15.1 Defining New Religious Movements

Cults are often defined as religious groups that are seen as unorthodox or deviant, typically with a strong emphasis on a charismatic leader and distinct beliefs or practices that set them apart from mainstream religions. They often attract followers through intense socialization, and their members may exhibit high levels of commitment, which can lead to isolation from family, friends, and society at large. Understanding cults is crucial in the context of new religious movements, as they represent the more controversial and misunderstood facets of these emerging spiritual groups.

New Religious Movements: Religious groups that have emerged recently and are often characterized by innovative beliefs or practices that differ from established religions.

Charismatic Leader: An individual who inspires loyalty and devotion among followers due to their personal qualities, often seen in cults and new religious movements.

Deprogramming: A process aimed at persuading individuals to leave a cult and return to mainstream society, often involving intervention by family or friends.

Sects are religious groups that have broken away from a larger mainstream religion, often characterized by their distinct beliefs, practices, and leadership. They typically form as a response to perceived shortcomings or differences in the parent religion, emphasizing their own interpretation of faith and doctrine.

Denomination: A recognized autonomous branch of the Christian church, which may share core beliefs with other denominations while maintaining distinct practices.

Cult: A term often used to describe a religious group that is considered to be outside of mainstream beliefs and may involve extreme devotion to a leader or ideology.

Schism: A division or split within a religious community, often leading to the formation of sects as factions disagree over beliefs or practices.

Denominations are distinct religious groups within a larger faith tradition that share core beliefs but differ in practices, governance, and interpretations of doctrines. These divisions can emerge from historical, cultural, or theological disagreements, leading to the development of unique identities while still being part of the overarching religion.

Sect: A smaller group that has broken away from a larger denomination, often with more radical beliefs or practices.

Orthodoxy: The adherence to established doctrines or beliefs of a particular faith, often contrasted with denominations that may have more flexible interpretations.

Ecumenism: The movement aimed at promoting unity and cooperation among different Christian denominations.

A charismatic leader is an individual who possesses a compelling charm or appeal that inspires devotion and enthusiasm among followers. These leaders often create strong emotional connections with their followers, which can lead to the formation of new religious movements where personal authority plays a significant role in shaping beliefs and practices. Charismatic leaders are often seen as visionaries and can mobilize people through their compelling messages and charismatic presence.

New Religious Movement: A religious community or ethical system that has emerged relatively recently, often in response to social, cultural, or political changes.

Cult of Personality: A phenomenon where a public figure uses mass media and propaganda to create an idealized and heroic image of themselves.

Spiritual Authority: The power or influence over others in a spiritual context, often derived from perceived divine guidance or insight.

Peoples Temple was a religious organization founded in the 1950s by Jim Jones, known for its progressive social values and eventual tragic mass suicide in 1978. The group aimed to create a utopian society based on principles of socialism, racial equality, and communal living, ultimately attracting thousands of followers. However, it became infamous due to the catastrophic events in Jonestown, Guyana, where over 900 members died.

Jim Jones: The charismatic leader and founder of Peoples Temple who preached a message of social justice and equality, but ultimately led his followers to tragedy.

Jonestown: The remote settlement in Guyana established by Peoples Temple where the mass suicide took place, symbolizing the extreme consequences of cult behavior and manipulation.

Mass Suicide: The collective act of taking one's life by a group, which in the case of Peoples Temple involved the consumption of poisoned Kool-Aid, highlighting severe psychological manipulation.

Jehovah's Witnesses is a Christian denomination known for its distinct beliefs, particularly regarding the use of God's name, which they believe to be Jehovah. This group is recognized as a major new religious movement that emerged from the Bible Student movement in the late 19th century, with a strong emphasis on evangelism, door-to-door preaching, and an interpretation of biblical prophecies that significantly differs from mainstream Christianity.

Watch Tower Society: The Watch Tower Society is the main legal entity used by Jehovah's Witnesses for publishing their literature and coordinating their activities worldwide.

Kingdom Hall: A Kingdom Hall is the place of worship for Jehovah's Witnesses where they gather for meetings, study sessions, and communal worship.

Disfellowshipping: Disfellowshipping is a practice in Jehovah's Witnesses where individuals who violate the organization's moral standards are excommunicated and shunned by members.

