The blurry line between religious and crazy

And there, in a rather neat nutshell, is the psychology of religion.
When a "charismatic" cult leader convinces his followers to do good or do wrong, this is precisely the mindset he is preying on.

But when that person invokes God as their instructor/reference/inspiration that goes beyond the person or their credentials.
It is a rather effective way of disabusing themselfves of any responsibility for what follows.When the words "God told me.." are inserted before an instruction, desire, ideology or whatever, the devotee is far less likely to question it, as your original post suggested it makes you "want " to agree with it. Whether it be a song choice, a view on alterative lifestyles or incitement to war. Yes.
I mean, can anything that requires its followers to follow an archaic set of laws, (incorporating mysogyny, homophobia and sometimes genocide), many of which have little relevance to modern society, with the penalty for disobedience being some kind of unknowable eternal fiery torture at the hands of an unimaginably evil horned demon, be described as anything other than manipulation?Edited by Heathen, : No reason given.