Russian Messiah?
By worldwise1
@worldwise1 (14885)
United States
June 27, 2008 12:13pm CST
I found an interesting video on ABC.com news yesterday about a self-proclaimed Russian Messiah who goes by the name of Vasarian. He has amassed thousands of faithful followers who literally gave up all of their worldly possessions to travel to Siberia and live in that unfriendly climate. I can't help but think of Jim Jones and his commune of followers who were ultimately led to their deaths. That is only one example of these "cult" types of situations over the past couple of decades. What makes these people fall so willingly under the spell of such a personality? I believe it is just this type of thing that gives religion a bad name. The video went on to show that these followers refuse conventional medical treatment, work for no compensation(although they each receive about $12 per month as a stipend), and live their lives according to the guidelines set forth in a series of teachings written by Vasarian. What is your opinion on this situation? Do you also perceive this to be a disaster in the making? Would you ever join such a cult?
5 people like this
11 responses
@bubbles89 (122)
• United States
27 Jun 08
It's definitely a disaster in the making. I wont pass judgement on anyone that has gone this route. I feel sorry for their situation because they are seeking after something that they aren't going to find in a cult.
I'm a born again christian and before I gave myself to the Lord I as well joined in with many other things. Never a cult or anything like that but other things. I was just searching for something to fill the void that I had in my heart and it wasn't until I got saved that the void was filled.
My heart is sad that there are people like Jim Jones and so many others that would put themselves in the position of "messiah" as a way to prey on people that are so hopeless. It makes my heart ache for them and makes me angry at those that would exploit people who are hurting.
I think that's why sites like mylot are so effective in telling hurting people about the love of Jesus because he is the only Messiah and he loves them regardless of what they've done.
Great topic
Hugs and God bless
@lynn2457 (500)
• United States
27 Jun 08
Bubbles, I feel the same way, I know the feeling, there was something missing, and everything I did or tried did not fill the emptiness,I felt this for years. I had other issues also, but until I found my first LOVE, I never really loved, understand or accept, me or others. thank you.
Amen, I agree so much with you. Especially, even if mylotters don't answer, I feel like they are reading it and moving on. But, they read it, at least a little.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I agree, bubbles, that there is a void that needs to be filled within all of us. For many it is the love of the Lord. Sadly, there will always be charlatans who prey upon those naive enough to think they can find salvation any way other than through Jesus Christ.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
29 Jun 08
It does sound like another cult, and somewhere do the line there probably will be another disaster I am sure.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Jun 08
You are right, winterose. These situations invariably breed discontent among the followers sooner or later.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I agree, rsa101, and I don't foresee an end to it anytime soon.
@SheliaLee (2736)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I agree with you wholeheartedly on this. I don't understand what makes people fall for a person such as this either. I only hope that they will realize the seriousness of their mistake before something terrible happens. Like you, I think this is going to bring bad news for these people and I hurt for their families.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Jun 08
Most people just walk right into these situations, SheliaLee, with their eyes wide open.
@saivenkaat802003 (4823)
• India
28 Jun 08
God never asks to make us suffer.. in fact.. many religions don't even advocate the FASTING itself.
It is the sense of true help,.. and the belief that every one is the brothers and sisters.. develops love amongst themselves.... Man must start loving each other.. only then true spirit of brother hood will blossom.. " LOVE ALL, SERVE ALL"
When once, we start loving each other, their imaginary wall of ego is shackled and destroyed... and it is here the " I in me " in every one gets converted to " WE in us." .. Selfless service.. is the service to man kind..
Really.. i don't understand what the teachings of Vasarian has brought to the society.... By compelling the body.. under physical strains it does not mean the " Five senses" of the body has been controlled...
And World wise.. As usual.. full marks to you.. A brilliant discussion..brilliant observation of the happenings.. Take care.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I think, saivenkaat, as I stated before, some people just wish to be controlled in life. They never want to have to think for themselves or do anything other than what they are told to do.
