15.2 Major New Religious Movements

Mormonism is a religious movement within Christianity that was founded in the early 19th century by Joseph Smith. It emphasizes the belief in the Book of Mormon as an additional scripture alongside the Bible, and includes distinct doctrines about God, Jesus Christ, and human potential, setting it apart from mainstream Christianity.

Book of Mormon: A sacred text of Mormonism that Joseph Smith claimed to have translated from golden plates, detailing the ancient history of American peoples and their relationship with God.

Latter-day Saints: A term often used to refer to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the largest organization within Mormonism.

Doctrine and Covenants: A collection of revelations and writings considered scripture in Mormonism, providing guidance and teachings for church members.

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.

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.

Wicca is a modern pagan, witchcraft religion that emphasizes the worship of nature, the practice of magic, and the reverence of a Goddess and God. This faith draws on ancient pagan traditions and rituals, integrating them into contemporary practices. Wicca has gained popularity as part of the broader New Religious Movement landscape and shares certain beliefs with Contemporary Indigenous Religious Movements, particularly in its respect for nature and earth-centered spirituality.

Paganism: A diverse range of spiritual or religious beliefs often centered around nature, polytheism, and the worship of multiple deities.

Druidry: A spiritual movement that seeks to promote a deeper understanding of nature and often includes rituals, reverence for ancestors, and connections to Celtic traditions.

Eclectic Witchcraft: A form of witchcraft that draws from various traditions and practices, allowing individuals to tailor their spiritual paths based on personal beliefs.

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.

Rastafarianism is a religious and social movement that emerged in Jamaica during the 1930s, characterized by a belief in the divinity of Haile Selassie I, the former Emperor of Ethiopia. This movement is deeply rooted in Afrocentric identity, promoting cultural pride, resistance against oppression, and a connection to African heritage. Rastafarianism combines elements of Christianity, mysticism, and African traditions, and emphasizes the importance of repatriation to Africa as a response to the historical injustices faced by people of African descent.

Haile Selassie I: The Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974, revered by Rastafarians as the living God and a symbol of black liberation.

Dreadlocks: A hairstyle associated with Rastafarian culture, symbolizing a spiritual connection and commitment to their faith.

Jamaican Patois: The Creole language spoken in Jamaica, which has influenced Rastafarian music and culture, often used in their religious expressions.

Joseph Smith was the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormonism, in the early 19th century. He is regarded as a prophet by followers who believe he translated the Book of Mormon, a sacred text that recounts the history and teachings of ancient American civilizations, establishing a major new religious movement in the United States.

Book of Mormon: A sacred text of the Latter-day Saints, which Joseph Smith claimed to have translated from golden plates, containing writings of ancient prophets in the Americas.

Latter-day Saints: Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a religious group founded by Joseph Smith that emphasizes restorationist beliefs and modern-day revelation.

First Vision: An event described by Joseph Smith in which he claimed to have seen God and Jesus Christ in a vision, marking the beginning of his prophetic calling and the restoration of true Christianity.

The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter-day Saint movement, which includes the beliefs and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). It is believed to be a record of ancient American civilizations and their dealings with God, serving as another testament of Jesus Christ alongside the Bible. The book plays a central role in the faith and theology of its adherents, influencing their beliefs about salvation, the nature of God, and the purpose of life.

Joseph Smith: The founder of the Latter-day Saint movement who claimed to have translated the Book of Mormon from golden plates he discovered in 1823.

Latter-day Saints: Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who follow the teachings found in the Book of Mormon and other church scriptures.

Nephites: A group described in the Book of Mormon, believed to be descendants of a Hebrew family that traveled to the Americas around 600 BCE.

The Baha'i Faith is a relatively new religious movement founded in the mid-19th century that emphasizes the unity of all people and religions. It was established by Baha'u'llah, who is considered the latest in a line of prophets or 'Manifestations of God' that includes figures like Jesus, Muhammad, and Moses. This faith seeks to promote global peace, equality, and the elimination of prejudice, making it a significant player among major new religious movements.

