gerous to our society because they are protected by the constitution to practice their beliefs, while at the same time exempted from paying taxes. While the general public has no authority to say which religion is valid and which is not, cults and other religions should follow all the rules that the government establishes, and not just the rules that they have special rights to. With the Constitution on their side these destructive cults feel that they can escape the laws that everyone must follow. Law enforcement authorities must not be afraid to act when any group, religious or not, stands accused of violating the laws of the land through deception, fraud, coercion, or any other illegal acts (Appel 14).
             Although most cults have the same characteristics, it is those destructive cults whom Americans should fear most. Destructive cults act upon their beliefs through fraud, trickery, and even violence. A destructive cult has a self-appointed charismatic leader who focuses followers' attention upon him or herself, rather than God. Deception and misrepresentation are used for purposes of recruitment, and fund-raising. The initiation or conversion process is very rapid and there is usually no opportunity for the recruit to evaluate anything (Galanter 46). Techniques used to control these individuals are aimed at brainwashing their personality. They are reprogrammed to believe and serve the leader without hesitation.
             Cults are known to use mind control or other cultic techniques of deception to persuade certai
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