>> Given such parallels, I do not see the Perfecti doctrines precluding the
>> Perfecti from being a mystical cult.
>My understanding is that yes, the Perfecti is originally a mystic cult,
>which has been joined, however, by a whole bunch of non-mystics, (someone
>pointed out that mystic countries always end up being invaded; it's the
same >with religious organisations ...) who have already deformed it, 'cos
they can >only understand the trite, literal meaning of the theology.
>From whence comes your impression that 'non-mystics' have invaded the
Perfecti? The writeup does not imply that and the Perfecti are _very_
new having sprung up only within the last thirty years or so.
>I'd still make a parallel with the Franciscans, Albigensians, and other
>catholic cults or heresies which attempted a purer, better form of the
>religion, and ended up as variations of catholic dogma, or lots of dead
>bodies, variously.
Or protestants FWIW. But take the Albigensian Cathars which is probably the closest parallel to what you're postulating (and which is the origin of the 'Perfecti'). Given that the Perfecti are opposed to any hierachy whatsoever, it seems implausible that they would have a mystic elect and a materialist body of believers (which is what I understand you to mean by 'non-mystics').
In the future, the Perfecti may evolve into communities run along such lines (I don't think it has happened yet - you are welcome to disagree). In such circumstances, I would feel the believers would still be mystics although their mystical understanding is meagre.
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