The Physiology of Faith by N. Fakhr - HTML preview

Becoming Sacred

Sometimes the people around a cleric, or his followers, tell stories of miracles and extraordinary deeds attributed to him—events that, if true, could seemingly have occurred only if the cleric enjoyed divine favor and support. As I discussed in earlier sections of this book, believing such stories can lead believers to regard the cleric as someone approved and protected by their God. And because they believe that God is present and aware of their thoughts, the more ancient parts of their brain prevent the higher regions from critically examining or doubting the cleric’s words and actions. We previously referred to this state as sacredness.

The cleric now becomes sacred in the minds of those believers who accept these stories. All that is required is for him never to comment on the stories circulating about him—neither confirming nor denying them. His silence alone may be interpreted as confirmation, completing the process by which the cleric acquires sacred status.

If people kiss the cleric’s hand to receive a blessing, eat the remains of his food, or ask him to place his hand on them or their children as a blessing—and if he does not refuse or object—these actions by his followers themselves become a model for others. They may also serve as evidence for those whose sense of knowledge and certainty is shaped by such collective behavior. If, in the meantime, someone’s illness happens to improve by chance or through the placebo effect discussed earlier, after receiving the cleric’s prayer or touch, stories of his miracles and extraordinary powers may multiply and circulate more widely, establishing his sacred status in the minds of still more people. For these believers, the cleric may then become sacred and effectively infallible. If asked explicitly whether they consider him infallible, they might verbally answer no. In practice, however, they may treat his words and actions exactly as they would those of an infallible person: as entirely right and justified, allowing themselves no doubt about their correctness.

Under such circumstances, although many of the cleric’s followers may explain their obedience by pointing to their own lack of knowledge and his superior knowledge, this explanation is put to the test when another knowledgeable specialist—or even another cleric—disagrees with their sacred cleric. They may still side with the cleric they regard as sacred, allowing virtually no possibility that the other cleric or expert might be right.

At this point, the cleric has the potential to establish a new denomination or sect within the original religion, or to demonstrate his political power in pursuit of changes he wishes to bring about.