• just_another_person@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    Is venture a guess that a long-term study could prove that the Internet being more widely available makes this time in history more popular for cults. Easy communication with the masses to identify with and lure in at-risk people has certainly completely different than any other time in history, at least for casting a wide net to sucker in followers.

    • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      You know that religion is a thing right? Virtually the entire human population worshiping long dead warlords (Mohammed, King David) cult leaders (Buddha, Krishna, Lao Tzu) and wholly fictional characters like Jesus.

      • just_another_person@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        Yes, but communicated to large groups over looooong periods of time. That is not necessary right night, increasing efficiency to broadcasting a message. Hence the “Golden Age” tag here.

        • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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          8 months ago

          Maybe. The other argument would be that since cult leaders can spread it fast counter movements can also attack fast. Plus since there is more information in the system the counters are more readily available. Pretty easy to convert some illiterates near starvation level of your magic man, lot harder to convince people who have Aristotle.

          If you got data I will be happy to look at it.