The Nature of the New Religious Movements–Anticult “Culture War” in Microcosm: The Church of Scientology versus the Cult Awareness Network

Scientology ◽  
2009 ◽  
pp. 269-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anson Shupe
Keyword(s):  
Religious Movements ◽  
Culture War ◽  
New Religious Movements ◽  
The Church

scholarly journals Quest for Miracle Healing and Prosperity in the New Religious Movements in Nigeria: Its Causal Phenomena

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 172-186
Author(s):  
Benjamin Chukwunoso Nwokocha
Keyword(s):  
Religious Movements ◽  
New Religious Movements ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Christian Churches ◽  
The People ◽  
Prosperity Preaching ◽  
New Generation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Church ◽  
Limited Scope

This paper x-rayed in a very precise form the theology of miracle healing and prosperity message expounded by the preachers of the new generation churches in Nigeria. Since however, this title is a bit too vast and ambitious for the limited scope and time of the discourse, the paper, therefore, investigated the salient issues involved in the theology of miracle healing and prosperity message as expounded by the preachers of the new generation churches in the south-east of Nigeria; though south-east/Igboland and Nigeria are used interchangeably. It also investigated how the theology amongst other factors has occasioned the proliferations of new religious movements in Nigeria. Other issues that are connected to the growth of the new religious movements in Nigeria and Igboland in particular examined in this study included the African’s quest for power, cultural identity, ethnic identity, health, and economic emancipation. The purpose of this study is to x-ray the impact of prosperity preaching and quest for miracle in the new religious movements in Nigeria. The findings showed that the import of the new religious movements in Nigeria is occasioned by the excesses of the colonial and missionary overlords in the pre-colonial Nigeria. Findings also indicated that the new religious movements came to fore in Nigeria as a religion of the oppressed in the cultural, social, religious and political spheres. It was developed as a rescue mission to the already degraded religion and tradition of the people. The methods of approach include historical and phenomenological methods. The study however recommends the theology of prosperity and miracle healing as a correct and sound teaching for not just the new religious movements but for all Christian churches in Nigeria. The study equally advocates that it would not be expounded beyond proportion so that the church would not be reduced to a mere miracle centers.

Invention in “New New” Religions

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole M. Cusack
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Popular Culture ◽  
First Century ◽  
Religious Movements ◽  
Western Society ◽  
New Religious Movements ◽  
Divine Revelation ◽  
New Religions ◽  
Twenty First Century ◽  
The Church

This chapter discusses the concept of invention and applies it to the study of New Religious Movements (NRMs). Invention plays a part in all religions and is linked to other conceptual lenses including syncretism and legitimation. Yet invention is more readily detected in contemporary phenomena (so-called “invented,” “hyper-real,” or “fiction-based” religions), which either eschew, or significantly modify, the appeals to authority, antiquity, and divine revelation that traditionally accompany the establishment of a new faith. The religions referred to in this chapter (including Discordianism, the Church of All Worlds, and Jediism) are distinctively “new new” religions, appearing from the mid-twentieth century, and gaining momentum in the deregulated spiritual market of the twenty-first century West. Overt religious invention has mainstreamed in the Western society, as popular culture, individualism and consumerism combine to facilitate the cultivation of personal spiritualities, and the investment of ephemeral entertainments with ultimate significance and meaning.

scholarly journals A Joke, Mockery, or Something More? The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster – an Invented Religion or a New Movement?

2021 ◽  
Vol 81 ◽  
pp. 81-100
Author(s):  
Siarhei A. Anoshka ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Religious Movement ◽  
Religious Movements ◽  
New Religious Movements ◽  
Short History ◽  
Main Subject ◽  
The Usa ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Church

This article attempts to analyse a contemporary phenomenon from the sphere of alternative religiosity in the form of joke religions. The main subject of the analysis is a new religious movement called the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (CFSM), founded in the USA in 2005. By referring to the theory of carnival fun, joining the sacrum and profanum, and passing through the various doctrinal threads of this religious movement, the author attempts to answer the question of whether the CFSM can be considered a genuine religion or only a joke. The article begins with a short reflection on the possibility of joking about religion and faith, and the response to religious humour by people of faith, which may range from anger to disgust and sometimes even to aggression. Then, after a short history of this new (pseudo-)religious movement, a perspective is developed. It emerges that the whole structure of the so-called doctrine of this (quasi-)religion refers to other known religions and beliefs, including other new religious movements.

