation treatments and protocols that wor k. The reality of relapses point to human factors and patient attitudes and inclinations as outlying factors that affect treatment outcomes (NIH; Mayo Clinic Staff; McLellan et al.; WebMD). To be sure, there are aspects of various illnesses, such as drug dependence and the emotional and psychological traumas experienced by soldiers returning from war, that are physiological, and that in a way those who are seeking rehabilitation are those who admit that they don’t have total control of their will. They easily succumb to the temptations of their addictions, for instance, or that they have no willpower to get out of the psychological and emotional traumas that haunt them in the case of soldiers returning from war. This is recognized, and the literature suggests that science and medicine have progressed over the years to provide medications and other related interventions that treat those physical dependencies and allow patients to get over the physical aspects of their conditio ns. On the other hand, even with some effective drugs and treatments, the literature also suggests that treatment success rates remain inconsistent and varying, again taking us back to discussions on just how much effect the individual will power of the patients have in the success

Answer two questions Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Answer two questions - Personal Statement Example Amplification of signals makes them stronger than they are received2. Recent technologies also enable the changing of radio frequency that minimizes confusion of signals. An earth station sends uplinks that are received by a satellite. The satellite in turn amplifies the signal and sends downlinks that reach the earth station with minimal interruption. Positioning of the satellite and the quality of the receiver also determine if the distance between them will distort the signals. If two or more satellites are located near one another, there is a high chance  that the signals being sent to the earth might intersect and send wrong signals. The electromagnetic spectrums through which waves are transmitted are sensitive to blockages by the landscape3. If there are any landscape features blocking the spectrum, the signals might be distorted. The quality of receivers determines the accuracy in which the signal is received and interpreted4. In conclusion, distance affects the sending and receiving of signals. However, the modern technologies in signal transmission have overcome the issue. Use of amplification technology, sensitive receivers, and changing of wave frequency are solutions to overcoming the problems associated with

The Haberdasher Essay -- Chaucer Essays

The Haberdasher The â€Å"orphan pilgrims† of the Canterbury Tales appear to be quite interesting with their â€Å"geere apiked (365).† A snapshot of the guildsmen determines that the men were wealthy, apart of some type of brotherhood, and had wives that were socially upstanding. Now an argument arises when trying to decide whether or not the craftsmen were actually in a guild or not. Evidence supports my view that, not only were they in a guild, but it was legitimate, exclusive, and included only those with similar occupations. A haberdasher was amongst the fraternity Chaucer mentions. During the medieval times, this hat maker was probably using a cloth called chaperon to make hats. Both men and women wore these types of hats; beaver hats became popular. Women also wore veils on their head to hide their hair (Britannica). At this point in history, there were no legal contracts. This became a problem when the townspeople needed credit to buy items and the craftsmen needed raw materials. The main solution was for the craftsmen to join guilds in an effort to boost their reputation. â€Å"The ‘solempne’ and ‘greet fraternitee’ in whose livery Chaucer dressed the five Burgesses in the General Prologue of the Canterbury Tales was probably a craft fraternity (McCutchan 313).† Guilds were very important forces in the fourteenth century. A haberdasher or any craftsman would join â€Å"for personal establishment† and membership also was â€Å"the most frequently employed means of claiming such status in local society (Rosser 10).† The fraternities served as a form of kinship and inclusion amongst peers. The fictional kinship of a fraternity lent a moral force to the declarations of mutual respect sworn between the ‘... ... However, they are highly revered respected in the community and part of that is because of the product that they make. Clothing is a symbol for status, a political statement, and a first impression. Works Cited Boccaccio, Giovanni. The Decameron. Garden City: Garden City Publishing Company, 1930. Chaucer, Geoffrey. Canterbury Tales. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1987. Harwood, Britton J. â€Å"The ‘Fraternitee’ of Chaucer’s Guildsmen.† The Review of English Studies 39.155 (1988): 413-417. â€Å"Hat.† Encyclopedia Britannica. 2003. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 13 Nov 2003 http://search.eb.com/eb/article?eu=40311. Kirby, Thomas A. â€Å"The Haberdasher and his Companions.† Modern Language Notes 53.7 (1938): 504-505. Rosser, Gervase. â€Å"Crafts, Guilds and the Negotiations of Work in the Medieval Town.† Past and Present 154 (1997): 3-31.

