Boulderbabe, this seems to be a hot topic for you...but I do resent my post (or me) being called a bigot and intolerant.
I stand by my belief that this group is a cult. That is not being intolerant. Choosing not to accept them into our school's PTA club because of who they are, would be intolerant. and that's just not the case.
Wikipedia describes a cult as follows: (there's more, but I kept it short)
A societal organization that includes the totalitarian thought-reform and life-control techniques scientifically reported as characteristics of a cult (without consideration of beneficial or harmful member outcomes).[3]
A group whose first characteristic was nominally Christian, but not fully based on Christian fundamental beliefs, would be a cult as defined by the Christian counter-cult movement. But if a group is genuinely based on the Christian fundamental beliefs, it would be a sect (in North American English) or a mainstream denomination rather than a cult — unless it was also organized to practice thought-reform techniques.
A group whose second characteristic was organization for thought-reform ("mind control"), would be a cult as defined by the psychological anti-cult movement. By this definition it would be a cult no matter what its religious beliefs (fundamental Christian, nominal Christian, or non-Christian). While thought-reform techniques can be used for the benefit of members (see Cult), the anti-cult movement further believes that some to most mind control cults have psychologically harmful effects on long-term member outcomes
It sounds like you know some people who are flds. and to some point, we all agree on things.
BUT, just because a community is living a Godly quiet life, not bothering anyone else doesn't mean they aren't subject to a investigation for child abuse.
I am on the side of the law and they obviously know more than we do and have probable cause for removing the children. It's just a huge undertaking to take all 450+ kids from a community (compound).
is CPS doing it all right.....probably not, but most likely the best they can do.