Religious cult uses ‘God’s will’ to ignore right to human life

(UWIRE) — There is a definite and defensible line between religion and delusion.

Recently in Baltimore, a woman pled guilty to starving her 1-year-old child to death because he did not say “amen” after breakfast. Ria Ramkissoon was a member of the cult One Mind Ministries.

One Mind Ministries, led by Queen Antoinette, claims to find authority for its unique beliefs in the Bible. Queen Antoinette is the group’s exclusive communicator to God. New members are required to live in the cult’s house in Baltimore, to get rid of cell phones and to eliminate any contact with family.

Ramkissoon only pled guilty under the condition that the charges would be dropped if her son was resurrected. This “Resurrection Clause” added to Ramkissoon’s sentence is a ridiculous legal act.

Granted, the judge most likely went along with this contingency because it’s not going to happen. However, the simple act of agreeing to such outlandish terms is equivalent to giving legitimacy to what this cult has done.

This group has trampled over human rights, especially those of a defenseless child, who never chose to be part of Queen Antoinette’s chain of evil.

This nation and its judicial system must differentiate between a religion with devout adherents and a cult with delusional followers. Merriam-Webster defines a cult as an extremist religion or sect where followers often live outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader. Much like One Mind Ministry, a cult can hold extreme beliefs that contradict basic human rights to life and freedom.

Our culture will quickly crumble if such cults are recognized as legitimate. On the basis of defining moral right and wrong alone, these sorts of religious followings should not be legitimized in court. The conscious decision to murder is wrong. Period. No matter if it’s done under the name of jealously, God or Queen Antoinette.

A religious sect that does not recognize or protect the right to human life — and all basic human rights for that matter, individualism included — cannot be supported.

Religions are defined by groups of people that adhere to the same belief system and even similar lifestyles that stem from these sets of beliefs, but any religious sect that would willingly defy an individual’s most basic human rights and freedoms is a cult and is doing more harm to society than good.

Only a cult would drive its members to the extreme of killing a child under the guise of it being “God’s will.” This is not consistent with the Bible’s description of a God who created human life “in his own image.” Reports like that of One Mind Ministries are what attorney Chuck Colson calls “cautionary tales.” To allow any provision for this cult in court is contradictory to the very morals on which this nation stands. Such a “Resurrection Clause” should be buried behind us, and stay there.