Question 68: HOW SHOULD WE UNDERSTAND THE TERM "HERESY" OR “HERETICAL RELIGION”?

Question 68: HOW SHOULD WE UNDERSTAND THE TERM "HERESY" OR “HERETICAL RELIGION”?Answer: The term heresy implies something wrong, while orthodoxy signifies what is right. However, upon closer examination, right and wrong coexist in all areas. Even within orthodox and legitimate religions, wrongdoings can occur. In so-called heretical religions, there may still be individuals of integrity and virtue (as depicted in the martial arts novels of Jin Yong).However, in general, a heresy (or heretical religion) can be identified based on the following signals:- It is split from an established religion and introduces new doctrines incompatible with national (or international) laws, human conscience and societal ethics.- It is a newlyestablished religion, independent of existing mainstream religions, with doctrines that contradict the universal human morality and conscience.- It shows signs ofexploiting its followers for financial gain.- It exhibitsindications of building a power base to gain political influence.- It lacks the goal offostering morality and virtue in people but instead propagates extreme and harmful beliefs.- Its leadersappear delusional, arrogant, self-glorifying and lack transparency on many issues.- Its followersgradually exhibit distorted personalities, becoming disconnected from society, showing no love for others, and harboring hostility toward those who do not follow their religion.- It may usestimulants to manipulate its followers psychologically.- It may employcharms or spells to enchant and control its followers.- It may beestablished by a covert organization to serve its own agenda rather than to guide people toward righteousness and virtue.In some cases, its leaders themselves are deluded by their own misguided beliefs and unintentionally lead others astray. In other cases, the leaders deliberately use religion as a tool for deception, fully aware of their manipulative actions.From the perspective of the Law of Cause and Effect (or the Law of Karma), those who are drawn into heretical paths may have unresolved karmic debts to heretical leaders from past lives, compelling them to follow such paths in this life to repay those debts. #Religions, #Buddhism, #DialogueBuddhismReligions, #Religious, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightement, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #BuddhismforBeginners, #Janna, #JannaOrderMonastery,