Religion has been defined as:  a cultural system of behaviors and practices, world views, ethics, and societal organization that relate humanity to what an anthropologist has called ‘an order of existence’. Different religions may contain various elements, ranging from divine sacred things, faith, supernatural being(s) or some sort of ultimacy and transcendence that claim to provide norms and power for the rest of life.

Traditionally, faith, in addition to reason, has been considered the source of religious beliefs.  With the onset of modernization and scientific revolution in the western world, certain aspects of religion have been criticized. (Largely those dealing with blind faith.)

There are an estimated 10,000 distinct religions worldwide with 84% of the world’s population affiliated with one of the five largest: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism or forms of folk religion.  The religiously non-affiliated , including atheists and agnostics , has grown to about 16% of the world’s population.

The Pugh Institute estimates that, in the USA, there are 313 separate religions.

What is a cult?

A cult is a relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister.

One could argue that cultists Jim Jones and Charles Manson were followers of a religion (of sorts).  Jones called his People’s Temple a religion. Others described it as a cult.  Whatever,  918 believers died in Guyana zealously following a nutty leader.

Likewise, the Manson Family Commune was responsible for nine murders in the pursuit of racial and ethnic cleansing.

So, when does a religion become a dangerous cult?  I submit it cannot be judged by the number of adherents. Its actions are far more telling.

Maybe I’m alone in this thinking, but anyone who chops off hands and heads in retaliation for minor offences against teachings from 2000 years ago are members of a dangerous cult – not a worthy religion.

23% of the world population identifies as Muslim (1.6 billion of 7.1 billon)

Today, 1.0% of the U.S. population identifies as Muslim (3.3 million of 330 million) The Pugh Research Institute estimates that by 2050 (unless halted by U.S. Immigration laws) Muslims will be the largest religious group in America. If that doesn’t scare you – nothing will.  Not Climate Change. Not Zika virus or the virus du jour of 2050.

Sharia, or Islamic law,  is the religious/legal system governing all members of the Islamic faith. It is derived from the religious precepts of Islam, particularly the Quran and the Hadith. The term sharia comes from the Arabic language term sharīʿah, which means a body of moral and religious law derived from religious prophecy, as opposed to human legislation.  This is counter to all U.S. law where church and state are separate. Think about the Supreme Leader of Iran or the king of Saudi Arabia telling you how to live.

Muslims are bound to live by Sharia law and to foreswear allegiance to any other legal institution, including U.S. law.  This alone should disqualify them from obtaining citizenship through naturalization, as did Omar Mateen’s father. Our Oath of Allegiance for Muslims entering the country and becoming citizens should require/mandate they relinquish their ties to Sharia Law and to abide by all U.S. laws.  Absent that – no entry.

Make no mistake! The horrific events of Ft. Hood, San Bernardino and Orlando were hate crimes driven by a fundamental belief in Muslim law. We cannot allow this flawed thinking to overtake the country and telepath us back to the dark ages.  Make your voice heard.

You are welcome.

For more, go to:  http://www.jameshpyle.com