What is a cult of personality? The first thing that comes to mind is the admiration of millions of people before Stalin, Hitler, idealization and exaggeration of their merits and merits. Such senseless admiration, obedience and fear were inherent in people at different times. And it was not always connected with something animated.
Religion and cult
Even ancient people in one way or another bowed before the elements, gods and unknown phenomena. If we analyze the first customs and rituals, it becomes clear what a cult is and where it originates from. Its appearance goes deep into the centuries, and its development is closely interconnected with religion. In ancient Egypt, people worshiped the underworld and animals. The concepts of religion and cult are very similar in definition. At its core, it is mass worship. But the object of worship may vary: in the cult of personality it is a specific person, and in religion it is the higher powers that are hidden under different concepts. Depending on religion, this may be God, Karma, Fate. The cult of religion is also distinguished by the fact thata person tries in every possible way to interact and communicate with higher forces. However, with some deification of the priest, preacher, head of the church, leader of the group, one can speak of a sect. It is in it that they try to impose inflated authorities of their teachers and group leaders.
Cult in antiquity
What is a cult in antiquity? In the depths of centuries, these were rituals and ceremonies. Ancient cults were directed towards deities. Belief in something unknown and incomprehensible helped a person to survive in different times, sowed hope and confidence in the future. In many parts of the Earth, ancient cults had an inseparable connection with sacrifices. At the same time, human life was the best gift for the Higher Mind. Until now, this ritual has its supporters.
What is Kali cult or Naga cult? Their origins are to be found in ancient India. The cult of Kali is associated with the worship of the Black Goddess Ma. It is believed that it still exists. The worship of the ancient Serpent, who gave wisdom to the tribes, is called the Naga cult. And such currents as Krishnaism, Shaivism, New Age are quite young and are widely developing not only in India.
Ancient cults in the modern world
Most of the ancient cults have survived to this day in Africa, Asia and Oceania. Primary religions and cultural traditions of antiquity are literally immortalized here. Despite the fact that civilization is increasingly crowding out tribes with an old way of life, they still believe in witchcraft, in the close relationship of the world of the dead with the worldalive.
Figurines, various accessories, tom-toms are widely used to communicate with spirits. Fetishism is of great importance not only for any tribe. This applies to the entire population. Sorcerers are the main seers and arbiters of destinies. It is possible that these peoples do not know what a cult of personality is. But the cult of the sorcerer is clearly still taking place there.
Reasons for the cult of personality
Where did this phenomenon come from and why? Obviously, the cult of personality develops favorably where power becomes the main goal of the ruler of the country. This "disease", fortunately, does not affect all those in power. However, it is splendidly developing and striking a society where there are a lot of unrooted people, the so-called marginals, who are also poor. These people are always dissatisfied with everything, they experience aggression towards the whole world. It is in such a society that the cult of personality is born. Such people are easy to manipulate, satisfying their desires. Masses of people fall under the influence of an influential person with signs of "God's chosen people." Having subjugated the marginalized, it becomes easier and easier to manage.
As a rule, the reasons for the cult of personality lie also in the crisis in which the country is at that moment. Rising prices, rampant crime, unrest cause the desire and need for a strong ruling hand. And there is always one. This is how Adolf Hitler came to power. However, having received what he wants, the leader becomes a tyrant and a despot.
The cult of personalitystatesmen
The cult of personality has never ended in something positive for the country where it was formed. What is the cult of personality for Russia? These are the eras of Lenin, Stalin, which led to the death of millions of people. All those who disagreed and opposed the regime were mercilessly wiped off the face of the Earth, regardless of position and social status. Hitler came to power thanks to slogans that were popular, promising mountains of gold to his nation.
Stalin took the lead, skillfully beating all competitors. He removed everyone who could interfere with him, and created a retinue of the most faithful and trusted people around him. And his subjects helped him create the image of a firm, wise, infallible father of the entire Soviet people.
Conclusion
What is a cult of personality or religion was well understood by pharaohs in ancient Egypt, khans in China and monarchs and feudal lords in Europe.
With the advent of states, the ruler is deified, giving him supernatural qualities. The communists, condemning such admiration for anyone or anything, themselves gave rise to a similar phenomenon in the countries where they built socialism.
History shows us that society itself is happy to develop and nurture the personality cult of the current ruler. Moreover, the less freedom of speech in this state and freedom of action, the more favorable the ground for the growth of the personality cult. Perhaps the descendants receive it from their ancestors through the blood and absorb it with their mother's milk, since such a phenomenonoften manifests itself in those countries that have already experienced it repeatedly in the course of their history.
