Sirona
Hindu Wannabe
This may be a sign that I am really getting old, but ... does anyone remember Star Trek V: The Final Frontier from 1989???
I've been thinking about the validity of messiah figures lately and the image which in this context keeps popping up in my head annoyingly often is Sybok. He is a Vulcan but he does his own kind of mindmeld, hugging all kinds people and saying: ""Share your pain. Share your pain with me – and gain strength from the sharing", While being hugged, those people apparently experience some catharis and afterwards they follow him fervently, willing to do most anything for him. I always wondered if the "fault" is on him for using his followers for his own purpose, or whether it is on his followers because of their inability to break away from him.
Similarities with existing messiah figures are not intended but probably unavoidable. Maybe it's nothing but a feeling but Sybok has always been giving me the creeps.
I've been thinking about the validity of messiah figures lately and the image which in this context keeps popping up in my head annoyingly often is Sybok. He is a Vulcan but he does his own kind of mindmeld, hugging all kinds people and saying: ""Share your pain. Share your pain with me – and gain strength from the sharing", While being hugged, those people apparently experience some catharis and afterwards they follow him fervently, willing to do most anything for him. I always wondered if the "fault" is on him for using his followers for his own purpose, or whether it is on his followers because of their inability to break away from him.
Similarities with existing messiah figures are not intended but probably unavoidable. Maybe it's nothing but a feeling but Sybok has always been giving me the creeps.