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Top 10 Infamous Religious Controversies


throughout history religion and drama

throughout history religion and drama have gone hand in hand welcome to

have gone hand in hand welcome to

have gone hand in hand welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 religious

down our picks for the top 10 religious

down our picks for the top 10 religious controversies for this list we’re

controversies for this list we’re

controversies for this list we’re focusing on specific historical events

focusing on specific historical events

focusing on specific historical events and religious concepts that have left

and religious concepts that have left

and religious concepts that have left people confused disturbed and even

people confused disturbed and even

people confused disturbed and even fearful number 10 Scientology

fearful number 10 Scientology

fearful number 10 Scientology formed by author l ron Hubbard in 1954

formed by author l ron Hubbard in 1954

formed by author l ron Hubbard in 1954 this new religious movement has long

this new religious movement has long

this new religious movement has long been cloaked in mystery

been cloaked in mystery

been cloaked in mystery while celebrities like Tom Cruise have

while celebrities like Tom Cruise have

while celebrities like Tom Cruise have discussed practices and techniques of

discussed practices and techniques of

discussed practices and techniques of Scientology throughout the digital age

Scientology throughout the digital age

Scientology throughout the digital age original controversy surrounding the

original controversy surrounding the

original controversy surrounding the body of beliefs and practices centered

body of beliefs and practices centered

body of beliefs and practices centered on the overt criminal behavior of

on the overt criminal behavior of

on the overt criminal behavior of members in the 1970s the Church of

members in the 1970s the Church of

members in the 1970s the Church of Scientology began operation snow-white

Scientology began operation snow-white

Scientology began operation snow-white an espionage project set on purging

an espionage project set on purging

an espionage project set on purging records and information that gave

records and information that gave

records and information that gave negative impressions of the group

negative impressions of the group

negative impressions of the group additional skepticism toward Scientology

additional skepticism toward Scientology

additional skepticism toward Scientology has emerged through its seemingly

has emerged through its seemingly

has emerged through its seemingly perpetual harassment of those who oppose

perpetual harassment of those who oppose

perpetual harassment of those who oppose the church and what appears to be forced

the church and what appears to be forced

the church and what appears to be forced behavior upon members as well as its on

behavior upon members as well as its on

behavior upon members as well as its on and off status as a tax-exempt religious

and off status as a tax-exempt religious

and off status as a tax-exempt religious organization do you sleep about an hour

organization do you sleep about an hour

organization do you sleep about an hour two hours a night you were in such a

two hours a night you were in such a

two hours a night you were in such a mental state that you’re very controlled

mental state that you’re very controlled

mental state that you’re very controlled were very suggestible in 2015 Alex

were very suggestible in 2015 Alex

were very suggestible in 2015 Alex Gibney’s HBO documentary going clear

Gibney’s HBO documentary going clear

Gibney’s HBO documentary going clear offered a closer look at Scientology and

offered a closer look at Scientology and

offered a closer look at Scientology and the consequences for those who choose to

the consequences for those who choose to

the consequences for those who choose to separate themselves from the religion I

separate themselves from the religion I

separate themselves from the religion I remember one time

remember one time

remember one time Mike had done something or not done

Mike had done something or not done

Mike had done something or not done something I don’t remember and I was

something I don’t remember and I was

something I don’t remember and I was supposed to go beat him up number 9 the

supposed to go beat him up number 9 the

supposed to go beat him up number 9 the Mountain Meadows Massacre by September

Mountain Meadows Massacre by September

Mountain Meadows Massacre by September 1857

1857

1857 the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day

the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day

the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints was experiencing a serious

