... this could happen. Particularly in Mystical paradigms, but also in most religions, the religious leaders control their follower's beliefs, by telling them what to believe. This is paramount to telling them what to think, as Antonio Machado says; "Under all that we think, lives all that we believe, like the ultimate veil of our spirits." As religious beliefs do not rely on empirical knowledge, "facts" that are repeatedly drilled into congregations and religious followers become accepted as the truth. For example, during the crusades, which occurred from the 11th to the 13th centuries A.D., thousands of people died because of their belief that the Saracens (Arabs, non-Christians) should be evicted from Jerusalem and the Holy Land, which was a belief instilled by the church. Of course, for non-religious people this does not apply, however, it is still possible for figures in positions of power (those with "authority"), to preach to the ...

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