Chapter 1: Introduction to the Movements

This exploration delves into the similarities among three distinct religious movements: Mormonism, Thelema, and Rastafarianism. A striking feature of each is how their founders ascribed to themselves a supernatural status, positioning themselves as prophets or deities.

Understanding the Book of Mormon

To grasp the roots of Mormonism, one must examine the origins of the Book of Mormon. Followers of the Latter Day Saint movement have various interpretations regarding its inception. You can find a comprehensive overview of this topic on Wikipedia:

Origin of the Book of Mormon - Wikipedia

I was curious about how Joseph Smith claimed his prophetic role, leading me to this insightful documentary:

American Prophet: The Story of Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith essentially declared himself a prophet. I recall reading that he had to translate the Book of Mormon twice due to a publisher's deceit, resulting in a different text upon the second attempt. However, the situation may not be as straightforward as it seems:

Challenges to Mormon Origins

Recent discussions have emerged questioning the church's credibility. An article noted:

"The credibility of the church in its formative years is under scrutiny. Aside from Smith and his family, key witnesses such as Harris, Cowdery, and Whitmer affirmed the existence of the engraved plates that Smith claimed to have translated. These plates, however, were said to have been reclaimed by an angel."

The narrative suggests that these golden plates, central to the Book of Mormon, were shown to Smith by an angel but were returned after the translation. Consequently, no one can verify their existence or consult the angel, as it allegedly ascended back to heaven. This leads to the conclusion that Joseph Smith may have fabricated this story entirely. By elevating himself to "prophet" status at the young age of 14, he wielded significant influence, indicating he possessed a certain level of charisma and persuasive ability.

Chapter 2: Thelema and Aleister Crowley

Aleister Crowley, the founder of Thelema, introduced a new spiritual philosophy. You can explore more about his beliefs and teachings on Wikipedia:

Thelema - Wikipedia

Crowley authored several significant texts that form the foundation of Thelema:

The Holy Books of Thelema

This video highlights some shocking revelations about Crowley and his philosophy:

The narrator discusses Crowley's self-proclamation as a deity and notes that L. Ron Hubbard became involved with Thelema later in Crowley's life, symbolizing a transfer of influence.

Rastafarianism: A Unique Perspective

Lastly, we turn to Rastafarianism, a religious and political movement that originated in Jamaica during the 1930s. For an in-depth overview, refer to this entry from Encyclopedia Britannica:

Rastafari | History, Beliefs, & Facts

In Rastafarian belief, Haile Selassie I is revered as God, a perspective stemming from a prophecy by Marcus Garvey. The belief arose swiftly after Selassie's ascension as Emperor of Ethiopia, leading Rastafarians to see him as the redeemer of the Black race.

Additional insights can be found in the Rastafarian Wikipedia article:

Rastafari - Wikipedia

Conclusion: Common Threads Among the Movements

In summary, the founders of these three movements positioned themselves as either prophets or divine figures, despite their mortal demise. While it remains unclear whether Haile Selassie claimed his divinity, Rastafarians accept him as God, irrespective of his self-appointment. It is worth noting that scientists do not typically elevate themselves in this manner, which invites further examination of the differences between religious figures and those in the scientific community. Thank you for taking the time to read this analysis.