Egotheism

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Egotheism or autotheism is the

deification or worship of the self.[1][2][3] Critics of Johann Gottlieb Fichte and Ralph Waldo Emerson used the terms to label their transcendental philosophy.[4][5][6][7] Autolatry is another synonym which was used to label the ideology of Max Stirner.[8][9][10][11]

Ancient religions

Several Egyptian kings declared themselves gods during their reign.[12] Identification of the atman (self) with Brahman is a tenet of some sects of Hinduism. In Jainism, one who extinguishes all of their karmas becomes a tirthankara with godlike knowledge and powers.[13] The proto protestant Adamites[14] believed in self deification.[15]

Modern religions

Early individuals who declared themselves to be gods include the English prophet John Robins and Danilo Filipov, who led a heterodox Quaker cult in Russia.[16][17] Henry VIII was accused of autolatry after becoming a Protestant and establishing Anglicanism.[18][19][20] After he reconverted to Protestantism, Jean-Jacques Rousseau advocated civil religion which was accused of inspiring self worship amongst citizenry.[21][22][23][24][25]

Founder of

Kim Il Sung instituted worship of himself amongst the citizens and it is considered the only country to deify its ruler with citizens bowing to his statues.[26][27][28][29] After his death he was declared 'Eternal President' by the North Korean authorities. Contemporary figures who have professed themselves to be deities include Father Divine and Jim Jones.[30] Mormonism is a religion that teaches self-deification.[31]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Egotheism definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary".
  2. ^ "Definition of AUTOTHEISM".
  3. ^ "Autolatry definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary".
  4. – via Google Books.
  5. ^ "The Contemporary Review". A. Strahan. October 2, 1868 – via Google Books.
  6. – via Google Books.
  7. ^ Woodress, James Leslie (October 3, 2004). "American Literary Scholarship". Duke University Press – via Google Books.
  8. ^ Murray, James Augustus Henry (1888). "A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles".
  9. ^ "Lippincott's Monthly Magazine". 1868.
  10. ^ Janet, Paul (October 5, 1866). "The Materialism of the Present Day: A Critique of Dr. Büchner's System". H. Baillière – via Google Books.
  11. ^ Methodist Episcopal Church (1865). The Methodist Quarterly Review. American periodical series, 1800-1850. G. Lane and P.P. Sanford. p. 32. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  12. – via Google Books.
  13. – via Google Books.
  14. . Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  15. . Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  16. . Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  17. . Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  18. . Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  19. . Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  20. . Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  21. . Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  22. . Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  23. . Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  24. ^ University of Prince Edward Island (1978). Canadian Review of Studies in Nationalism: Revue Canadienne Des Études Sur Le Nationalisme (in French). University of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  25. . Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  26. . Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  27. . Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  28. ^ Vantage Point. Naewoe Press. 1982. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  29. . Retrieved 2023-08-06.
  30. ^ "10 Real People Who Became Gods". September 2, 2016.
  31. – via Google Books.
  • Peabody, Elizabeth Palmer. “Egotheism, the Atheism of To-Day” 1858, (reprinted in 1886 in her Last Evening with Allston)