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In Reply to: Blaming individuals or the group posted by Porcelein Doll (reposted) on May 13, 2002 at 08:57:32:
Historically, in matters involving cults and mind control, all parties involved in illegal activities have been punished.
There was clear evidence that Charles Manson used sex, drugs and mind control to brainwash his followers into participating in the Tate-LaBianca murders. It is intersting to note, that even though Manson was never proven to participate physically in the murders, he was still convicted of first degree murder. The court recognized Manson's control over his followers, but they did not absolve them of guilt because they were "branwashed". Information on the Manson Family at:
http://www.crimelibrary.com/manson/mansonmain.htm
Likewise, Patty Hearst was kidnapped at gunpoint, raped, beaten, tortured and locked in a closet. Finally, she was told to "join or die". Soon, she participated in an armed bank robbery. She was convicted, and sent to Prison. Later, president Carter pardoned her. There is a very good website at:
http://www.claykeck.com/patty/
These are two famous examples, but there are others. It appears that in terms of legal issues, the courts tend to not buy into the "devil made me do it" defense as it applies to cults. They seem to treat leaders and followers the same way.