Baha'u'llah: The founder of the Baha'i Faith, regarded by followers as the latest Manifestation of God, who revealed the teachings of Baha'i between 1863 and 1892.

Unity of Religion: A core principle of the Baha'i Faith which holds that all major world religions are connected and reveal the same spiritual truths across different cultures and times.

Universal House of Justice: The elected governing body of the Baha'i community, responsible for guiding and implementing the teachings of Baha'u'llah and maintaining the administrative affairs of the faith.

Bahá'u'lláh was the founder of the Bahá'í Faith, a new religious movement that emerged in the 19th century. He is recognized as the latest prophet or manifestation of God in a line that includes figures such as Jesus, Muhammad, and Moses, and he emphasized the unity of all religions and the importance of global peace and justice.

Bahá'í Faith: A religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh that teaches the oneness of humanity and promotes universal peace, equality, and justice.

Abdu'l-Bahá: The son of Bahá'u'lláh and his appointed successor, who played a significant role in spreading the teachings of the Bahá'í Faith after his father's passing.

Covenant: The divine agreement established by Bahá'u'lláh regarding the succession and leadership within the Bahá'í community, emphasizing unity and adherence to Bahá'í principles.

The Unification Church, founded by Sun Myung Moon in the 1950s, is a new religious movement that emphasizes the creation of a unified world under God, promoting a unique theology centered around family values and world peace. It gained attention for its mass weddings and teachings that advocate for the idea of 'True Parents' as essential to the restoration of humanity and creation of a peaceful society.

Sun Myung Moon: The founder of the Unification Church, who claimed to have received revelations from God and sought to fulfill the role of the Messiah.

Divine Principle: The Unification Church's core theological text, outlining its beliefs about God, creation, human history, and the purpose of life.

Mass Weddings: Ceremonies organized by the Unification Church where large groups of couples are married simultaneously, symbolizing unity and commitment to their faith.

Sun Myung Moon was a Korean religious leader who founded the Unification Church, also known as the Moonies, in 1954. He is known for his teachings on marriage, family values, and the concept of 'True Parents,' which he promoted as essential to spiritual salvation and world peace. His influence extended beyond religion into political and social spheres, making him a significant figure in major new religious movements.

Unification Church: A religious movement founded by Sun Myung Moon that emphasizes the importance of family, marital unity, and the idea of achieving world peace through spiritual reconciliation.

True Parents: A central teaching of Moon that refers to himself and his wife as the ideal parents who provide a model for all families and contribute to spiritual salvation.

Divine Principle: The main theological text of the Unification Church, authored by Sun Myung Moon, which outlines his religious beliefs and interpretations of Christianity.

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.

Auditing refers to the systematic examination and evaluation of an organization's financial statements, practices, or processes to ensure accuracy and compliance with established standards. Within the context of new religious movements, auditing can also encompass the assessment of beliefs, practices, and organizational structures to maintain integrity and accountability among members and leaders. This process often plays a crucial role in fostering trust and transparency within these communities.

Accountability: The obligation of an organization or individual to account for its activities, accept responsibility for them, and disclose results in a transparent manner.

Transparency: The practice of openly sharing information about an organization's operations, decisions, and policies to promote trust among stakeholders.

Compliance: Adhering to laws, regulations, and internal policies that govern an organization's operations and ethical standards.

Haile Selassie I was the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974, renowned for his efforts to modernize the country and his role in the Rastafarian movement. He is viewed as a divine figure by Rastafarians, symbolizing African pride and liberation, which connects him deeply to new religious movements and contemporary indigenous spiritual practices.

Rastafarianism: A religious and social movement that emerged in Jamaica during the 1930s, which reveres Haile Selassie I as a messianic figure and promotes themes of black empowerment and repatriation to Africa.

Pan-Africanism: A political and social movement aimed at unifying African people and nations, advocating for their rights and independence, which aligns with Haile Selassie's efforts against colonialism.

Jah: A term used in Rastafarianism to refer to God, often associated with Haile Selassie I, emphasizing his divine status and significance within the faith.