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] and as an accusation towards Henry VIII.[12][13]

Ancient religions

Several Egyptian kings declared themselves gods during their reign.[14] 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.[15]

Modern religions

Founder of North Korea Kim Il-Sung instituted worship of himself amongst the citizens and it is considered the only country to deify its ruler.[16][17][18] Early individuals that declared themselves to be god include Englishman John Robins (prophet) and Danilo Filipov, who led a heterodox Quaker cult in Russia.[19][20] Contemporary figures who have professed themselves to be deities include Father Divine and Jim Jones.[21] Mormonism is a religion that teaches self deification.[22]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Egotheism definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary".
  2. ^ "Definition of AUTOTHEISM".
  3. ^ "Autolatry definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary".
  4. ^ Versluis, Arthur (September 16, 1993). American Transcendentalism and Asian Religions. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-536037-0 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ "The Contemporary Review". A. Strahan. October 2, 1868 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ Hurth, Elisabeth (August 30, 2007). Between Faith and Unbelief: American Transcendentalists and the Challenge of Atheism. BRILL. ISBN 9789047421269 – 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. ^ Routledge Library Editions: Historiography. Routledge Library Editions: Historiography. Taylor & Francis. 2021. p. 17-PA186. ISBN 978-1-317-26808-6. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  13. ^ Oman, C.W.C. (2018). Revival: The Sixteenth Century (1936). Routledge Revivals. Taylor & Francis. p. 106. ISBN 978-1-351-34170-7. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  14. ^ Sabbahy, Lisa K. (April 24, 2019). All Things Ancient Egypt: An Encyclopedia of the Ancient Egyptian World [2 volumes]. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781440855139 – via Google Books.
  15. ^ Orr, Norman (January 29, 2021). Embracing Biological Humanism: Abandoning the Idea of God. Archway Publishing. ISBN 9781480898684 – via Google Books.
  16. ^ He, K.; Feng, H. (2013). Prospect Theory and Foreign Policy Analysis in the Asia Pacific: Rational Leaders and Risky Behavior. Foreign Policy Analysis. Taylor & Francis. p. 62. ISBN 978-1-135-13119-7. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  17. ^ Floru, JP (2017). The Sun Tyrant: A Nightmare Called North Korea. Biteback Publishing. p. 7. ISBN 978-1-78590-288-8. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  18. ^ Vantage Point. Naewoe Press. 1982. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  19. ^ Delany, P. (2015). British Autobiography in the Seventeenth Century. Routledge Library Editions: Autobiography. Taylor & Francis. p. 94. ISBN 978-1-317-37621-7. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  20. ^ de Lazari, A. (1999). Идеи в России. Idee w Rosji (in Russian). Semper. ISBN 978-83-907031-8-3. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  21. ^ "10 Real People Who Became Gods". September 2, 2016.
  22. ^ Hewitt, Hugh (March 12, 2007). A Mormon in the White House?: 10 Things Every Conservative Should Know About Mitt Romney. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9781596980488 – via Google Books.
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