@Bobby9 In Africa and they are not always Muslim either. And when you talk about the US, just because they are a bit older don't make it ok.

@Bobby9 In the US to get married it varies from state to state, but one can get married with parental consent from the time one is 16. If younger a consent from a judge will do the trick. You don't have control in what is happening in the US either, no matter what the population wants, they law makers (politicians) do what they want.

@Bobby9 You know when you are very young you can easily be “forced “ or coerced into a lot of things. Yes people do elect others to represent them but how often do those representatives actually do what they promised.

I never said that I was a credible reply. Just curious, are you a credible reporter?

@RobertMartin. I try to be.

That is not so, just like religions are not the same.

@Jolanta It is so.. How many episodes of Cults (https://www.parcast.com/cults) have you listened to..? I’ve listened to most. Cults are identical to Religions, and all ‘mainstream religions’ were once the ‘size’ of cults.

@Varn No need to be snarky, Mr. "I Listen To A Podcast." Cults and may have the same basic structure or even hierarchy, but they are absolutely not the same. Silly statement, no matter how many disappointment-audiobooks you listen to.

@maturin1919 surely you could not mean innocent ol me.

@maturin1919

@Xuande I think the post following your attempt at snark sums up your attitude

After many a well done episode from the link (automatically snipped to the point of not working) to the podcast series, ‘Cults,’ it became clear. A book should be written.. as there is no significant difference between what are considered cults, and longer lasting mainstream religions.

@Varn Aside from the obvious differences between many a cult and religion, there are also many basic differences that make this silly notion so fatally flawed.

Cults are often isolated, requiring secrecy or outright separation from family and friends. Many require cohabitation. Cults are typically totalitarian, with a single (earthly) leader who is above question, even of there is a God in this cult. The dogma is often in flux (not just interpreted differently). Religions are naturally wider than cults. And on and on and on ...

Sure, they're quite similar, but that's natural. The podcast where you were told what to think on this subject saw a rivulet of water running through dirt and said, "This is basically the same thing as the Mississippi River."

Well, I can see where the people who told you what to think thought, but no.

@Xuande Strange, this is my conclugton, no one tells me what to think. What struck me after many descriptive episodes of the (excellent) podcast Cults was how they so mirrored the largest of religions, with the only significant difference being size. Power & control passed on to children, wives, trusted friends, secondary, even tertiary leaders, or a cadre of ‘elders.’ The presenter’s are quite neutral, often, too much so

Perhaps it’s too large a concept for you to accept, but having paid serious attention to religious behavior for a lifetime now, it finally struck me as such. Sure, to protect established religions, cults are generally described as ‘different.’ But from beginning to end, they’re not.

As mentioned ..a book could be written… But this guy’s busy

@Varn

You, hours ago: "Cults only differ in size… Otherwise, they’re the same."

You, now: " ... with the only significant difference being size. Power & control passed on to children, wives, trusted friends, secondary, even tertiary leaders, or a cadre of ‘elders.’"

Them goalposts, they just keep on moooooovin'. They're the exact same I said! Xuande! This podcast said so! Except for these several differences that directly contradict me, they're the exact same!

@Xuande Apparently, you’ve a problem I can’t solve ~

@Varn see that? This is why you never argue with intent to change anyone's mind.

I showed you how you were wrong using your own words, and when any semblance of any argument leaves you, we're left with whatever that last response was.

Have a great day man. I hope you expand your horizons when it comes to your infotainment.

Check your knowledge about human childbirth. A very unlikely circumstance. More likely some other cause. Be skeptical, not immediately acceptance because it reinforces your biases. Baa baa