Religion is like a fandom, when you think about it. Compare it to our fandom, MLP... 1. Both have a central piece or body of work that is adorned Religion is usually based on their holy book. Our fandom is based on MLP:FiM 2. Each have a majority of individuals that take in this central material and apply it to their lives in some shape or form Each Religion has their set of moral codes, as well as whatever morals interpreted through their scriptures that people apply to their lives. Or at the very least, they discuss the topic superficially with others. (i.e: Are you a believer in ___?) MLP gets its morals from the end of each episode. We interpret these morals and use them in our lives. Or at the very least, it is discussed superficially with others. (i.e: Are you a brony?) 3. Likability towards the work is enforced. People often have it on their minds. Religion enforces their practices through prayer and reading their book (among other things). Religious practices/teachings is often on the forefront of their mind, or is discussed with others. Our fandom is enforced through headcanons, shipping, and theories (among other things). The fandom is often on the forefront of the mind, or is discussed with others. 4. Creativity is expressed towards the central idea. Religion usually has art, music, and writing, etc associated with it. Similarly, MLP has art, music and writing, etc associated with it. 5. Some individuals try to convert others. Religion spreads their messages to others through people highly devoted to it (priests, rabbis, etc.) Additionally, they may seek out others and tell them about religion in hopes to convert them. MLP spreads their messages to others through people highly devoted to it (bloggers, forumers, etc.) Additionally, they may seek out others and tell them about MLP in hopes to convert them. 6. The central work/idea is often twisted to ones selfish needs/desires. Religion is used, but not limited to starting fights among groups (wars, conflicts), used to gain capital (tax-free churches, mosques, etc.) or try to influence one's sexuality (i.e: abstinence) MLP is used, but not limited to starting fights among groups (flame wars, trolling), used gain capital (Hasbro's marketing scheme), or try to influence one's sexuality (i.e: rule 34) 7. A small minority represent these twisted ideas. These are often referred to as "extremists". Religion has extremists that interpret it as top law; above all. "If you don't believe in God, then you're going to hell." MLP has extremists that interpret it as the best fandom; above all. "If you don't watch MLP, then you must be a hater." 8. Similarly, there is another minority that show extreme dislike towards the central work/idea. They often believe that it is represented entirely by the extremists. "Anyone who believes in God is (insert insult here)." "Anyone who watches MLP is (insert insult here)." 9. The minorities who dislikes the group go out of their way to debunk or discredit them. Religion is often discredited by informing others of the extremists of the group. This extremism is highlighted and is often used as the central argument. MLP is often discredited by informing others of the extremists of the group. This extremism is highlighted and is often used as the central argument. 10. The other extremists retaliate by discrediting/debunking those who try to discredit them. They highlight their positive achievements to divert the argument. Religion will try to debunk/discredit information that might harm them. Additionally, they remind others of the goodness religion brought them (i.e: God saved my life, it teaches morals, etc.) MLP will try to debunk/discredit information that might harm them. Additionally, they remind others of the goodness MLPbrought them (i.e: MLP is not like the other shows, it teaches morals, etc.) 11. The majority of people (in general) refuse to associate with either form of extremism. 12. Media loves to show this extremism conflict. Hate crimes, religious conflicts, satire, news stories, etc. Hate crimes, bullying, satire, news stories, etc. 13. People have gotten hurt behind it Wars, persecution, hate crimes, etc Although not as extreme, MLP has caused physical harm due to fighting among groups. Bullying and suicide are the most notable. ____________________________________________ This is simply a list of observations I've made. If I've missed something, or if you have an opinion, post here. Also, it goes without saying that this thread is not for debating whether you think religion is right or wrong. That is not the point of this thread. As an additional note, this is purely my opinion. I'm not knocking down MLP or religion, but simply comparing the two.
This is all incredibly missing the point. Religion is worshipping a deity. All of the things you have listed are just consequence of many people worshipping said deity. If MLP is that for you, you've got some problems. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
How dare you imply that being a Brony is my religion?! I happen to be a devout Whovian, thank you very much.
I think I have not made myself clear. I am not saying MLP is something you worship; I'm highlighting the problems that religion shares with MLP. (or any fandom, for that matter) They are similar in that there are projected dualities, and those dualities are destructive. Religion suffers credibility (aside from any scientific facts. No debates here) because a small minority give it a bad image. MLP is similar in that we also have a minority that gives US a bad image. In short, they both suffer from similar problems. But why should you care? To have a better understanding of why things may/may not happen, and more importantly, that nothing we've seen is ever new.
