Publisher's Synopsis
ABRAHAMIC CULT: WHAT, WHY AND HOW?
Origin and history: Abraham always describes as father of three religions i.e.
Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Each one has a claim as a true follower of Abraham's
faith. Before any further discussion on Abrahamic faith, I would like to describe why
I took the word 'cult' rather than religion for Abrahamic faith? What are the
characteristics of cult which are assimilate with Abrahamic faith?
A cult is a religious group with novel religious beliefs and high degree of
tension with the surrounding society. It is difficult to find any perfect definition of
'cult' but some characteristics are clearly found in cult practices. These are so similar
with the Abrahamic faith. Excessive glorification of the leader is one of main point of
cultic practices. There is a belief that leader can't be wrong. Leader is omniscience
personality. If we compare these characteristics with prophetic concepts of Abraham's
faith, it is so identical. One more important thing is that voice of dissent, questioning
and doubt are discouraged and punished. Belief that the leader and group has only
method of discovering final knowledge or truth in all subjects. In these practices only
ends justify the means. There are hidden agendas behind potential recruits. Recruits
and followers are not told everything about leaders and group's inner circle.
Aggressive conversion and recruitment practices are found in cults. These are some
universally accepted characteristics of the cult which are easily found in Judaism,
Christianity and Islam.
When Abraham first appeared in history at genesis his age was almost ninety
three years. Abraham has no past and no mother. Genesis 2nd verse 26: "when Terah
had lived seventy years, become the father of Abraham, Nahor and Haran." This was
the first introduction about Abraham in genesis which told us that the Terah was the
father of Abraham. There is an interesting fact that in beginning his name was Abram
not Abraham. The name Abram Hebrew means 'the father of exalted' or 'almighty
father.' Abram abandon his father and native land in the age of seventy five. He.
