I touched upon this some were in a previous article I done it’s a serious question that deserves to have some serious thought – What is the
difference between past religious gods/deities/figures to today’s religious fanatics? Now don’t flame me just yet
. Now explination of fanatic
and cult:
The word cult pejoratively refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre.[1] The word originally denoted a
system of ritual practices. The narrower, derogatory sense of the word is a product of the 20th century, especially since the 1980s, and is considered
subjective. It is also a result of the anti-cult movement which uses the word in reference to groups seen as authoritarian, exploitative and that are
believed to use dangerous rituals or mind control. The word implies a group which is a minority in a given society. The word was first used in the
early 17th century denoting homage paid to a divinity and derived from French culte or Latin cultus ‘worship,’ from cult- ‘inhabited,
cultivated, worshiped,’ from the verb colere 'care, cultivation'.[citation needed]
The popular, derogatory sense of the word has no currency in academic studies of religions, where "cults" are subsumed under the neutral label of
the "new religious movement", while academic sociology has partly adopted the popular meaning of the word.[2][3][4]
source
Pretty straight forward yes?
Religious fanaticism is fanaticism related to a person's, or a group's, devotion to a religion.
Ok pretty straight forward right? Hmm no its not actually if you think about it, as its all down to perception of the culture/people
religious fanaticism is a subjective evaluation defined by the culture context that is performing the evaluation. What constitutes fanaticism in
another's behavior or belief is determined by the core assumptions of the one doing the evaluation. As such, there is currently no constant academic
standard for what defines a fanatical religious position. As with any fanaticism (e.g. militantism, and anti-superstitious), it has the danger to be
bigoted, rely largely on sweeping statements (in some cases entirely) and generalisations often twisting what its opponents are actually saying (or
the meaning) to what the speaker wishes their oponent had actually said/ meant. Often the arguments come accross as bigoted, completely unwilling and
unable to fully take on an opponents point at any stage, just like their religious extreemist counterparts, whom they openly dispise (although they
are often assertions and not arguments, again just like many religious fanatics) and will actively demonise those they opponents.
source
Now lets take a look at who the major religious leaders of the world were/are.
Henry and Dana Thomas Great Religious Leaders List
Jesus Christianity
Moses Jewish prophet
Isaiah Jewish prophet
Zoroaster founder of Zoroastrianism
Buddha founder of Buddhism
Confucius founder of Confucianism
John the Baptist prophet and contemporary of Jesus Christ
St. Paul Christianity
Mohammed Prophet of Islam
St. Francis of Assisi early Christian theologian
John Huss Bohemian Christian reformer; founder of Czech Hussites
Martin Luther primary founder of Protestantism
Loyola theologian and founder of Jesuits
Calvin founder of Calvinist branch of Protestantism
George Fox founder of Quakers
John Wesley founder of Methodist movement
Swedenborg founder of Swedenborgianism
Brigham Young 2nd prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Mary Baker Eddy founder of Christian Science
Gandhi Hindu reformer and Indian political leader; mother was a Jain
Greatest Historical Religious Figures
(Listed chronologically)
Abraham
Moses
Lao-tzu
Buddha
Confucius
Jesus Christ
Apostle Paul
Saint Augustine
Muhammad
Thomas Aquinas
Martin Luther
John Calvin
Joseph Smith
Gandhi
Other categories in the DeVore/Linford Series are: Explorers, Scientists, Inventors, Writers, Painters, Composers, and Leaders.
Greatest Historical Religious Figures (Bill Yenne)
(Listed chronologically)
Moses
Lao Tsu
Buddha
Confucius
Jesus Christ
St. Paul
St. Augustine
Mohammed
St. Thomas Aquinas
Martin Luther
Gandhi
source
Now the serious question we have though is that could we compare the likes of jesus, buddah, Muhammad to todays fanatics/cults such as David Koresh
(branch davidiands), L Ron Hubbard(scientology), to name just 2, there are many many more. Were they really all that different? Now before I get
replys about the differences of the teachings or how this person was bad and that person, that’s not what I am getting at, could those past
religious founders/leaders be compared to todays cult leaders?
Take a look at this article I found
How could an eminent esoteric teacher such as Jesus, with such an important spiritual message, have been so persecuted and hated by society in
his time? Would he still be today? Are there other people teaching this same message who are also now persecuted, and why?
This article will delve headlong into answering these questions, by looking at how Jesus might be viewed by our modern society using its method of
critiquing minority spiritual groups—the criteria for labeling a “cult”—with some startling results…
Intresting take on it
Society in the times of Jesus, today, nor ever, has provided the means for spiritual awakening to people. Jesus came as he said, from out of this
world, from outside of society to bring enlightenment to it. But society as a whole rejected him and what he taught—it was only a few individuals
from within it that really followed Jesus, back with him to his kingdom of heaven.
This same scenario has repeated throughout history, wherever and whenever people have wished to reach enlightenment. Esoteric teachers and truths
have come into society to help those within it, only to be chased and hunted out.
The above kind of explains what I was asking earlier
It’s not hard to imagine Jesus coming to teach his message again today and thus facing the same persecution: instead the cries of
“blasphemer” replaced with the modern equivalent—“cult leader,” and the disciples and those who followed him—a “cult”.
It is true though wouldn’t you say not only in the case of jesus, but in the cases of all the revered gods/deities/people of the past . as
awake_and_aware stated in a previous thread how would we react now a days and I belive the above article had it spot on
More
Here is an overview of what makes a “cult” to give the general idea of what a cult watcher might be looking for in Jesus:
“Singer stresses that all cults are based firstly on a thought reform program. Such programs aim to dilute people’s individuality, change their
core belief systems and alter their concept of themselves. This is done by imposing a “totalistic ideology” which “explains everything” Such
groups will say they are “THE WAY”, the “ONLY WAY” be it in religion, science, self-help, psychotherapy or politics. Lifton points out that
“included in this mystique is a sense of ‘higher purpose’, of ‘having directly perceived some imminent law of social development’, of being
themselves the vanguard of this development.” Consequently, all other groups are charlatans, shams, impostors, degenerate, etc. Normally they have
authoritarian leaders and lieutenants at all levels and/or they venerate the works of dead leaders to justify their totalistic ideology and actions.
Not choosing the group’s Way will usually lead to humiliation, damnation or death.”
Notice that the overview above focuses on what Jesus taught but puts it in a distorted and negative way.
I suggest reading the article in full
source
So what is the true difference between todays cults and the teachings of buddah, jesus, Confucius ,Gandhi? Take the catholic church is that not deemed
to be fanatical and cult llike? Because in a way, all religions can be put in either or both categories. Cult, a group of people following one leader
in to a "sect" of say, a religion of unknown pantheon or unbelievable practices. Waco Texas for example. His followers were led to believe he was a,
or "the" God. A sheep herder, leading his flock to what they believed was ever lasting life.. then led them to their death. Look at another example;
People everywhere that will kill or be killed for their God, because.. the person they listen to told them it was ok. Do we consider their path a
cult? Would Muslims be considered a "cult"? Catholicism is Christian, but the Christians will be the first to tell you, "NO.. I'm not Catholic".
The most popular religious standing is Catholicism and yet, it is ONE sheep herder, leading his flock. Benedict?! Is he the leader of a "cult". They
worship "saints", they pray to the mother of God. They pay pennants prior to Heaven or Hell. This is definitely outside the box of mainstream
religion. Yet it has been the basis for religion since Christianity rose.
I hope I have left you enough to ponder over and hopefully get some decent replys going. I don’t want this to fall into flame wars, take a serious
look at my main question here and the reason I posted. Thank you
