> We see things that they don't even dream of.
Yup, Rohit sounds like a cult leader to me.
-- Adam
http://www.realtime.net/~bantik/cultfaq.html
What exactly is a cult leader? What is a cult?
Good question. A cult is defined as a small, radical sect of people
devoted to a single person or principle. At least, that's how the powers
that be would define it. Note that terms such as "small" and "radical"
are thrown in to make the definition vague enough to cover everything
from Trekkies to Book-Of-The-Month subscribers to Branch Davidians. In
most cases, a cult leader is the person upon whom the devotion and
worship of the cult is heaped. This person may be considered the avatar,
or incarnation, of a specific principle or even god-form.
What characteristics do most cult leaders share?
Another good question. You're pretty bright, you know? I deal with a lot
of people, day in and day out, who don't have half of the intelligence
that you do. It's like they're sleeping, you know? But some people--
people like you and me-- we're awake. We're awake and aware, and we see
things that they don't even dream of. Am I right? I can see it in your
eyes. You know what I'm talking about. I have someone I'd like you to
meet. A friend of mine. He's really cool, and he knows what's going on.
This is so cool. We're going to be great friends.
What is a messiah complex, and where can I get one?
When you've got a messiah complex, you KNOW that you're the last hope
for the human race, or at least a chunk of the human race. You're
painfully aware that you are set apart, and that you must endure more
than the average man or woman, as part of the price of your divine right
to battle the forces that are dragging humanity ever downward. It's a
thankless job, you know, but one that the Ones Beyond have chosen you
for. When it comes to your messiah complex, you've either got it or you
don't.
What's dangerous about having a messiah complex?
Well, although a messiah complex is a great way to form your doctrine
and to build the ego and aura of cosmic attitude and platitude necessary
to build a devoted following, things get tricky when you, yourself,
become increasingly convinced that all the holy books you've written
about yourself are true. When it gets that bad, you'll find yourself
getting sloppy-- convincing yourself that the Space Brothers of Sirius
B, who of course have chosen you as the Outer Head of the Empire of the
Whole Earth Alliance of Divine Light, will protect you and yours from
those ATF guys at the gate using their Divine Powers over Time and
Space.
Are self-proclaimed messiahs free to do what they will?
This one's a definite judgement call. You really have to balance the
insanity of what you want to do against the power of your charisma over
other people's senses of morality. If you're trying to pass yourself off
as the avatar of some god or another, think about things first. Ask
yourself, "Would the incarnation of Osiris, living in the body of a
retired fishmonger in Newport News, Virginia, really be interested in a
game of strip Uno with half a dozen 14 year old girls on cocaine?"