The third worshipped a likeness of Nour himself, because it was he who had taught them [to make fire]. (Tales of the Dervishes, p.39)
The cult of personality.
It is unclear to me from The Story of Fire whether anyone in this third tribe retained the ability to use fire. Who do we give power to because of who they are? Perhaps they once did something for us or did something great for humanity even. Do they still deserve that power or prestige? Do we overlook their faults and shortcomings because of what they once did or the position they have?
Nour was a person who offered the people a skill. Great scientists and teachers are respected by us today. We can express our gratitude for what they have provided for us, but I don’t know of anyone who worships Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, or Stephen Hawking. There is the occasional religious zealot that convinces a group of people to follow him or her (Check out Unarius for something really off the wall and not too long ago). What do these leaders do or offer that creates a following?
I was raised in a Christian tradition, so the obvious application for me is Jesus. I have been around enough different Christians to know that at least some of them seem to have fallen into this third tribe. The primary point becomes a relationship with Jesus and not the application of his teachings. I don’t know enough about Islam to comment on Muhammad, but he would seem to be another candidate for study.
Whom have you put on a pedestal? Have you changed someone from a person into an object? How does that (or did that) change your relationship with that person?