Traditional millennialisms rest on canon and defined traditions rather than free assembly

Evidence

The traditional religious and secularideological styles have now been joined by a third variety, which I call the improvisational style. Religious and secular millennialism, however different they are from each other, have two common characteristics: each one’s adherents consciously place it within a well-defi ned tradition, often positioning it as an alternative to some reigning orthodoxy; and each is centered on a body of canonical literature or teaching (e.g., the Bible or Marx’s writings), whose exegesis is believed to illuminate the essence of history. — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy, 108

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines the improvisational millennial ‘style’ by contrast with religious and secular styles that anchor on canon and tradition.
• XREF: connects to: Conspiracism and millennialism relate but not causally or simply — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic…, 103; Tradition-bound millennialisms restrict conspiracy ideas to those their own canon allows — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic…, 109