saints was experiencing a serious

saints was experiencing a serious Reformation with hysteria over the Utah

Reformation with hysteria over the Utah

Reformation with hysteria over the Utah war creating paranoia among the Mormon

war creating paranoia among the Mormon

war creating paranoia among the Mormon community and the death of notable

community and the death of notable

community and the death of notable leaders the stage was set for

leaders the stage was set for

leaders the stage was set for confrontation with perceived enemies

confrontation with perceived enemies

confrontation with perceived enemies when a party of emigrants from Arkansas

when a party of emigrants from Arkansas

when a party of emigrants from Arkansas arrived in southern Utah Mountain

arrived in southern Utah Mountain

arrived in southern Utah Mountain Meadows would become their final resting

Meadows would become their final resting

Meadows would become their final resting place convinced that a group of the

place convinced that a group of the

place convinced that a group of the settlers was responsible for the Haun’s

settlers was responsible for the Haun’s

settlers was responsible for the Haun’s mill Massacre in which at least 17

mill Massacre in which at least 17

mill Massacre in which at least 17 Mormons were killed

Mormons were killed

Mormons were killed and that they plan to eliminate the

and that they plan to eliminate the

and that they plan to eliminate the Mormon people at large the Utah

Mormon people at large the Utah

Mormon people at large the Utah territorial militia launched an attack

territorial militia launched an attack

territorial militia launched an attack five days in under the guise of a truce

five days in under the guise of a truce

five days in under the guise of a truce and intending to leave no witnesses John

and intending to leave no witnesses John

and intending to leave no witnesses John Diehl II approached the remaining

Diehl II approached the remaining

Diehl II approached the remaining emigrants and led them men women and

emigrants and led them men women and

emigrants and led them men women and children over seven into an ambush in

children over seven into an ambush in

children over seven into an ambush in all as many as 140 people were killed

all as many as 140 people were killed

all as many as 140 people were killed with only a few young children surviving

with only a few young children surviving

with only a few young children surviving number 8 the Church of the Flying

number 8 the Church of the Flying

number 8 the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster by rejecting the more

Spaghetti Monster by rejecting the more

Spaghetti Monster by rejecting the more previously accepted norms of creationism

previously accepted norms of creationism

previously accepted norms of creationism the Church of the Flying Spaghetti

the Church of the Flying Spaghetti

the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster has their own unique perspective

Monster has their own unique perspective

Monster has their own unique perspective taking over the Internet in 2005 the

taking over the Internet in 2005 the

taking over the Internet in 2005 the movement highlights the idea that an

movement highlights the idea that an

movement highlights the idea that an origin story involving a Flying

origin story involving a Flying

origin story involving a Flying Spaghetti Monster cannot be debunked

Spaghetti Monster cannot be debunked

Spaghetti Monster cannot be debunked much like the concept of God central to

much like the concept of God central to

much like the concept of God central to Christianity well what if I told you

Christianity well what if I told you

Christianity well what if I told you there was a Flying Spaghetti Monster

there was a Flying Spaghetti Monster

there was a Flying Spaghetti Monster would you believe it simply because it

would you believe it simply because it

would you believe it simply because it can’t be disproven unsurprisingly this

can’t be disproven unsurprisingly this

can’t be disproven unsurprisingly this fundamental ideology has often rubbed

fundamental ideology has often rubbed

fundamental ideology has often rubbed people the wrong way the satirical

people the wrong way the satirical

people the wrong way the satirical religion originally came about to

religion originally came about to

religion originally came about to protest the teaching of intelligent

protest the teaching of intelligent

protest the teaching of intelligent design over evolution in American public

design over evolution in American public

design over evolution in American public schools while in theory revolutionising

schools while in theory revolutionising

schools while in theory revolutionising how schools and people of free will

how schools and people of free will

how schools and people of free will approach the concept of organized

approach the concept of organized

approach the concept of organized religion creator Bobby Henderson was

religion creator Bobby Henderson was

religion creator Bobby Henderson was only 24 years old when his church was

only 24 years old when his church was

only 24 years old when his church was founded and the satirical ideals are

founded and the satirical ideals are

founded and the satirical ideals are meant to distinguish between faith and

meant to distinguish between faith and

meant to distinguish between faith and actual science hey professor I’m a

actual science hey professor I’m a

actual science hey professor I’m a Flying Spaghetti Monster you seriously

Flying Spaghetti Monster you seriously

Flying Spaghetti Monster you seriously believe I’m descended for some kind of

believe I’m descended for some kind of

believe I’m descended for some kind of flightless manicotti yes oh please

flightless manicotti yes oh please

flightless manicotti yes oh please number seven Islam the religion of peace

number seven Islam the religion of peace

number seven Islam the religion of peace the great divine what is not between or

the great divine what is not between or

the great divine what is not between or Islam and the rest

Islam and the rest

Islam and the rest it’s rather between the fundamentalists

it’s rather between the fundamentalists

it’s rather between the fundamentalists in the moderate in each faith the

in the moderate in each faith the

in the moderate in each faith the history of Islam is vast and expansive

history of Islam is vast and expansive

history of Islam is vast and expansive but 21st century terrorism has shone a

but 21st century terrorism has shone a

but 21st century terrorism has shone a light on fanatics that stray from

light on fanatics that stray from

light on fanatics that stray from peaceful ideals more than twenty years

peaceful ideals more than twenty years

peaceful ideals more than twenty years before the twin towers were destroyed

before the twin towers were destroyed

before the twin towers were destroyed the term Islamic fundamentalism spread

the term Islamic fundamentalism spread

the term Islamic fundamentalism spread across the globe

across the globe

across the globe most notably by way of the 1979 Iranian

most notably by way of the 1979 Iranian

most notably by way of the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the subsequent hostage

