15.1 Defining New Religious Movements
3 min read•august 7, 2024
New religious movements shake up the spiritual landscape, challenging established norms and offering fresh perspectives. They range from small to larger and , each with unique beliefs and practices that set them apart from mainstream religions.
These movements often blend different traditions, follow charismatic leaders, and envision dramatic world changes. They can inspire devotion or face criticism, striving to either separate from or transform society. Understanding their diverse characteristics helps us grasp their impact on modern spirituality.
Categorizing New Religious Movements
Types of New Religious Movements
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- Cults are small, loosely knit groups that often form around a and tend to be in high tension with the surrounding sociocultural environment ()
- Sects are offshoots of a parent religion that have broken away from the mainstream tradition and typically claim to restore the original purity of the faith ()
- Denominations are large, mainstream religious bodies that have accommodated to the wider society and feature more formal organization and professional clergy (, )
- New religious movements can transition between these categories over time as they grow, institutionalize, and adapt to societal norms
Relationship to Mainstream Society
- New religious movements often face suspicion, opposition, and even persecution from mainstream society due to their unconventional beliefs and practices
- Some new religious movements actively seek to separate themselves from the wider culture, emphasizing their distinctiveness ()
- Others attempt to engage with and transform society, seeking to bring about religious, social, or political change ( in China)
- The degree of tension between a new religious movement and the surrounding society can shape its development and trajectory over time
Characteristics of New Religious Movements
Syncretic and Eclectic Beliefs
- involves the blending of elements from different religious traditions to create a new synthesis ( in Vietnam incorporates Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Catholicism)
- Many new religious movements draw upon multiple sources, both ancient and modern, to construct their belief systems
- This allows for flexibility and adaptation to changing circumstances and appeals to diverse audiences
- However, it can also lead to charges of inconsistency, cultural appropriation, or lack of authenticity from critics
Charismatic Leadership and Authority
- New religious movements often coalesce around a charismatic leader who is believed to possess extraordinary powers, revelations, or spiritual insights ( of )
- The leader's authority may be seen as deriving from divine inspiration, esoteric knowledge, or personal magnetism
- Charismatic leadership can inspire intense devotion and loyalty from followers, but also raises issues of succession and institutionalization after the leader's death ()
- Critics may accuse charismatic leaders of exploitation, manipulation, or abuse of power
Apocalyptic and Millenarian Worldviews
- is the belief in a coming collective salvation, often imagined as an imminent and total transformation of the world ()
- Many new religious movements envision an apocalyptic scenario, such as the end of the current cosmic cycle or a cataclysmic event, followed by the dawn of a perfect age
- These beliefs can create a sense of urgency and purpose, but also lead to disappointment or disillusionment if predictions fail (The and )
- Some millenarian groups may resort to extreme measures, such as stockpiling weapons or attempting to hasten the anticipated end-times
Revitalization and Social Reform Efforts
- seek to create a more satisfying culture or way of life, often in response to social disruption, oppression, or cultural loss ( among Native Americans)
- New religious movements may arise to address perceived social ills, such as corruption, injustice, or environmental destruction
- They can serve as vehicles for protest, experimentation, and the pursuit of utopian ideals ( in Tennessee)
- Some movements aim to revive or restore traditional beliefs and practices that have been suppressed or forgotten ()
- Critics may dismiss revitalization efforts as escapist, regressive, or unable to achieve lasting change
Key Terms to Review (29)
Amish: 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.
Apocalypticism: Apocalypticism refers to the belief in an imminent end of the world, often accompanied by a final judgment and the establishment of a new, divine order. This worldview is marked by the expectation of catastrophic events that will bring about profound change, often seen as a divine intervention in human history. It frequently serves as a source of hope and motivation for believers, particularly within various new religious movements that arise in response to social, political, or economic turmoil.
Baptists: 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.
Cao Dai: 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.
Charismatic leader: 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.
Cults: 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.
Denominations: 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.
Eclecticism: 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.
Falun Gong: 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.
Heaven's Gate: 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.
Jehovah's Witnesses: 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.
L. Ron Hubbard: 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.
Methodists: 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.
Millenarianism: 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.
Millerites: 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.
Moral panic: Moral panic is a social phenomenon where public anxiety and exaggerated fear arise over an issue that is perceived as a threat to societal norms and values. This often occurs in response to the emergence or visibility of new religious movements, which can be seen as challenging traditional beliefs and practices, leading to heightened scrutiny and negative perceptions from the broader society.
Osho/Rajneeshpuram: 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.
Peoples Temple: 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.
Rastafari: 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.
Religious Pluralism: Religious pluralism refers to the acceptance and coexistence of diverse religious beliefs and practices within a society. This concept acknowledges that multiple religions can provide meaningful paths to truth and morality, fostering an environment where individuals are free to express their beliefs and engage with others in dialogue. Religious pluralism plays a significant role in shaping cultural dynamics, influencing new religious movements, impacting ethical discussions, and affecting relationships between religion and government.
Revitalization movements: 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.
Scientology: 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.
Sects: 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.
Social reform efforts: Social reform efforts refer to organized activities aimed at improving societal conditions and addressing social injustices. These efforts often emerge from the belief that society can be improved through collective action, activism, and new ideologies. In the context of new religious movements, social reform efforts can influence and shape the way these movements articulate their beliefs and engage with broader societal issues.
Social stigma: Social stigma refers to the negative attitudes and beliefs that society holds about certain individuals or groups, leading to discrimination and exclusion. This phenomenon can greatly affect those who belong to new religious movements, as members often face judgment, misunderstanding, and prejudice from the broader community due to their beliefs or practices. Social stigma can hinder acceptance and create barriers for these movements, impacting their growth and social interactions.
Syncretism: 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.
The Farm: 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.
The Ghost Dance: 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.
The Great Disappointment of 1844: 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.