Its seems that down through the ages that every generation has its doomsday prophet, some person who has the inside track with God. And not content to stand on the street corner and proclaim the end is near, he (or she) needs a group to justify the prophecy.

We have had countless religious groups this last 200 years bent on gathering up the naive from every corner of the globe and leading them to the promised land, or at least fleecing them for their worldly goods along the way. And at best they end up broke and scattered to the wind, or the worse case scenario, dead.

The profile fits the majority of these individuals, in as much that they know how to prey on the weak minded by proclaiming themselves the true voice of God, and holding absolute control over their flock with rules and regulations that forbid questioning any authority. This tactic is a trade mark of cults and sects, effectively removing the identity of its members and their ability to think for themselves.

Segregation from the world at large is also part of the strategy, convincing the group that the world is evil, and that the only way to see heaven is to remain in the security of the cult, believing only in the words divinely given to its prophet leader, using the fear of damnation as the consequence for questioning its authority.

Remarkably its this fear that strips away the logic from otherwise intelligent people, allowing them to blindly follow the orders and commands, even when common sense and logic paint another picture. And when the rest of the world questions to this mentality, the self made prophet simply proclaims it as the work of the devil.

Religion is built on this fear, rather than the promised peace and goodwill that should be the result of adherence to a divine message, and sadly it drives the blind believers to commit the ultimate act in the name of their faith by killing off their neighbor.

Misery does indeed love company.

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