Revolution and the subsequent hostage

Revolution and the subsequent hostage crisis and despite the amount of

crisis and despite the amount of

crisis and despite the amount of peaceful Muslims across the world

peaceful Muslims across the world

peaceful Muslims across the world it’s the jihadist hijackers and other

it’s the jihadist hijackers and other

it’s the jihadist hijackers and other extremists that

extremists that

extremists that seemingly established a new normal thus

seemingly established a new normal thus

seemingly established a new normal thus leading many rightly or wrongly to

leading many rightly or wrongly to

leading many rightly or wrongly to question the religion the conversation

question the religion the conversation

question the religion the conversation continues in society as the core ideas

continues in society as the core ideas

continues in society as the core ideas of Islam are interpreted in different

of Islam are interpreted in different

of Islam are interpreted in different ways leading some to peace and others to

ways leading some to peace and others to

ways leading some to peace and others to violence how about more than a billion

violence how about more than a billion

violence how about more than a billion people those are no statical who don’t

people those are no statical who don’t

people those are no statical who don’t want to go to stores number six the end

want to go to stores number six the end

want to go to stores number six the end of the world according to jehovah’s

of the world according to jehovah’s

of the world according to jehovah’s witnesses established in 1870s America

witnesses established in 1870s America

witnesses established in 1870s America Jehovah’s Witnesses have become known

Jehovah’s Witnesses have become known

Jehovah’s Witnesses have become known for their unannounced visits throughout

for their unannounced visits throughout

for their unannounced visits throughout the neighborhood and handing out

the neighborhood and handing out

the neighborhood and handing out pamphlets Jehovah’s Witness know there

pamphlets Jehovah’s Witness know there

pamphlets Jehovah’s Witness know there are approximately eight million members

are approximately eight million members

are approximately eight million members throughout the world but what troubles

throughout the world but what troubles

throughout the world but what troubles outsiders is that the religions

outsiders is that the religions

outsiders is that the religions governing body opposes independent

governing body opposes independent

governing body opposes independent thinking and discourages from individual

thinking and discourages from individual

thinking and discourages from individual Bible study more worrisome however is

Bible study more worrisome however is

Bible study more worrisome however is the religions anticipation of Armageddon

the religions anticipation of Armageddon

the religions anticipation of Armageddon a state of readiness that creates

a state of readiness that creates

a state of readiness that creates endless controversy it’s everyday you go

endless controversy it’s everyday you go

endless controversy it’s everyday you go to bed at like 5:00 and if the Sun sets

to bed at like 5:00 and if the Sun sets

to bed at like 5:00 and if the Sun sets really red you’re like is this the day

really red you’re like is this the day

really red you’re like is this the day false predictions in 1914 1925 and 1975

false predictions in 1914 1925 and 1975

false predictions in 1914 1925 and 1975 have led to revisions of doctrines and

have led to revisions of doctrines and

have led to revisions of doctrines and even new interpretations of the Bible

even new interpretations of the Bible

even new interpretations of the Bible number five met zetsubou pay in the

number five met zetsubou pay in the

number five met zetsubou pay in the Jewish faith the circumcision ritual is

Jewish faith the circumcision ritual is

Jewish faith the circumcision ritual is known as breat Mila while the removal of

known as breat Mila while the removal of

known as breat Mila while the removal of the foreskin is called madessa but

the foreskin is called madessa but

the foreskin is called madessa but there’s another step that is sometimes

there’s another step that is sometimes

there’s another step that is sometimes still performed as well a more

still performed as well a more

still performed as well a more controversial method that involves the

controversial method that involves the

controversial method that involves the oral suction of a wound by a moil or

oral suction of a wound by a moil or

oral suction of a wound by a moil or circumciser

circumciser

circumciser of course one of the main problems with

of course one of the main problems with

of course one of the main problems with such an ancient practice is the physical

such an ancient practice is the physical

such an ancient practice is the physical transfer of modern disease in 2005 three

