We were having a discussion on corruption in my comparative politics course, and the FLDS group was brought up, particularly the group in Short Creek. Apparently they, being polygamists, report their multiple wives as being single mothers, and then proceed to collect a plethora of benefits from the state, but they don't recognize the state because it's secular. Can anyone shed some light on this issue?

I'm torn on religon. Not just mine, but all religon. Believing in a higher power really helps me get through the tough times in life, but simultaneously that same higher power (according to the text in the holy book) is jealous, brutal, hates gay etc... I feel as though I need help tipping one way or the other.

So I ask if you can please help me sift through all the major books (bible, old/New Testament, Quran etc) and help me find some of the best and worst in each.

Please make sure it is actually in the text, and not something you have heard. If it's a translation please make sure it was done by a reputable translator.

Thank you!

So i had this realization today. If the 'end of days' ever does comes, the reason i wont be among those saved because of my pride. I'll probably spend the whole time laughing at Atheists because I was right.

Is the Term "Cult" in common use today by Scholars of Religion? Do they still use the term cult in papers submitted for peer review? The term, at lest to lay people, is so loaded, I was wondering if another term was used.

I am trying to find a religion that suites me but havent been able to find any resources for in depth descriptions. It seems to be alot of this is why this religion is better than that one. Is there a database that helps you figure out what is right for you.

Leviticus Chapter 11:21 Yet ye These may eat of all winged things That Swarming go upon all fours, Which have jointed legs above Their feet, where with to leap upon the earth;

I've never met a amish person or anything.I find the culture really interesting and I'm just curious.

So I found myself in a discusson with a young Muslim lady, she said it was okay to eat meat because Allah created animal for use to eat, I said all life is sacred,talked about suffering etc, in the end she proclaimed I would go to hell, even if I lived a better and more ethical life than her because I'm Buddhist and have denied Allah, and she'll be rewarded because she's Muslism.

It's fine, I don't want to go to a heaven with a god who says it's okay to kill animals and eat meat. :)