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?
Preachers put down other religions. Perhaps the reasons are:
1. Afraid that their followers will follow a different religion, especially if their religion derived from an older religion that is more apt to be from the source (God) rather than a rewrite by some king). I would imagine Anglicans insisting that their religion is the only true religion though it was created by a king (Henry VIII) who threw chicken bones over his shoulder while he ate, and created the church to allow for the divorce or execution of his various wives.
2. Support their choice of religion. Some went to divinity school (college) and spent a long time studying their religion, and it would be a pity to toss all that out if someone decides that another religion is correct or better.
The problem is that ever religion seems to have sects. One sect bashes another. It seems that
religion is the great divider (rather than pulling everyone together, as it is supposed to do). Religion is supposed to make peace, not wars (Crusades, Guantanamo torture camp, etc).