What is the best way to avoid "cult-like" thinking in your religious beliefs?

Question

First off, any Religion is susceptible to mind control, money-hoarding, and alienation of its members.

Islam has the Taliban.
Christianity has the money-grubbing televangelists.
Buddhism has the Chinese Government.
Catholics have the covert ring of child molesters.
NeoPagans have had the drug-addled compounds of the 60's and 70's (don't drink the Kool Aid).

So what can we do to prevent our religious beliefs from "going to that dark place"?

ok, just to be clear - I am aware that the Chinese Gov't and Buddhism are contrary to eachother... I am also aware that the Gov't employs mind-control tactics like declaring their own Dalai Lama to take the place of the true Dalai Lama... look it up.

Answer 1

I don't think it's the religious beliefs that can lead you to a place you don't want to go, but rather submitting to someone elses' will.
It's always a good idea to respect your own beliefs enough to not let them be submissive to anyone else. Having a mentor, guide or spiritual teacher is fine, but accepting someone as master of your life or soul is not.
Personal responsibility is paramount in all matters theological.

Answer 2

By not being afraid to ask questions or to doubt.
The greatest tool for mind control they have is Satan as a misleader.
Fear of being misled by Satan in effect gives that fear the control over your thinking.
I am trying to find a better way to express it.
OK. I could listen to you and evesdropp oner all of your conversations and correct you by hitting you each time you stray or doudt the doctine you have been taught.
That would be very ineffective, Every follower would need a mind reading mind control officer with him all the time.
Enter Satan.
Included in the indoctrination is the doctrine that Satan tempts you to stray. That any variation or doubt is Satan at work. That if you do not resist Satans attempts to make you stray sway or question you will lose your very soul, your eternal life.
Bingo. Now you have a follower with and internalized policeman watching every thought and monitoring every communication your follower has. You have locked your follower into your doctrine and appointed him as his own jailer.
Now your cult member is stuck, if he questions what you tell him then his own thoughts are Satan trying to sway him. Few of them are ever able to escape from themselves.

Never stop asking questions. Satan is not real.
Choose your pill Neo.
The red pill or the blue pill.
Choose reality please.

Answer 3

Three very simple steps

1) Remember the truth that all religions teach but most forget - that the Divine is within all of us, in other words in you as much as anyone else. Therefore never deify or give authority to anyone be they the Dalai Llama or the Pope without also being aware that your truth is as potentially strong as theirs. A religious community should be about equality and discussion of like minded people, not everyone bowing down to one person's ideas.

2) Remember that all religious imagery is contained in symbolism and metaphor with layers and layers of meaning. The great Mystics always believed this and argued for it. Scripture contains endless prisms of truth beyond the literal. Fundamentalism leads to murder.

3) All religions teach us that the image of God is within all of us (see above) and that the way to God is through loving one's neighbour and seeking that God within them. This tends to not be compatible with toting an AK47 around, molesting children, burning people at the stake, taking peoples' money or oppressing women.

A simple step by step guide. Believe me it works! But alas it seems to be too much effort for most supposedly religious people!

Answer 4

One way to avoid getting deceived is to use both your mind and heart together or in other words, reason and feelings.

There are many examples of people getting deceived by not doing this. Mob violence is an example of how a leader can control a group of people by getting them angry enough to resort to horrible violence without thinking about what they are doing until later.

There are many examples of con artists who get people to fork over money and sometimes even all their possessions using an emotional appeal.

The same thing is true on the reason side. It's fairly easy for an educated person to overstate their position to someone not educated in that field. I've learned to trust my feelings and not believe someone just because they seem to know what they are talking about. You just have to be aware that many people exaggerate or lie about what they know and don't know.

I've also found that prayer is a great method for obtaining truth. God speaks to us through our mind and heart.

The best way to avoid "cult-like" thinking is to always use both your mind and heart when seeking truth.

Answer 5

properly, i think of there is a superb line. it rather is barely by way of fact what one can evaluate a factor for communicate and debate must be taken as offensive and impolite to a distinctive man or woman. Its thoroughly subjective so i do no longer think of there is any real thank you to define it. in my opinion, i do no longer innovations human beings disagreeing with me or perhaps saying that i'm incorrect. What I DO innovations is while somebody tries to tension their faith down my throat. i'm Atheist, so I additionally despise while i'm informed i visit "burn in Hell" or something alongside those lines. universal, i think of you will discover many distinctive solutions for this question, yet i do no longer think of one may be seen precise over the different by way of fact it is so opinionated. Atheist Lilian

Answer 6

What does Buddhism have to do with the Chinese government?

The best way to avoid "cult-like" thinking is to not subscribe to any cult, no matter how popular it may be and however much it wants to claim it isn't a cult.

So long as Christianity, or any religion, tells you that the entire universe was designed with little ole you in mind, and that you hold a very special piece of ultimate divine Truth, followers of such pathetic creeds are going to be led to do ridiculous things.

Answer 7

The Chinese Government is Communist - - - they oppress Buddhists, and Christians, as well.

I'd suggest people avoid "religious beliefs," and instead strive to be in relationship with God.

As a follower of Christ, I demonstrate my love for God by loving others. Pretty simple.

Ask yourself what the "intent" of a religion is. Is it outwardly focused -- helping others -- or inwardly focused -- if I blow up this building, I'll be rewarded by Allah.

Does the correct application of a religious philosophy result in the oppression or support of others? Pretty simple choice really.

Godspeed.

Answer 8

It all starts with prayer, and you have to hate the sin, and love the Sinner.
One thing in your posting that I noticed is you threw the first stone.... So if your sin free good for you, but I don't think so.....!!! It just depends on your relationship with God, have some compassion and live your life to God's standards, and pray. Prayer and repentance is what all religions need...God Bless and I hope you find your way to the Gates of Heaven...

Answer 9

Do what JESUS did when the devil tempted Him. Memorize verses before the temptation comes, and RECITE them OUT LOUD when they COME. There is no other name under Heaven whereby we must be saved. Jesus Christ.

AS TO CULTS. DON'T LISTEN TO ANY ONNNE MAN, BUT, RATHER, LISTEN TO THE MESSSAGE! IF THE MESSAGE OF THE MAN, i.e. from people like DAVID KORESH, JIM JONES, OR ANYBODY WHO SPEAKS FALSE PROPHECY OR FALSE DOCTRINE, THEN YOU KNOW IT'S A CULT! AND YOU KNOW TO STAY AWAY!

Answer 10

I think u have that backwards with Buddhism.
Tibet was taken over by China and Buddhism has suffered greatly because of it. China is communists and would abolish Buddhism all together if they could. A lot of innocent non fighting Buddhists died during the take over.
KNOW BE4 U speak