Methodists are members of a Christian denomination that originated in the 18th century as a reform movement within the Church of England, emphasizing personal faith, social justice, and the importance of community. The movement was founded by John Wesley and his brother Charles Wesley, who aimed to promote a methodical approach to faith and spirituality, focusing on systematic study of the Bible and engagement in charitable works.

John Wesley: The co-founder of Methodism, he was an Anglican cleric and theologian who emphasized personal piety and social action.

Arminianism: A theological stance that emphasizes free will in salvation, closely associated with Methodism's belief in personal choice in faith.

Circuit Riders: Preachers in early American Methodism who traveled on horseback to deliver sermons and establish congregations in rural areas.

Baptists are a group of Christian denominations that emphasize believer's baptism, which is the practice of baptizing individuals who have made a personal confession of faith. This group is characterized by their commitment to religious freedom, autonomy of local congregations, and a strong emphasis on the authority of Scripture in matters of faith and practice.

Believer's Baptism: The practice of baptizing individuals who are able to profess their faith in Jesus Christ, contrasting with infant baptism.

Congregationalism: A system of church governance where each congregation is independent and self-governing, a principle highly valued by Baptists.

Sola Scriptura: A doctrine that asserts the Bible as the sole infallible source of authority for Christian faith and practice, central to Baptist beliefs.

The Amish are a group of traditionalist Christian communities known for their simple living, plain dress, and reluctance to adopt modern technology. They stem from the Anabaptist movement of the 16th century and emphasize a communal lifestyle, strong family values, and a deep commitment to their faith, often in opposition to mainstream society.

Anabaptism: A Christian movement that emerged in the 16th century advocating for adult baptism and a separation from state control of religion.

Plain People: A broader term used to describe various religious groups that practice similar lifestyles to the Amish, including the Mennonites and Hutterites, characterized by modest dress and avoidance of modern technology.

Ordnung: The set of unwritten rules and guidelines that govern the daily life and practices of the Amish community, determining everything from dress codes to technology use.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice that combines meditation, slow-moving exercises, and moral teachings centered on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. It emerged in China in the early 1990s and gained rapid popularity as a new religious movement, often noted for its emphasis on self-cultivation and personal improvement, as well as its tensions with the Chinese government.

Qigong: A holistic practice involving meditation, breathing techniques, and physical exercises to cultivate life energy (qi) and improve health.

Zhen-Shan-Ren: The core values of Falun Gong, which translate to 'Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance,' guiding practitioners in their moral development.

Persecution: The severe oppression and crackdown on Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese government beginning in 1999, which has led to widespread human rights abuses.

Syncretism is the blending or merging of different religious beliefs, practices, and traditions to create a new, cohesive system. This phenomenon often occurs when cultures interact, leading to the incorporation of elements from one faith into another, thereby facilitating coexistence and adaptation. It highlights the fluidity of religious identity and showcases how belief systems evolve over time through contact and exchange.

Religious Pluralism: The acceptance and coexistence of multiple religions within a society, allowing individuals to practice their faith without persecution.

Cultural Assimilation: The process in which a minority group adopts the customs and attitudes of the dominant culture, often leading to a loss of original cultural identity.

New Religious Movements: Spiritual or religious groups that have emerged relatively recently, often incorporating diverse elements from existing religions while presenting new beliefs and practices.

Cao Dai is a syncretic religious movement founded in Vietnam in the early 20th century, combining elements of Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, Confucianism, and native Vietnamese beliefs. It seeks to promote unity among different religions while advocating for social harmony and moral living, illustrating the nature of new religious movements that emerge as responses to cultural and spiritual needs in society.

Syncretism: The blending of different religious beliefs and practices into a cohesive system, which is a key characteristic of Cao Dai.

Spiritism: A belief in the ability to communicate with spirits, which plays a significant role in Cao Dai rituals and practices.

Vietnamese Spirituality: The set of traditional beliefs and practices of Vietnam that influence many aspects of Cao Dai's teachings and rituals.

Eclecticism is a philosophical and artistic approach that combines elements from various schools of thought, traditions, or practices to create a new, cohesive understanding or style. This approach is especially relevant in the context of new religious movements, where individuals often draw from diverse religious and spiritual traditions to form personalized belief systems that resonate with their experiences and needs.

Syncretism: The blending of different religious beliefs and practices, often resulting in the creation of new faith systems that incorporate elements from multiple traditions.

