What's that quote? "A religion is a cult that survived the death of its founder."
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The difference between religion and superstitions
- Thread starter Segev Moran
- Start date
SkepticX
Member
I'd argue that a key component to a cult is that it defies socialization, which can be very close to the same thing as refusing to abide by the more global (in software terms) standards in the cult's host society. If it just looks like a standard issue religion to the host society, it is.
Plenty of minority religions "defy socialization" in their host societies, too.
... or are you saying that this makes these groups cults and not religions?
SkepticX
Member
I'm not sure that's true (I'm not sure it's not either though). Can you give an example?
- Orthodox Jews
- Mennonites
- the Amish
- Conservative Muslims in the West
- Druze (in some places)
- Baha'i (in some places)
- Catholics (in Britain during and after the English Reformation)
- monastic communities of virtually any religion
paarsurrey
Veteran Member
Anything unreasonable believing to be true is superstitious.
Truthful Religion is never superstitious. Please
Regards
Truthful Religion is never superstitious. Please
Regards
YmirGF
Bodhisattva in Recovery
So... you don't believe that Muhammad literally rode a flying donkey to heaven?
You don't believe that Muhammad split the moon?
You don't believe there are scientific miracles in the Qur'an?
paarsurrey
Veteran Member
None of them is a core teaching of Quran. Please
Regards
YmirGF
Bodhisattva in Recovery
What a truly odd answer, LOL. Please
Regards
paarsurrey
Veteran Member
What is odd about it? Please
Regards
YmirGF
Bodhisattva in Recovery
Once I manage to stop laughing, I might give you the heads up as to why your answer is hilarious.
paarsurrey
Veteran Member
The difference between religion and superstitions
Truthful religion is based on revelation.
The superstitions are based on ignorance , weak thinking and are whimsical.
Superstitions have got nothing to do with religion or science. Right? Please
Regards.
Truthful religion is based on revelation.
The superstitions are based on ignorance , weak thinking and are whimsical.
Superstitions have got nothing to do with religion or science. Right? Please
Regards.
psychoslice
Veteran Member
So therefore most religions are superstitious ?.
SkepticX
Member
I'd say most of those are just outside of the mainstream, not violating socialization, but it's admittedly a very grey area with relatively little black and white too, and it changes with the attitudes of the host cultures. Also, based upon your post, culture of origin would probably be a better term than host culture--not a very good choice on my part.
At any rate I'd consider violations of socialization things like leaders believed to actually be Jesus or Muhammad (maybe also being scions), or who prey on members sexually, or who consider Jesus or Muhammad to be aliens, believing they have superpowers of some sort ... that sort of thing. Mormonism would count (did count) but for the fact they've largely mainstreamed themselves in the general public perception over the last couple of decades. The Druze may count, but I can't speak to the parameters of their social norms. My impression is more that they may be a loose eastern analog to the Mormons in the West.
It's certainly not hard science, and it's also not all that hashed out yet, but if you're inclined keep challenging the idea like that and we can see how well it holds, where it may need to be tweaked, or if it just fails.