scholarly journals Why are the Raelians and other new religious movements not considered ‘religions’ in Poland? A comparative analysis of the definitions of religion used by the Supreme Administrative Court in the sociological context

2020 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-373
Author(s):  
Maciej Krzywosz
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Religious Movements ◽  
New Religious Movements ◽  
Political Transformation ◽  
Sociological Perspective ◽  
Religious Minorities ◽  
New Religions ◽  
Religious Landscape ◽  
The Church

In 1980, in Poland, there were about 30 religious minorities. The socio-political transformation changed the religious landscape dramatically. In 1999, there were already 155. Not all new religions, however, were registered. In the case of The Church of Miracles, The Raelians, and The Order of Initiated Knighthood, registration was refused. The Ministry of the Interior and the Supreme Administrative Court decided that they did not fulfil the requirements of a “religion”. The purpose of this article is to examine, from a sociological perspective, the definitions of religion used by the court, by which the above new religious movements were not recognised as religions. The analysis shows that the court and administration ruled on the basis of substantial definitions of religion, reducing religion to believing in God or the sacred. Furthermore, the article presents the socio-cultural reasons behind the choice of such definitions, and reviews the scholarly debate on the issue.

New Religious Movements in a Secular State

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 107
Author(s):  
Maria Sergeyevna LAVRRENTIEVA ◽  
Mikhail Mikhailovich TURKIN ◽  
Evgeny Sergeevich KUCHENIN ◽  
Maria Alexandrovna VOLKOVA ◽  
Alla Efratovna ZOLOTAREVA
Keyword(s):  
Legal Status ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
The State ◽  
Religious Movements ◽  
New Religious Movements ◽  
Public Servants ◽  
Religious Associations ◽  
The Church ◽  
State Functions ◽  
Secular State

The research analyzes problems associated with new religious movements in a secular state, using the example of the Russian Federation. It has been established that a state in which religion and the state are separated from each other is recognized as secular. The state and state bodies are separated from the Church and religious associations and do not interfere with their activities. In turn, the latter do not interfere with the activities of the state and state bodies. A secular state implies: the absence of any religious authority over state bodies, the inadmissibility of the performance of any state functions by the Church or its hierarchs; the absence of compulsory religion for public servants and authorities; the state's non-recognition of the legal significance of Church acts and religious rules as sources of law; the state's refusal to finance the expenses of any Church or religious organization. The purpose of this article is to review, define, and comprehensively analyze the legal regulation of new religious movements in Russia, as well as to determine the legal status of these organizations, their activities and relationships with the state and state bodies.

The Occult Roots of Scientology?

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 91-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugh B. Urban
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Early Church ◽  
Religious Movements ◽  
New Religious Movements ◽  
American Students ◽  
Aleister Crowley ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Church

The Church of Scientology remains one of the most controversial and poorly understood new religious movements to emerge in the last century. And among the most controversial questions in the early history of the Church is L. Ron Hubbard's involvement in the ritual magic of Aleister Crowley and the possible role of occultism in the development of Scientology. While some critics argue that Crowley's magic lies at the very heart of Scientology, most scholars have dismissed any connection between the Church and occultism. This article examines all of the available historical material, ranging from Hubbard's personal writings, to correspondence between Crowley and his American students, to the first Scientology lectures of the 1950s. Crowley's occult ideas, I argue, do in fact represent one—but only one—element in the rich, eclectic bricolage that became the early Church of Scientology; but these occult elements are also mixed together with themes drawn from Eastern religions, science fiction, pop psychology, and Hubbard's own fertile imagination.

scholarly journals nexus between church and gender

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angeline Savala
Keyword(s):  
Early Church ◽  
Religious Movements ◽  
New Religious Movements ◽  
Leadership Roles ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Church Mission ◽  
The Bible ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Church

Interface between the Bible and ideas about gender and church mission work in Africa is a phenomenon that calls for discussion within theological forums. Despite both men and women being active in church activities, the early church depicts men as being at the forefront while women quietly participated. Concerning the missionary era, men publicly were the leaders as women followed or privately served as the personal assistant or as administrators. In addition, looking now at the contemporary church, in the traditional (orthodox) churches, the so-called historical or mainstream churches, men take the top leadership roles while women deputize them. However, this position is being challenged by the new religious movements and Christian ministries movements where women are usurping the top leadership positions. This paper therefore seeks to paint a seemingly more balanced account of gender roles that would benefit men and women alike by exploring historical and theological leadership roles and gender in the church.

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