Pluralism: A worldview that acknowledges and accepts the coexistence of multiple religious beliefs and practices within a society, promoting respect for diversity.

New Religious Movement (NRM): A term used to describe religious groups or movements that have emerged relatively recently, often characterized by innovative beliefs, practices, and organizational structures.

L. Ron Hubbard was an American author and the founder of Scientology, a new religious movement that emerged in the early 1950s. He is known for his writings on philosophy, self-improvement, and the nature of the human mind, particularly through his seminal work, 'Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.' Hubbard's teachings emphasize the potential for spiritual advancement and personal freedom through a unique set of beliefs and practices.

Scientology: A religion founded by L. Ron Hubbard that teaches the path to spiritual enlightenment through a series of counseling sessions and self-study.

Dianetics: A set of ideas and practices related to mental health developed by L. Ron Hubbard, aimed at addressing the human mind's issues and achieving personal clarity.

Thetan: In Scientology, a thetan is considered the true spiritual essence of a person, believed to be immortal and separate from the body and mind.

Scientology is a set of religious beliefs and practices created by L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1950s, which emphasizes the spiritual rehabilitation of individuals through a process called auditing. The movement is known for its unique approach to mental health, self-improvement, and the belief in a spiritual being known as the 'thetan' that transcends the physical body. It also incorporates elements of Eastern religions and Western psychology, making it a significant example of a new religious movement.

Auditing: A core practice in Scientology where individuals engage in one-on-one sessions with an auditor to identify and address spiritual traumas and experiences.

Thetan: In Scientology, a thetan is the spiritual essence of an individual, considered to be immortal and distinct from the physical body.

Dianetics: A system developed by L. Ron Hubbard that serves as the foundation for Scientology, focusing on mental health through techniques aimed at eliminating negative experiences.

Osho, formerly known as Rajneesh, was an Indian spiritual leader and founder of the Rajneesh movement, which gained international prominence in the 1970s and 1980s. Rajneeshpuram was a commune established in Oregon, where followers sought to create a utopian community based on Osho's teachings that emphasized meditation, love, and a rejection of traditional societal norms. This movement exemplifies the characteristics of new religious movements, particularly in its countercultural stance and communal living arrangements.

Rajneesh Movement: A spiritual movement founded by Osho that promotes meditation, mindfulness, and a radical approach to spirituality, challenging conventional social and religious beliefs.

New Religious Movement (NRM): A term used to describe religious groups that have emerged relatively recently, often presenting alternative beliefs and practices outside mainstream religions.

Utopian Communities: Social groups that aim to create an ideal society based on specific philosophical or religious principles, often characterized by communal living and shared resources.

Millenarianism is the belief in a coming transformation of society, often tied to a specific period, typically a thousand years, when a significant change or event will lead to a utopian existence. This concept is closely associated with various religious movements that anticipate a divine intervention that will dramatically alter the world and its moral order, making it relevant in understanding new religious movements and their motivations.

Apocalypse: A prophetic revelation concerning the end of the world and the ultimate destiny of humanity, often linked to millenarian beliefs.

Messianism: The belief in a messiah or savior figure who will deliver people from oppression and establish a new era of peace and prosperity.

Revivalism: A movement aimed at rekindling religious fervor and commitment, often leading to new interpretations of faith that can include millenarian views.

Heaven's Gate was a religious movement founded in the early 1970s, which combined elements of Christianity, New Age beliefs, and science fiction. It gained notoriety in 1997 when 39 members committed mass suicide, believing they would ascend to a spaceship following the Hale-Bopp comet. This tragic event highlights the complexities and dangers associated with new religious movements.

New Religious Movement: A spiritual or religious group that has emerged relatively recently and often diverges from traditional beliefs, frequently characterized by unique doctrines and practices.

Mass Suicide: The act of multiple individuals committing suicide simultaneously, often associated with cults or extreme ideological groups.

UFO Religion: A belief system that incorporates elements of extraterrestrial life and UFO phenomena into spiritual or religious frameworks, often presenting aliens as benevolent beings.

The Millerites were a religious movement that emerged in the early 19th century in the United States, founded by William Miller, who predicted the Second Coming of Christ would occur on October 22, 1844. This group is often seen as a significant part of the development of new religious movements, as they represented a fusion of evangelical Christianity and millenarian beliefs, drawing followers who were eager for spiritual renewal and social change during a time of uncertainty.

