New Religious Movements

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Peace,

" That yielding of the human mind to the divine"


The history of religions is one of continual change. Each religion changes over time, new religions appear, and some older traditions disappear. Times of rapid social change are particularly likely to spawn new religious movements, for people seek the security of the spiritual amidst worldly chaos. In the period since World War II , thousands of new religious groups have sprung up around the world.
To move to a new religious experience may be a fleeting experience or it may signal a deep change in one's life. In religion , as in other life commitments such as marriage, there are potential benefits in dedication and obedience. Many religion's , including the worlds largest religions , teach self denial and surrender as cardinal virtues, which help to vanquish the ego and allow one to approach ultimate reality. The question for a sincere person of faith is where to place one's faith.

Some "New" religions.

Rastafarianism
Jehovah's Witnesses
Unification Movement
Christian Science
Radhasoami
Nature Spirituality
Baha'i

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Peace,

Social Context of new religious movements

New religious movements are often referred to as cults or sects . These words have specific, neutral meanings: A cult represents a distinct break from other traditions, while a sect is a splinter group or a sub group associated with a larger tradition.
The world cult has often been abused to signify a group temporarily gathered around a charismatic leader whose influence may be dangerous to his or her followers. The label "new religious movement" seems more neutral, how ever, the word "new" itself is imprecise, for many of these groups have a rather lengthy history and have survived long after the death of the original founder.

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Peace,

Apocalyptic Expectations

As the twenty first century began, according to Christian dating, speculations abounded that some people expected better times ahead; some prophesied forthcoming planetary disaster.
The expectation of major world changes appears in many religions, including Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and some indigenous religions.

In Christianity, for instance, the last book in the Bible, Revelations, predicts an Apocalypse, or dramatic end of the present world, followed by the millennium , a thousand year period of holiness in which Christ rules the earth. Hindus anticipate that Kali Yuga , the worst of times, will be followed by the return of Sat Yuga , when dharma will again prevail of evil. These expectations have in turn influenced the theological attitudes of some "New Religions".

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Alternatively, those who anticipate the end of the present world may accept social scorn and try to share the their prophecies with others in order to save them from the anticipated coming destruction. Two examples of the latter approach --Rastafarians and Jehovah's Witnesses demonstrate some ways in which people may try to engage others in their expectations.