Pepe Jeans Case Essay

The main advantage of Pepe not carrying inventory is obviously the cost savings, as it is usually not efficient or cost effective for that matter, to carry excess inventory. The downside is not having enough pairs of jeans on hand to ship to stores when demand is high. An inventory would help alleviate this. The six month lead time is both an advantage and disadvantage for Pepe. The long lead time is positive in that once a retailer places an order, they only have a week to cancel the order. Pepe is able to realize a profit after only ten days rather than months later. The contract locked retailers in immediately and keeps them from reneging on the deal. The downside is that many stores may be turned off by the long lead. It was mentioned in the article that most manufacturers have lead times of a few months or less. The independent stores also tended to order less volume due to the inflexible order system, and the trouble with fashion is that items typically have a short wearable life before they go out of style. Corporate purchasers were worried that the jeans they ordered may go out of style before they even arrive. If I were the manager of Pepe, I would assure my retail partners that every reasonable action was currently being taken to help reduce the current lead time. I would mention the options being considered and thank them for their partnership. I would then sit down with the CFO as well as the best analysts in the company and run reports to forecast the most efficient method of reducing lead time. The case mentions two alternatives to reduce lead time: working with a Hong Kong sourcing agent or building a finishing operation in the UK. Without seeing the company’s financials, it is difficult to say which would be a better choice. The article does mention that Pepe has no long term debt and appears to have plenty of cash on hand. If that is truly the case, then the better option may be to invest in the finishing factory. There would be a large investment up front, but lead time could be cut in half while reducing costs by up to ten percent as well. On the other hand, the sourcing agent could possibly reduce lead time down to as little as six weeks. The problem with this option is that costs to soar by as much as thirty percent.

The Social Pressures Of Large Group On How Individuals...

Experiment designer Solomon Asch conducted a line study in 1951 to show the social pressures of large group on how individuals think, feel, act and respond in social situations . The test had been given to a group of subjects who were asked to pick out and match line lengths. Asch’s experiment showed how easy it is to just assimilate with the majority rather than fight the current of the group and inspired many other studies that kept adding on support to his claim. Thus, the analysis of the groupthink culture started. After Asch’s experiment was over, people began to analyze what this could mean for social psychology, thus it began a revolution of conformity tests. Milgram, Darley and Latanà ©, and Stanford Prison Study all created a buzz around the terminology ‘bystander effect’ and what being part of a large mass of others will do to a person’s stance in social situations. A few psychologist will argue that people, when not given a specific responsibility will float among the crowd, allowing others to carry the weight . Then we have a few different opinions saying that people will actually perform better when others are present. Contributing factors that would challenge the individual to either conform or retaliate against the opposing force is the behavior of group(s), the impact of the situation, the social norms and roles, aggression within the group, and if they’re more caring and have that maternal or paternal instinct. Darley and Latanà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s 1968 experiment had 72Show MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Media On Youth Violence911 Words   |  4 PagesMedia: According to the World Health Organization, more than 1.6 million individuals lose their life to violence each year (32). The mass media delivers messages to communicate with individuals and structure the world. 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Characteristics And Weaknesses Of An Enterprise...

1. Given our studies of EA frameworks you are to identify five different criteria by which you can assess the strengths and weaknesses of the: TOGAF, FEA, LightWeight and Zachman framework. (50 points) Enterprise Architecture is an all-inclusive approach to managing the complexity of IT from a business viewpoint. A framework is used to help describe how to create and use an EA, in a manner that delivers business benefit in a cost - effective way. Each framework has a different approach to adding value to the business. These criteria will identify the ways an enterprise architecture framework adds business value, how adaptability and flexibility effect the overall adoption of an enterprise architecture framework, how the deliverables contribute to the success of an enterprise architecture, how does each framework take a strategic approach to reduce complexity of enterprise architecture, and how the framework encompasses the Software Development Lifecycle. The Zachman Framework considers that there may be different perspectives, however, each perspective considers the requirements of the other and the restraints those may impose. It also allows for different levels of complexity, depth, and breadth of details for each cell of the matrix based upon the importance to a given organization. The Zachman Framework can be used to set standards and is also easy to use with other tools and methodologies. TOGAF offers flexibility and is easily adaptable for any organization. ItShow MoreRelatedEa Enables Essay1355 Words   |  6 PagesEnterprise Architecture Enables Processes Paper Introduction Enterprise Architecture is defined as the representation of all the components, processes and policies of an organization. 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