William Miller: The Baptist preacher who founded the Millerite movement, known for his calculations predicting the imminent return of Jesus Christ.

Adventism: A branch of Christianity that arose from the Millerite movement, emphasizing the anticipation of Christ's second coming and often associated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Great Disappointment: The term used to describe the aftermath of October 22, 1844, when Christ did not return as predicted by the Millerites, leading to a crisis of faith among followers.

The Great Disappointment of 1844 refers to the significant event in American religious history when a large group of Millerites, followers of William Miller, anticipated the Second Coming of Christ on October 22, 1844, but were left disillusioned when it did not occur. This event not only marked a pivotal moment in the development of new religious movements but also led to the establishment of various sects and interpretations that emerged in response to this unfulfilled prophecy.

William Miller: A Baptist preacher who founded the Millerite movement and predicted the Second Coming of Christ in the early 19th century.

Seventh-day Adventism: A Christian denomination that emerged from the Millerite movement, emphasizing the imminent return of Christ and observing Saturday as the Sabbath.

Apocalypticism: A belief system centered around the end times and the imminent return of a messianic figure, often associated with prophecies in religious texts.

Revitalization movements are social and religious movements aimed at creating a new vision of society, often in response to perceived crises or dissatisfaction with the existing social order. These movements typically seek to restore or enhance traditional practices, beliefs, and values, and can lead to significant cultural transformations. They often emerge among communities experiencing social upheaval, cultural dislocation, or colonization, as a way to reclaim identity and assert agency.

Cultural Revitalization: Efforts by a group to revive and maintain their cultural practices and beliefs that may be threatened by external forces or modernization.

Millenarian Movements: Religious movements that anticipate a major transformation of society, often believing that this change will come through divine intervention.

Syncretism: The blending of different religious beliefs and practices to form new traditions, often seen in revitalization movements as a response to cultural change.

The Ghost Dance is a spiritual movement that emerged in the late 19th century among Native American tribes, particularly the Lakota Sioux, as a response to the loss of their lands and cultural identity. This movement combined traditional Native American beliefs with elements of Christianity, promoting a vision of a future where Native Americans would be reunited with their ancestors and experience a return to a pre-colonial paradise. The Ghost Dance played a significant role in shaping the identity of new religious movements that sought to address social and spiritual crises.

Wovoka: A Northern Paiute prophet who claimed to have received a vision that inspired the Ghost Dance movement, encouraging Native Americans to perform the dance to bring about spiritual renewal and restoration.

Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show: A popular traveling show in the late 19th century that romanticized the American West, highlighting the conflicts between Native Americans and settlers and reflecting broader societal views on indigenous cultures.

Lakota Sioux: A Native American tribe primarily located in the Great Plains region, which played a central role in the Ghost Dance movement as a response to their suffering from colonization and cultural disruption.

The Farm refers to a communal living situation and intentional community that emerged in the United States during the 1970s, centered around shared values of sustainability, spirituality, and alternative lifestyles. This community is often associated with new religious movements that prioritize ecological practices, social justice, and a rejection of mainstream societal norms, making it an important example of how such groups can form around both religious and secular principles.

Communal Living: A lifestyle where individuals share living spaces and resources, fostering a sense of community and cooperation.

Intentional Community: A group of people who choose to live together based on shared values and goals, often focused on sustainability and social equity.

Eco-Spirituality: A movement that emphasizes the interconnectedness of human spirituality with the natural environment, promoting ecological awareness within spiritual practices.

Rastafari is a religious and social movement that originated in Jamaica in the 1930s, emphasizing the spiritual use of marijuana, the worship of Haile Selassie I as a messianic figure, and a deep connection to African heritage. This movement seeks to promote social justice, equality, and resistance against oppression, blending elements of Christianity, Afrocentric philosophy, and cultural pride.

Haile Selassie I: The former Emperor of Ethiopia who is revered by Rastafari followers as a divine figure and the fulfillment of biblical prophecies.

Dreadlocks: A hairstyle commonly associated with Rastafari that symbolizes a rejection of Western culture and a commitment to natural living.

Reggae: A music genre that originated in Jamaica and is closely linked to Rastafari, often addressing themes of social justice, love, and resistance.