Ahmadiyya Movement — Page 61
61 use the organisation and the traditions of the community in aid of his own purposes, and his task is thus rendered very easy. A similar advantage may be derived by a person who belongs to a family or tribe in whom are bound up the religions hopes of the people. Fifthly, Place. A religion may derive considerable help from the fact that the place of its origin is for some reason or other, a place of common resort, for instance, it may be the capital of a country, or a great market, or a religious centre, or a great harbor, or may possess some scientific, archeological, political religious, social, intellectual or other similar attraction. Such a religion is at once brought to the notice of the public and acquires immediate pub- licity, which promotes its spread. Sixthly, Association. Another factor which may contribute to- wards the spread of a religion is its being bound up with the po- litical, financial or other needs of the people. Such a religion would also find a ready acceptance owing to such association. Seventhly, License. A religion which does not insist upon con- formity to spiritual injunctions for the reform of society, but emphasises mere belief in a particular doctrine or allegiance to a particular individual and leaves its followers free in other mat- ters to act as they please, would also be accepted readily by a certain class of people as it affords them complete liberty of ac- tion. Eighthly stimulation of Fancy. Some religions seek acceptance by stimulating people’s fancy by means of the use of powerful drugs or the exercise of mesmeric powers, or by presenting to a dulled mind the delights of a fanciful paradise or the horrors of an imaginary hell, and thus acquire such a powerful hold over their followers that the latter can never shake off the influence of such religion, but, on the contrary, help in ensnaring others in its meshes.