- Source: Egotheism
Egotheism or autotheism is the deification or worship of the self. Critics of Johann Gottlieb Fichte and Ralph Waldo Emerson used the terms to label their transcendental philosophy. Autolatry is another synonym which was used to label the ideology of Max Stirner.
Ancient religions
Several Egyptian kings declared themselves gods during their reign. 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. The proto protestant Adamites believed in self-deification.
Modern religions
Early individuals who declared themselves to be gods include the English prophet John Robins and Danilo Filipov, who led a heterodox Quaker cult in Russia. Henry VIII was accused of autolatry after becoming a Protestant and establishing Anglicanism. After he reconverted to Protestantism, Jean-Jacques Rousseau advocated civil religion which was accused of inspiring self worship amongst citizenry.
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 with citizens bowing to his statues. After his death he was declared 'Eternal President' by the North Korean authorities. Contemporary figures who have professed themselves to be deities include Father Divine and Jim Jones. Mormonism is a religion that teaches self-deification.
See also
Apotheosis
Church of Satan
The Satanic Temple
Divinization
God complex
Retrocausality
Self religion
The Essence of Christianity
Theosis (Eastern Christian theology)
References
Peabody, Elizabeth Palmer. “Egotheism, the Atheism of To-Day” 1858, (reprinted in 1886 in her Last Evening with Allston)
