The role of mysticism in cults and religion

Mystical experiences in religious and cultic contexts differ in how the divine is understood: as uncontainable in religion or as contained within a human leader in cults. Using Mormonism and Happy Science as case studies, the article argues that Joseph Smith's vision exemplifies traditional religious mysticism with transcendent, self-dissolving elements, while Ryuho Okawa's experience remains within the physical realm and emphasizes the divine within the individual. The distinction hinges on whether the divine is seen as beyond or within human boundaries, offering a philosophical tool for differentiating religions from cults.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This article examines the parallels and distinctions between mystical experiences within religious and cultic contexts, using Mormonism and Happy Science as case studies. The study begins with a clarification of the theoretical framework, rejecting logical positivism and acknowledging the truthfulness of beliefs as held by followers. Definitions of religion and cults are explored, highlighting the challenges in distinguishing between them. Religion is defined through the lens of transcendent belief in God, offering solutions beyond the natural world, while cults are characterised by their non-traditional beliefs and the presence of a divine element within an individual leader. The similarities between cults and religion are discussed, emphasising the human need for meaning and orientation beyond empirical evidence. Mysticism is defined as an experiential phenomenon transcending the physical world, often involving telepathy, clairvoyance, and union with the divine. The article then presents the mystical experiences of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, and Ryuho Okawa, the founder of Happy Science. Smith’s vision is portrayed as a transcendent experience, marked by paradoxical elements and a dissolution of self, aligning with traditional religious mysticism. In contrast, Okawa’s experience is contained within the physical realm and emphasises the divine within the individual, reflecting characteristics of cultic experiences. The article concludes that the interpretation of the divine as either uncontainable or contained serves as a philosophical tool for distinguishing between religious and cultic traditions, respectively. This framework provides a basis for further research across a broader range of religious and cultic contexts.