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I think Steven Hassan was on Fox News the other night. I can't remember if he was on O'Reilly or Hannity and that other guy. (Actually Colmes has been acting very much like a conservative during this whole 911 thing and I've enjoyed watching them both work together in support of our country these last few months.)

I was busy baking Christmas cookies and didn't hear the whole interview. But, it did sound like he has had a lot of success helping families regain their children from the clutches of various cults.

Well, like mvpel said, we have to decide, then, whether we are going to regard Islam as a cult. After all, the Taliban is not that tiny, and was recognized by two other countries. Moreover, Muslims all over the world are cheering Al Qa'eda. If fundamentalist Islam is a cult, it's a damned big one. Where does one draw the line between a religion and a cult? And who draws it?

I do disagree with several points Hassan makes in this article.

Walker was an educated young American. He dropped out of high school at 16 and converted to Islam. I'd hardly call a high school drop-out educated.

Hassan calls Walker's family loving and prosperous. Prosperous maybe, perhaps even loving. But, definitely missguided. I heard a report where his mother encouraged her son to experiment with different religions. A news program showed the California community where Walker grew up (after leaving the D.C. area). This community had a mosque, a Budhist temple, a group where witches worship, etc. Walker was encouraged by both his family and the community to try on different religions and see what fit.

Hassan may compare his experience in the Moonies with Walker's in the Taliban, but the author never took up arms against his country. Anyone who takes up arms against his country is a traitor and should go on trial for treason.(that's a period)