@cristine3276 (893)
• Philippines
29 Jun 08
Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the only true Messiah I recognize. He clearly pointed out in His Olivet discourse the signs that are going to appear in the last days prior to His second coming . One of the signs He pointed out is the appearances of false messiahs or false christs. I believe Vasarian ia a sort of false messiah.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Jun 08
He is, without a doubt, portraying himself to be someone he clearly is not, cristine. The most frightening aspect of this is that he might actually believe it.
@laglen (19759)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I would never join a cult. The people who do are usually, and I say usually not always, are with out family or estranged from family, down on their luck and are looking to "belong", it is the same idea as a gang. The cult leaders are usually very charming and magnetic. A good example of this is Barack Obama. I am not a supporter, but he is an outstanding public speaker. I also am not saying he is a cult leader, so anybody getting their panties in a bunch can dig em out and move on.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Jun 08
You gave me quite a chuckle, laglen.
Yes, some people have been blessed with enough charisma to charm the devil himself. I still don't believe I would fall under their spell though.
Yes, some people have been blessed with enough charisma to charm the devil himself. I still don't believe I would fall under their spell though.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
27 Jun 08
LOL..I did a discussion about this myself last night....I had seen the story on the very late night news...Did you know he has his own website??? I can't help thinking this is a dangerous cult thing ....he has over 5,000 followers living in that community, they live in poverty, do not believe in medical treatment...I mean if he WAS the real Christ incarnated I doubt he would allow sickness or poverty living conditions
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Jun 08
Sorry for horning in on your discussion, pyewacket, but I had not seen it. He would be more believable had he not gone to so much trouble to actually look like the projected image of what Jesus supposedly does. The report also noted that these people have a record of being badly infected with Lyme Disease due to the population of ticks in the area. Now, that just positively turns me off, eew!
1 person likes this
@kriszelunka (557)
• Australia
28 Jun 08
I would never personally join a cult like this, nor do I, or would I follow an accepted, organised religion.
I think many people feel lost in life though, and so if a strong personality comes into their life, they are easily manipulated and led. Some people need to be told how to live their life in order to be fulfilled for whatever reason (most commonly low self esteem, or lack of self respect).
It's sad that people can't be happy with who they are, and there is no class or race that is exempt. People who join cults are usually from all walks of life.
Cults, like other religions, are responsible for many disasters, and it's likely that this will be no different.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Jun 08
There certainly is something lacking in the lives of these people, kriszelunka, in order for them to give up all their worldly goods and go and live in unspeakable conditions like this. I agree that not all people even desire to have control over their own lives, and that is very sad.
@trell8402 (274)
• United States
27 Jun 08
I wouldn't join a cult, and this is definitely a disaster. While this does make me also think of Jim Jones, David Koresh and the Waco incident also comes to mind. None of these cults ever turn out good, so it's just a matter of time before it's breaking news.... I don't know what they do to make so many people start believing them. I know that many people can't be that gullible.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Jun 08
Evidently, trell, there are many, many gullible people in the world. Just a few weeks ago I saw a story on the news about a preacher out west who was predicting that the world would come to an end on the following Thursday. He also had a huge cult-like following of devoted members. Of course, needless to say, his prediction did not come true.
@paroloza (140)
• United States
27 Jun 08
Yes, this is an interesting question you brought up. I think the root of sectarian behaviour is the desire to be something special, to belong to a special group of people, the only one that will be saved, they who have a special knowledge that is forlorn unto others.
Once such a movement is born, it easily can attrackt people who lack any capacity for critical thinking and will believe anything as long as it comes from a person who is considered an authority. As there are people who will always reject authority, there are others who never will defy authority.
You are right, history is full of such stories, and not only the Jim Jones and the Waco followers have paid dearly for their blindness. Some myLot post reflect the same readyness to believe any insane story without doubting.
The only way we can beware is to train our critical understanding, because to have faith and to believe is one thing, but to be credulous is another.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I believe that a healthy dose of skepticism should always be applied when it comes to things that are way off the grid, paroloza. There will alwasy be people who are easily led-sometimes to their own destruction.
