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Universal religious concepts- religious instruments of power
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While we have been able to summarize the six key literal implications of the
concept of a religion upon which all religions are based, these implications
only describe the essential structural components. All religions in some way
possess what we can classify as "instruments of power" whether it be physical
objects, texts, rituals or secret/sacred knowledge.
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The concept of power |
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The word power in the English
language is a translation of the Old French word poer, poeir originating
from the Latin potere, posse meaning "be able". Since the 5th
Century CE, the word power seems to have been in use to describe two specific
meanings (a) as a quality or property of things and (b) as a person, body or
thing: |
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As a person, body or thing "An influential or governing person, body or thing;
in early use one in authority" (1400's)
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As a quality or property "Ability to act or affect something strongly, physical
or mental strength, vigour, energy, force of character." (1440)
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Therefore when we consider the word
power, we are talking about those things that are considered powerful (e.g. a
God, or a military army) and the ability of those things to affect our lives (
e.g. a Gods control over life and death). |
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The concept of an instrument of "power" |
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We define a "instrument of power" as
being: |
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An instrument of power is any physical object(s), text, ritual or secret/ sacred
knowledge that is deemed to be divine/Universal (from the God's) or
deadly/strong in nature and is used to reinforce/maintain the desired behaviour
of followers and supporters of that particular system.
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As we will see, it is these instruments
of power are what make a religion great, in terms of the number and devotion of
its follower base and longevity as well as uniqueness in terms of its pedigree
to other religions from which it might have spawned.
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Summary of the classification and types of
religious instruments of power |
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All religious instruments of power of all
the religions may be classed into two main groups: |
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positive religious instruments of power |
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negative religious instruments of power |
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Positive Religious Instruments of Power |
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Divine ethereal gifts |
The gift of soul
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The promise of everlasting life
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| Divine Wisdom
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Divine technical wisdom
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Divine methods of life wisdom
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| Divine Healing
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Miracles
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The gift of absolution (forgiveness)
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| Sacred Sounds
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The sacred sounds
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| Sacred Symbols
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Symbols such as the cross
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| Sacred Objects
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The bones of "saints"
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Sacred texts
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| Sacred Locations |
Temples and churches
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Sacred geographic locations
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Negative Religious Instruments of power |
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Breach of divine trust |
Original sin
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Sin (in general)
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| Ill (physical pain) |
Disease and pain
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| Evil (physical and mental/spiritual pain) |
The Devil
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Evil spirits
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| Death |
The pain of death or inflicting of actual death (e.g. God killing
disbelievers)
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| Eternal death and damnation |
Hell
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The strength of negative religious
instruments of power compared to positive religious instruments of power |
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Contrary to what religions state is the
case, the strongest instruments of power for all religions have been the
negative instruments of power, commonly classed as "force", "fear" and
"danger". It has been these instruments of power representing the "threat" and
real use of power that signify the greatest influence on human behaviour from
religions. |
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