Positive Thinking As A Modern-Day Capitalist Religion
There are plenty of the new Mega Churches along with positive thinking gurus that proclaim the benefits of positive thinking. The question is has this become a natural offshoot for religion, a new religion or simply a way to make money. Let’s take a look at all three.
First, is positive thinking simply a way to make money. The most obvious answer is yes. There are much more companies and individuals out there who are making millions helping people to “improve” their thinking. Is this a bad thing, not necessarily nor is it necessarily a good thing. The world of positive thinking books, videos and experts is filled with sinner and saints. So while something that is free is not always good or bad neither is something that costs $200 per hour either good or bad.
Take the time to research anything or anyone before you give them your money. Check with the Better Business Bureau for ratings, comments or complaints. Pay with PayPal or a credit card in the event you have a problem. Do not get caught up in the hype.
Second has positive thinking become the new religion? First let’s just look at the results when we search the question “What is Religion?”
” Religion is a collection of cultural & belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions, and also sacred histories intended to give meaning to life or explain the origins of the life or the universe. They tend to derive morality, ethics, religious laws or a preferred lifestyle from their ideas about the cosmos and human nature.”
The above is the result provided to us by http://en.wikipedia.org. Based on this definition it could be the beginnings if not the actual start of a new religion. Time will tell if it begins to evolve into a true religion in fact. Still the rise and fall of programs like “The Secret” is an example of how over the years specific programs in the realm of positive thinking. Still the concept continues to be popular in different forms and incarnations. Still it does not at this point rise to a level I would consider more than a movement.
The third question is would the positive thinking movement be a natural offshoot of religion. This seems to be a natural progression. Most traditional religions believe that there is one god or several gods who are positive and want to help mankind. So it is natural that people would gravitate towards this philosophy. Still many mainstream religions disagree with the positive thinking thought process because they feel it overlooks the responsibility factor. These religions look at the positive thinking movement as glossing over the cause and effect factor.
