Are religious leaders today afraid of esoteric teachings?

[Spirit of Light]

I have noticed that when i speak with especially brothers or sister from from other parts of Islam (Sunni and Shia), they start to bashing Sufis teaching as something evil. (Not that i get offended by them)

This got me thinking, does the leadership in both Islam and other religions fear the "hidden teachings" from esoteric paths?
Or is there other reason why this is happening?

Have you experienced something similar? or have understanding of why this occure?

 

[Dawnofhope]

I have noticed that when i speak with especially brothers or sister from from other parts of Islam (Sunni and Shia), they start to bashing Sufis teaching as something evil. (Not that i get offended by them)

This got me thinking, does the leadership in both Islam and other religions fear the "hidden teachings" from esoteric paths?
Or is there other reason why this is happening?

Have you experienced something similar? or have understanding of why this occure?

My faith doesn’t have Clergy or leaders in the same way conservative Islam, Christianity or Judaism has leaders. We have elected assembly’s that have a special responsibility for overseeing the wellbeing of our community and facilitating progress. There are a wide variety of characters and perspectives. Although we tend to be an outward looking faith focused on community building, there is plenty of scope for meditation and inner development. Bahá’u’lláh our Prophet and Founder spent two years of His life in seclusion including time with Sufi mystics.

 

[Marcion]

I have noticed that when i speak with especially brothers or sister from from other parts of Islam (Sunni and Shia), they start to bashing Sufis teaching as something evil. (Not that i get offended by them)

This got me thinking, does the leadership in both Islam and other religions fear the "hidden teachings" from esoteric paths?
Or is there other reason why this is happening?

Have you experienced something similar? or have understanding of why this occure?

I suppose the leaders of more extrovertive religions depend for their livelihoods on the donations of their followers.
They don't like to see their flock move on to other pastures in other religions or paths.

If you read texts from the early Christian church fathers in which they fulminate against teachings from more gnostic or introspective leaders, you can sense the hate they must have felt towards that sort of competition.

 

[Heyo]

This got me thinking, does the leadership in both Islam and other religions fear the "hidden teachings" from esoteric paths?

They don't fear the teachings, they fear to be connected to the teachings.
Rationality has gained in popularity ever since the Enlightenment. Religions try to appeal to rationality. Esoterics are seen by the majority as lunatics. As religious leader, you have to decide what kind of congregation you want, a lot of halfway rational people or a few (but dedicated) crazies. The bigger religions have mostly chosen the first option, smaller churches the later.

 

[Spirit of Light]

They don't fear the teachings, they fear to be connected to the teachings.
Rationality has gained in popularity ever since the Enlightenment. Religions try to appeal to rationality. Esoterics are seen by the majority as lunatics. As religious leader, you have to decide what kind of congregation you want, a lot of halfway rational people or a few (but dedicated) crazies. The bigger religions have mostly chosen the first option, smaller churches the later.

Would not the followers gain from understand deeper wisdom that lay in the hidden teachings
Or can it be that some religious leaders just dont know the teachings them selvs?

 

[Spirit of Light]

My faith doesn’t have Clergy or leaders in the same way conservative Islam, Christianity or Judaism has leaders. We have elected assembly’s that have a special responsibility for overseeing the wellbeing of our community and facilitating progress. There are a wide variety of characters and perspectives. Although we tend to be an outward looking faith focused on community building, there is plenty of scope for meditation and inner development. Bahá’u’lláh our Prophet and Founder spent two years of His life in seclusion including time with Sufi mystics.

I have to say i like much of the wisdom from Baha'i and it is always interesting to discuss with Baha'i practitioners

 

[Dawnofhope]

I have to say i like much of the wisdom from Baha'i and it is always interesting to discuss with Baha'i practitioners

There’s a close connection between Islam and the Baha’i Faith much like Judaism and Christianity. The Baha’i Faith emerged from Persian Shi’a Islam, spread throughout the Ottoman Empire into Sunni Islam and became centred in Haifa Israel. Like Muslims, Bahá’i Also believe that Muhammad is a Messenger of Allah and the Holy Quran is the Word of God.

There’s a major tension too of course. Many Muslims believe Muhammad to be the Seal of the Prophets and the last Messenger of Allah for all time. Baha’is interpret this Quranic verse differently. This is irritating for some Muslim leaders who insist the Baha’i Faith is an apostate religion. Baha’is are persecuted in a number of Islamic countries.

Regardless, Bahá’u’lláh taught to associate with peoples of all faiths in a spirit of love and fellowship.

 

[Spirit of Light]

There’s a close connection between Islam and the Baha’i Faith much like Judaism and Christianity. The Baha’i Faith emerged from Persian Shi’a Islam, spread throughout the Ottoman Empire into Sunni Islam and became centred in Haifa Israel. Like Muslims, Bahá’i Also believe that Muhammad is a Messenger of Allah and the Holy Quran is the Word of God.

There’s a major tension too of course. Many Muslims believe Muhammad to be the Seal of the Prophets and the last Messenger of Allah for all time. Baha’is interpret this Quranic verse differently. This is irritating for some Muslim leaders who insist the Baha’i Faith is an apostate religion. Baha’is are persecuted in a number of Islamic countries.