transfer of modern disease in 2005 three

transfer of modern disease in 2005 three New York babies acquired herpes

New York babies acquired herpes

New York babies acquired herpes reportedly through the ritual of meds

reportedly through the ritual of meds

reportedly through the ritual of meds itza poppy one specific procedure that’s

itza poppy one specific procedure that’s

itza poppy one specific procedure that’s performed as part of some circumcisions

performed as part of some circumcisions

performed as part of some circumcisions what we’re calling direct oral suction

what we’re calling direct oral suction

what we’re calling direct oral suction can be transmitting infections to

can be transmitting infections to

can be transmitting infections to infants incidentally new laws and

infants incidentally new laws and

infants incidentally new laws and regulations have emerged in which

regulations have emerged in which

regulations have emerged in which parents must provide consent and some

parents must provide consent and some

parents must provide consent and some have suggested that glass tubes could

have suggested that glass tubes could

have suggested that glass tubes could replace the oral contact you can

replace the oral contact you can

replace the oral contact you can continue this custom by using a sterile

continue this custom by using a sterile

continue this custom by using a sterile tube a gauze pad and the rest of the

tube a gauze pad and the rest of the

tube a gauze pad and the rest of the bris is fine

bris is fine

bris is fine number four more

number four more

number four more and the Book of Abraham in 1835 the

and the Book of Abraham in 1835 the

and the Book of Abraham in 1835 the ancient Egyptian writings of Abraham

ancient Egyptian writings of Abraham

ancient Egyptian writings of Abraham were supposedly discovered by none other

were supposedly discovered by none other

were supposedly discovered by none other than Joseph Smith the founder of

than Joseph Smith the founder of

than Joseph Smith the founder of Mormonism there goes that kooky Joseph

Mormonism there goes that kooky Joseph

Mormonism there goes that kooky Joseph Smith you know he claims he spoke with

Smith you know he claims he spoke with

Smith you know he claims he spoke with God in Jesus well how do you know he did

God in Jesus well how do you know he did

God in Jesus well how do you know he did dum dum dum dum dum Smith may have

dum dum dum dum dum Smith may have

dum dum dum dum dum Smith may have genuinely believed the papyri to be

genuinely believed the papyri to be

genuinely believed the papyri to be authentic but a later examination by

authentic but a later examination by

authentic but a later examination by Egyptologist Thea dueled of area opposed

Egyptologist Thea dueled of area opposed

Egyptologist Thea dueled of area opposed the findings it was originally believed

the findings it was originally believed

the findings it was originally believed that the historical documents were once

that the historical documents were once

that the historical documents were once lost in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871

lost in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871

lost in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 but pieces emerged at New York’s

but pieces emerged at New York’s

but pieces emerged at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1966

Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1966

Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1966 adding additional doubts to Smith’s

adding additional doubts to Smith’s

adding additional doubts to Smith’s claims are numerous subsequent

claims are numerous subsequent

claims are numerous subsequent examinations that proved the so-called

examinations that proved the so-called

examinations that proved the so-called Book of Abraham was actually Egyptian

Book of Abraham was actually Egyptian

Book of Abraham was actually Egyptian funerary documents number three the

funerary documents number three the

funerary documents number three the Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal in

Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal in

Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal in Boston at the outset I apologize once

