Cults and Agoraphobia

By Ibheru Kanebmau

In today’s world, governed by Abrahamic ideals, any space incongruent with those beliefs is quickly categorized with derogatory labels like  “cult” and dismissed as “pagan”. This reveals an instilled knee-jerk reaction to the unknown and an “Us vs. Them” approach to problem-solving. Is this not the same approach and reaction that led to the most shameful acts of humanity? 

Looking back through history, we can see various examples that litter the path that have brought us to where humanity is today. Take the Spanish Inquisition, led by the Catholic Church, or the centuries-long slave trade of African men and women, driven by Muslim empires and the European churches of Jesus and Mary. We must also remember the mass genocide of Indigenous American populations at the hands of the Conquistadors.  These prejudices toward “others”  found within these faiths are baked deeply into the descendants of their believers, such that even those who no longer practice these religions still struggle to let go of their fear of “others.” We have all been infected with new ideals that seem to turn us against each other. 

This is where the mission of Rising Firefly Productions resounds loudly. “We believe that by going back to the origins of civilization, we will bring unity among all people.” This eliminates the “Us vs Them” prejudice that we’ve found ourselves trapped in – a dilemma that has cost us many lives and much unnecessary suffering. Going back to the origin of all modern faiths eliminates the “Us vs. Them” prejudice because it belongs to ALL of us.

Incidentally, this article’s contribution to the Rising Firefly was inspired by a comment from a visitor at one of our Kebtah locations, stating that they’ve always been looking for the knowledge and wisdom of the Dogon and Kemetic temples, but was afraid that our temple was some kind of cult. This is where the term agoraphobia comes in. It was once a death sentence for Africans, Latinos, or Native Americans to talk about, believe in, or even visit a place where a higher entity other than the God of the Bible, Jesus, or Mary was being discussed. This has bred agoraphobia over generations. 

Agoraphobia is a term used to describe the sense of fear or anxiety felt by simply thinking of going to anything other than a Church or Mosque, and the feeling that you would be killed or disowned by your own family for doing such a thing. This reminded me of the first time I posed that question to myself. It was when my parents told me, “You better not be going to no cult,” after I stopped going to church. I felt a deep sense of dread and fear that my family would abandon me. This inspired the question: What’s a cult? By definition, a cult is “a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.” The word has been used for a long time and not always in a derogatory way.  But focusing on the contemporary use of the word, this definition was immediately interesting to me because that would make the Christian church a Cult of Jesus Christ, the Catholic church a cult of Mary, and Islam the cult of Allah. Actually, that would make ALL monotheistic faiths cults. This definition, however, doesn't adequately define the diverse polytheistic systems of spiritual education and worship found throughout the indigenous world.  It is these ancient spiritual systems that have been labeled pagan, infidelious, or even satanic by the true cults: the colonial faiths.  Yet, it is these colonial cults that have been behind, sponsored, or legitimized the most destructive empires in recorded history.

Today, I can say that my family did not abandon me. I received a little push back, but after they saw my evolution in maturity, responsibility, accountability, knowledge, wisdom, and family building, there are no problems as far as I can see. To me, this reflects a shift in attitudes within the traditionally conservative Southern states of America. Let it be known that Kebtah comes as an organization representing a mission of the most ancient culture of humanity being brought to the West by the world-renowned Dogon tribe and the surviving Kemetic Temples. If ever there was to be an opportune time to close the gaps in your knowledge or return to the original traditions, culture, and practices of humanity, that time is now. And if you ask me, accessing the authentic culture of Meritah (Africa) through the Kebtah membership is the best way to do it!