Regardless, Bahá’u’lláh taught to associate with peoples of all faiths in a spirit of love and fellowship.

Sufism also belong to ottoman empire and especially the tarika i belong to

 

[Dawnofhope]

Sufism also belong to ottoman empire and especially the tarika i belong to

I have a Sufi friend who grew up Christian but felt called to become a Muslim. He has struggled with the influence of Wahhabism in our cities local mosque so prefers Sufi meetings and rhythmic drumming. He like to come to Baha’i meetings too.

 

[Spirit of Light]

I have a Sufi friend who grew up Christian but felt called to become a Muslim. He has struggled with the influence of Wahhabism in our cities local mosque so prefers Sufi meetings and rhythmic drumming. He like to come to Baha’i meetings too.

Wahhabism is a problem yes. It is of course not my job to critique others but wahhabis has created a bit of a mess for sufis and probably for Baha'is too

 

[Dawnofhope]

Wahhabism is a problem yes. It is of course not my job to critique others but wahhabis has created a bit of a mess for sufis and probably for Baha'is too

I suspect its created the biggest problem for Muslims and the image of Islam as it negotiates the modern world and globalisation.

 

[Spirit of Light]

I suspect its created the biggest problem for Muslims and the image of Islam as it negotiates the modern world and globalisation.

This is my understanding too

 

[Colt]

Believers are taught by their religious leaders that their faith is the only right faith. That their scriptures are "The Word of God". So they fear other teachings, in fact they are taught to fear other voices.

 

[Spirit of Light]

Believers are taught by their religious leaders that their faith is the only right faith. That their scriptures are "The Word of God". So they fear other teachings, in fact they are taught to fear other voices.

Yes unfortunately this does happen a lot, it can be good to maybe say something like. I believe in this God and for me this feels correct, but other people are of course free to hold their belief too.

 

[Gargovic Malkav]

I have noticed that when i speak with especially brothers or sister from from other parts of Islam (Sunni and Shia), they start to bashing Sufis teaching as something evil. (Not that i get offended by them)

This got me thinking, does the leadership in both Islam and other religions fear the "hidden teachings" from esoteric paths?
Or is there other reason why this is happening?

Have you experienced something similar? or have understanding of why this occure?

Of course many would judge you.
Many of them believe they belong to the most pure and real form of Islam, and they are taught that anyone who deviates from that norm, is a sinner and goes to Hell if that person doesn't repent and conform to their cultural norms.
This makes critical thinking discouraging, as such people will quickly be treated as outcasts or as confused for doing so.
Not all "mainstream" Muslims are like that, but it seems to be fairly common nowadays.

I think this is partly a reactionary response to many (secular)Western norms that often encourage a way of thinking and judging that is considered sinful (or too risky to tolerate it because of its sinful potential) by Islam(and other religions).

I remember about 1,5 year ago, I was trying to find some common ground with a very strict (Sunni) Muslim, and it went well for a little while.
But as soon as I expressed a view that deviated from his taught orthodoxy, he suddenly called me "hopeless" and compared me to a soothsayer who is aided by devils who eavesdrop on heavenly conversations.

This made it clear to me that what I believe God had revealed to me, is not for him and those who agree with him and what he taught is not meant for me.

 

[Vinayaka]

I have noticed that when i speak with especially brothers or sister from from other parts of Islam (Sunni and Shia), they start to bashing Sufis teaching as something evil. (Not that i get offended by them)

This got me thinking, does the leadership in both Islam and other religions fear the "hidden teachings" from esoteric paths?
Or is there other reason why this is happening?

Have you experienced something similar? or have understanding of why this occure?

Haven't Sufis always been on the outside of mainstream Islam?

 

[Spirit of Light]

Haven't Sufis always been on the outside of mainstream Islam?

Yes, Sufism is the esoteric path of islam, some of the teaching that is given is not written down but passed from sufi master to sufi master also called the Shaykh. and the teaching is given to those the shaykh understand can obtain the wisdom from it

 

[Vinayaka]

Yes, Sufism is the esoteric path of islam, some of the teaching that is given is not written down but passed from sufi master to sufi master also called the Shaykh. and the teaching is given to those the shaykh understand can obtain the wisdom from it

That didn't really answer my question, which was a bout how mainstream Muslims view Sufis. If my conjecture is indeed accurate, you shouldn't be at all surprised when fellow Muslims view you with suspicion.

In my religion, a high percentage of it is esoteric. Some would argue all of it is. So that challenge doesn't exist.

 

[Spirit of Light]

That didn't really answer my question, which was a bout how mainstream Muslims view Sufis. If my conjecture is indeed accurate, you shouldn't be at all surprised when fellow Muslims view you with suspicion.

In my religion, a high percentage of it is esoteric. Some would argue all of it is. So that challenge doesn't exist.

In my understanding the many mainstream muslims are sufism as a wrong path. And they are not afraid to tell it

 

[Vinayaka]

In my understanding the many mainstream muslims are sufism as a wrong path. And they are not afraid to tell it

Yes, that answers the question, and confirms what I had thought. Is your teacher affected by it? Does he have to avoid certain situations? Is he persecuted?