Boston at the outset I apologize once

Boston at the outset I apologize once again to all those who have been

again to all those who have been

again to all those who have been sexually abused as minors by priests as

sexually abused as minors by priests as

sexually abused as minors by priests as depicted in the 2015 Academy

depicted in the 2015 Academy

depicted in the 2015 Academy award-winning film spotlight in 2002 the

award-winning film spotlight in 2002 the

award-winning film spotlight in 2002 the Boston Globe revealed a sexual abuse

Boston Globe revealed a sexual abuse

Boston Globe revealed a sexual abuse cover-up within the Catholic Church

cover-up within the Catholic Church

cover-up within the Catholic Church which are you telling me that the

which are you telling me that the

which are you telling me that the Catholic Church removed legal documents

Catholic Church removed legal documents

Catholic Church removed legal documents from that courthouse

from that courthouse

from that courthouse sadly the scandal directly connected

sadly the scandal directly connected

sadly the scandal directly connected Roman Catholic priests to the systematic

Roman Catholic priests to the systematic

Roman Catholic priests to the systematic abuse of young children but the

abuse of young children but the

abuse of young children but the investigation by the spotlight team

investigation by the spotlight team

investigation by the spotlight team allowed for other victims to come

allowed for other victims to come

allowed for other victims to come forward both within the community of

forward both within the community of

forward both within the community of Boston and beyond

Boston and beyond

Boston and beyond now that globe investigation into court

now that globe investigation into court

now that globe investigation into court documents revealed that the church knew

documents revealed that the church knew

documents revealed that the church knew a great deal about Gagan and his

a great deal about Gagan and his

a great deal about Gagan and his offenses in with payouts reaching 100

offenses in with payouts reaching 100

offenses in with payouts reaching 100 million dollars the financial woes paled

million dollars the financial woes paled

million dollars the financial woes paled in comparison to the damaged reputation

in comparison to the damaged reputation

in comparison to the damaged reputation of the accused and certainly for the

of the accused and certainly for the

of the accused and certainly for the Catholic Church in general but above all

Catholic Church in general but above all

Catholic Church in general but above all the scandal revealed the existence of a

the scandal revealed the existence of a

the scandal revealed the existence of a troubling conspiracy that was organized

troubling conspiracy that was organized

troubling conspiracy that was organized by the people preaching the Word of God

by the people preaching the Word of God

by the people preaching the Word of God number two Martin Luther’s on the Jews

number two Martin Luther’s on the Jews

number two Martin Luther’s on the Jews and their lies

and their lies

and their lies in 1543 a notable man of God published a

in 1543 a notable man of God published a

in 1543 a notable man of God published a 65,000 word document in the name of

65,000 word document in the name of

65,000 word document in the name of anti-semitism his name was Martin Luther

anti-semitism his name was Martin Luther

anti-semitism his name was Martin Luther a

a

a you’re head of the Protestant

you’re head of the Protestant

you’re head of the Protestant Reformation at first

Reformation at first

Reformation at first Luther tried to convert Jews to

Luther tried to convert Jews to

Luther tried to convert Jews to Christianity as his steadfast view was

Christianity as his steadfast view was

Christianity as his steadfast view was that Jesus who was born a Jew was in

that Jesus who was born a Jew was in

that Jesus who was born a Jew was in fact the son of God but the German

fact the son of God but the German

fact the son of God but the German failed to sway faithful Jews which led

failed to sway faithful Jews which led

failed to sway faithful Jews which led him to write something called on the

him to write something called on the

him to write something called on the Jews and their lives within three years

Jews and their lives within three years

Jews and their lives within three years Luther was dead but approximately 400

Luther was dead but approximately 400

Luther was dead but approximately 400 years later the Third Reich openly

years later the Third Reich openly

years later the Third Reich openly embraced his ideologies which influenced

embraced his ideologies which influenced

embraced his ideologies which influenced the systematic execution of millions of

the systematic execution of millions of

the systematic execution of millions of Jews number one the Inquisition in the

Jews number one the Inquisition in the

Jews number one the Inquisition in the 12th century it was not okay to oppose

12th century it was not okay to oppose

12th century it was not okay to oppose the Catholic Church this became evident

the Catholic Church this became evident

the Catholic Church this became evident with the emergence of the medieval

with the emergence of the medieval

with the emergence of the medieval Inquisition originally led by the

Inquisition originally led by the

Inquisition originally led by the Dominican Order torture and executions

Dominican Order torture and executions

Dominican Order torture and executions became commonplace to diminish

became commonplace to diminish

became commonplace to diminish opposition which were a most violent

opposition which were a most violent

opposition which were a most violent turn from the usual jail sentence of

turn from the usual jail sentence of

turn from the usual jail sentence of years past these events preceded

years past these events preceded

years past these events preceded large-scale grand inquisitions along

large-scale grand inquisitions along

large-scale grand inquisitions along with the witch trials of the Renaissance

with the witch trials of the Renaissance

with the witch trials of the Renaissance era and beyond in retrospect it doesn’t

era and beyond in retrospect it doesn’t

era and beyond in retrospect it doesn’t seem far-fetched to think that the

seem far-fetched to think that the

seem far-fetched to think that the original Inquisition set the precedent

original Inquisition set the precedent

original Inquisition set the precedent for the Catholic Church to use violent

for the Catholic Church to use violent

for the Catholic Church to use violent force to manipulate free-thinking Minds

force to manipulate free-thinking Minds

force to manipulate free-thinking Minds leading to the trials of Galileo and

leading to the trials of Galileo and

leading to the trials of Galileo and Joan of Arc as well as centuries upon

Joan of Arc as well as centuries upon

Joan of Arc as well as centuries upon centuries of death in the name of a

centuries of death in the name of a

centuries of death in the name of a higher being do you agree with our list

higher being do you agree with our list

higher being do you agree with our list what do you think is the biggest

what do you think is the biggest

what do you think is the biggest religious controversy for more

religious controversy for more

religious controversy for more thought-provoking top 10s published

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your personality test and then let you know some things about Scientology good

know some things about Scientology good

know some things about Scientology good times good times

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