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I think the persecution complex may be central to the more fundamentalist kinds of religious beliefs, or political ideologies. That fear creates the bonding and identity of the group, until even the most absurd beliefs are shared by all the group, including supernatural entities that also seek to persecute them.
If the group becomes a powerful majority, then persecution not only extends to scapegoats but even among the people of the same religion or ideology. The powerful forces of the group require the need for invisible persecutors to sustain it.
It does not explain all religion or delusions though, but it goes a long way to explain the psychology of fundamentalism.
Permalink Sat, 24 Mar 2012 01:21:55 UTC | #930019