You are correct. The only difference that I would see would be in terms of scale. Beliefs systems are powerful ways to bring people together. At a certain level of population it will take on a life and direction of its own. There comes a time when enough people believe in something strongly enough, it will be able to stand on its own. Many popular stories have gained a fandom that has turned into a sub-sect of religion. (Some pagans use the Lord of the Rings mythos as the frame for their particular philosophy for instance.) Stories are powerful things. The ideas that they spawn can change the world given enough time. There is nothing wrong with this, it is the natural way of things. - - Auto Merge - - A religion does not have to have a deity. Buddhism is a good example. (There is no source in Buddhism, divine or otherwise.) Dualistic religions tend to have a humanizing and dehumanizing division. The enemy is not human, somehow. The Black Mass is a reflection/inversion of the Catholic Mass. All enemies are to be subjugated, converted or destroyed. Look to the news IRL to see what a dualistic outlook on life will do. I do not think that MLP will become a religion. It has a large fan base. A lot of people are thinking about it, talking about it, working on it, etc. It does have a duality, which does cause problems. Duality causes division, when in reality, life is not made of clear cut duality at all. It is all a matter of perspective. One should always be able to make one's own way in the world. Cause and Effect is one of the rules of the universe, and one of the few I actually follow.
So then what's the point of comparison? They share similar problems, fine. But there is no core correlation. I could say that X fandom is similar in ways to any X group and list comparisons. The way I see it is if there isn't a comparison between the core reason that religion exists with fandom then it's very much apples and oranges. Just my thoughts. And if you really wanna get into why each has a bad image, the similarity dives off a cliff instantly. Was generalizing. If it makes you feel better; "...worship a deity in theistic religion or collectively practicing principles and traditions in a non-theistic religion." Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
To bring light to two things: 1. To provide a plausible explanation as to why the MLP fandom faces resistance. It faces resistance because it is a common problem among many groups (religion, being the biggest one we know) 2. To show that this is not new. Ever heard of the idiom "History repeats itself?" MLP's fandom problems is a microcosm of any idea/story/tale/etc introduced that is controversial. When it reaches a big enough number, you get those for and against. And as those numbers grow, the stakes get higher. I hope that clears up anything that might confuse you. If not, feel free to ask.
The causation for these problems are so different though, there is nothing to learn that will lead to any sort of solution other than to censor yourself. MLP fandom is disliked by many because of stereotyping which exists for every possible position, culture, physical feature, etc because it must be so; because people are moronic. You aren't going to learn much from looking to why other groups face these problems other than that everyone is ignorant and stereotypical in some way. My confusion lies within your reasoning is all, though really I don't consider it to be confusion.
This entire thread is irrational Most have some explanation for how the universe was made and why we're here and all that.
We're not here to discuss whether religion is wrong or right. This thread does not seek to answer that question.
Ok, thanks for the explanation. I can see where you are coming from now. - - Auto Merge - - From what I can get, the thread is about how fan followings and belief systems can have some similarities.
Religion is like a fandom in that both concepts were invented by humans as well as being observed by humans and can be compared and contrasted by their shared characteristics, in a process which reveals no data of consequence to any significant action or understanding. In other words, one may compare apples and oranges, but without some philosophical conclusion the observation of their shared characteristics is lacking in substance. Even if we accept your premise that religion and "fandoms" are similar, what then? An argument built on such debatable observations needs more direction than simply answering a "yes" or "no" question. EDIT: Ah, I see you have already addressed these points. Then I will move on: You seem to be implying that the purpose of addressing a similarity between fandoms and religion is for findings you may uncover in the process. In other words, you're elaborating on a kind of social conflict theory? That's fair, if a bit tautological. You're choosing to compare fandoms to religions for the purpose of illuminating general characteristics of historical controversy, while simultaneously using the premise of those historical controversies to support the correlation of fandoms and religions. For that reason, I think your argument may be driven more by a just ethical review of fandoms, religions and the treatment of those within the aforementioned groups than by a desire for historical findings. Perhaps that ethical approach would be more appropriate, if we are to continue.
Interesting perspective. Not exactly how I see it, but still interesting. But, I had to look up the various definitions for religion. The most fitting one that may apply to a fandom was, "a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith". That is from Merriam-Webster. But I am still reluctant to try to make the comparison, even though when I officially joined the brony fandom it felt almost like a religious experience. It is hard to describe.
