https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/religious-group-known-ar-15-201319202.html?guccounter=1

And what are the odds that one of them will have a breakdown and start on a rampage killing? Not that I want them to do that but it seems to be their MO especially when they have access to guns. I hope nothing happens and someone bans this insanity before it's too late.

The Rod of Iron Ministries, a gun-obsessed religious group, is now reported to have bought a property in Tennessee that will be made into a so-called “training center” for its members.

The Pennsylvania-based church has sporadically appeared in headlines in recent years, including in a 2018 NPR piece highlighting an “armed ceremony” that featured everything from bullet-adorned crowns to AR-15-style rifles being utilized as interpretations of the Holy Bible’s “rod of iron” mention.

A new report from Vice News, out Tuesday, says the newly acquired 130-acre property in Tennessee marks the latest sign that the group is pushing for expansion. Pastor Hyung Jin Sean Moon, the son of the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon, is known for launching an offshoot of the Unification Church following his father’s death. Founded by his father, the Unification Church was known for its implementation of mass wedding ceremonies, a trait that also appears in the Rod of Iron Ministries world albeit with guns.

The original congregation has been met with years of abuse allegations, many of which centered around the original “spiritual retreat” that could soon be emulated in Tennessee. Mentioned in a recent sermon from Moon were plans for the Tennessee site—which Vice News reported was sold for $460,000—to include schools and training centers, as well as separate living cabins for men and women.

The “core values” cited by the Rod of Iron Ministries group on an official website include—among other things—“defending our family, neighbor, and God’s Kingdom through the biblical word of God and self-defense culture” and “mind-body unity through self-defense training.”

[More...]

A cult centered around the fetishization and veneration of semi-automatic weapons as totems for their god. What could possibly go wrong?

The Unification Church, itself already a cult, is even disavowing association with this spin-off.

A spokesperson for the main Unification Church congregation is quoted in Tuesday’s Tess Owen report as saying the Rod of Iron sect doesn’t “represent the legacy of the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon.”

When a notorious cult is saying "woah, we're not with them," you know it can't possibly be good.

The likelihood of something going terribly wrong? 100%. I mean, "disaster waiting to happen" seems like such an insufficient understatement here.

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All of that said, I don't agree with banning it. Freedom of belief, freedom of religion, freedom from religion means that they can believe whatever stupid thing they like, and they're allowed to.

If someone is entitled to believe that their wooden mixing spoon is their Harry Potter/Hogwarts magic wand, we can't say that someone else can't believe that their rifle is their god's "rod of iron".

You can't ban a belief. Firstly, it doesn't work. Which means that it will just go underground and become more attractive to some types of people as "forbidden knowledge." It's better if it remains in the open where people can openly scrutinize, criticize and mock it.

Secondly, it's not illegal to be an idiot or to think stupid things are true.

In order to maintain our freedom of belief, freedom from religion and ensure we do not have others impose their beliefs on us, we must allow them their beliefs, no matter how stupid.

What they do about/with those beliefs, what actions they take, is what we certainly can say something about.

We can insist that they conduct their cult/religion in a manner that is legal. That their guns are legal and registered, people can leave freely if they choose, both adults and children are safe, they are not abused or coerced into sex, they're not planning to overthrow the government, etc, etc.

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As I say, I think it's virtually inevitable that something will go badly here.

But as long as it resides within the boundaries of freedom of belief/religion and they're adhering to the law, there's not much that can or should be done about it.

It's not a perfect system, but it's the best we've got. Just maybe steer clear of that part of Tennessee. Or, you know, the whole state.

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BTW,. for reference:

Psalm 2:7-12

I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Basically, it says that god will give the faithful dominion over the lend and the heathens, who are to be killed and destroyed with the "rod of iron."

Nothing foreboding about that, whatsoever.

Meanwhile...

Judges 1:19

I’m completely all out of empathy for these people. Apparently, this is just what they want. They want to die pointless, avoidable, painful, good Xtian deaths - both themselves and their kids. They don’t value their own lives, they don’t value the lives of their children, everything’s a conspiracy, and they’re ready to see Jesus. What could anyone possibly say to convince them that hasn’t been said a thousand times already?

What a strange person. When a babysitter comes over, they’re supposed to put on movies and TV shows and music that the kids would enjoy, to keep them entertained. It’s never about the babysitter themselves. They’re only there because a responsible human needs to be present. How selfish to make fun time for the kids all about her superstitions.

You might start with simply suggesting you watch or listen to something else, or keep changing the subject and talking about something more your speed.

If that doesn’t work, you might need to be more direct and forceful. If she’s actually your friend, she will understand and agree. You are not unreasonable for expecting to be able to have your own beliefs, and not have hers rammed down your throat. People are free to block or ignore my posts - I don’t come into their houses while they’re eating dinner and point out all the problems in the bible or with their illogical thought process.

If she refuses, I would take it up with your parents (or whoever is in charge of hiring/paying her). It’s no more acceptable for her to be proselytizing to you than if you were to go to her 3 year old brother and tell him that there’s no Santa (or god). But also, she’s not actually doing her job. If you’re uncomfortable about being direct with her first, then maybe just go straight to your parents.

If the friendship ends, it’s because she ended it, because she prioritized preaching over her friendship with you, not because you ended it. No different or more rational than ending your friendship because you don’t want to watch another movie where Tom Cruise spends the whole thing running around with his weird running style, when she does. And it probably indicates she was not really your friend in the first place.

Like, white people kinda werent a thing in the middle east