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Bill: Harmful Cult Persecution Act
Details
Submitted by[?]: Solentian Secular Realist Party
Status[?]: passed
Votes: This is an ordinary bill. It requires more yes votes than no votes. This bill will not pass any sooner than the deadline.
Voting deadline: June 4325
Description[?]:
| Extreme religious cults are harmful to society, harm individuals, destroy families, inhibit innovation and scientific progress, promote crime and immoral values, and are a great detriment to the psychological, and sometimes physical, health of our constituents. Cults always have the potential to develop terrorism and other atrocities. Recognized religions will be inclusive but not limited to those listed here: http://particracy.wikia.com/wiki/Illustrated_Catalogue_of_Religion (for the sake of not having to relist them all within this text). The intent of this Bill is not to selectively persecute religions. As a group, Cults shall be afforded due process of law, judged objectively by the Judicial system, and require real evidence of harm and Cultish behavior. There are quantifiable differences between Cults and Religions, and only the gullible or ill-informed could mistake the two. Cults generally meet some or all of the following criteria: -Single unquestioned leader ... who makes all the rules with no accountability -Cohabitation ... Members often live in a group or commune with or without their leader -Isolation ... Members are often required to separate from their friends and families and are often not allowed to socialize or interact with outsiders -Coercion ... Classic brainwashing techniques are utilized in recruitment -Repitition ... Members are told what to believe on a daily basis, generally, and items that distinguish the cult are repeated endlessly -Exclusiveness ... Only 'select' members reach the ultimate goal as incentive to stay and be more dedicated -Bread Trails ... Dogma is not given all at once, small pieces are given at a time and gaining more knowledge requires greater commitment -Alienation ... Encouragement to be intolerant of others; an 'us versus them' attitude -Seclusion ... Members are often not allowed to leave the cult or even the compound. Temporary excursions are done in pairs or groups with trusted members -Totalitarian ... Cults demand significantly more time and money from their members and may even ask for their life savings in exchange for progress. Cults demand their members give everything about themselves to the organization -Secretive ... No one but the leader or perhaps trusted members are aware of where the money goes. Secrecy about the leadership and the workings are also commonplace. Solentia will not tolerate cults within its borders. |
Proposals
Article 1
Proposal[?] to change Government policy concerning religions.
Old value:: There is no government policy concerning a state religion.
Current: There is an official state religion, but membership is completely voluntary.
Proposed: There is no official state religion, but the government only allows recognized religions. 'Cults' are persecuted.
Debate
These messages have been posted to debate on this bill:
| Date | 00:59:38, December 28, 2017 CET | From | Willemburgist Party of Solentia (WPS) | To | Debating the Harmful Cult Persecution Act |
| Message | We are uncertain regarding our stance on this proposal. Being a secular party ourselves, we understand and appreciate the threat posed by cults. However, we feel this bill allows the state to pick and choose which religions are valid and could potentially give it the authority to persecute any religion it chooses simply by deeming it a "cult". |
| Date | 05:58:44, December 28, 2017 CET | From | Solentian Secular Realist Party | To | Debating the Harmful Cult Persecution Act |
| Message | We understand and agree with your concerns. We have updated the Bill in an attempt to address them. Please let us know if there are any further concerns. We will allow this Bill to stay in debate status for a while longer before bringing to a vote. |
| Date | 19:40:44, December 28, 2017 CET | From | Solentian Secular Realist Party | To | Debating the Harmful Cult Persecution Act |
| Message | We have further improved the Bill in an effort to explicitly differentiate between Cults and Religions. |
| Date | 21:28:41, December 28, 2017 CET | From | Willemburgist Party of Solentia (WPS) | To | Debating the Harmful Cult Persecution Act |
| Message | We appreciate your refinement of this bill and believe that, at least for the time being, these are adequate criteria which provide sufficient protection and delineation. We are now prepared to vote Yes. |
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Voting
| Vote | Seats | ||||
| yes |
Total Seats: 354 | ||||
| no | Total Seats: 0 | ||||
| abstain |
Total Seats: 396 |
| Random fact: Bill descriptions must be in English, or at least include a full English translation. Bill titles may appear in a language that is appropriate to the nation and are not required to be translated into English. |
| Random quote: "I'm the motherfucking Premier of Kalistan. It don't get more full time than that!" - Omar Al-Khali, former Kalistani politician |