Quote Originally Posted by Roogle View Post
The game makes it fairly clear that magic can be used to mind control others across vast distances in space.

Golbez is not an evil individual. Final Fantasy IV: The After Years and the Dissidia Final Fantasy series makes this clear. This question has a parallel in Final Fantasy VIII with Edea and Ultimecia. If you do not hold Edea responsible for her actions, then you should not hold Golbez responsible for his actions.

Regardless, Golbez and Kain understand that there is an inherent weakness within the individual who is being mind controlled, so both of them believe that atonement is necessary.
That was a bit different. Edea was smurfing POSSESSED! And the mind-controlled Golbez used Kain's weak spot as a means to take control of his mind. See, the difference, I believe, lies in that Edea was not herself at the time at all. It was just Ulti in her body. While Kain is still Kain, but with his weakness exaggerated and thanks to that he can take commands from Golbez.