New Religious Movement

New Religious Movements

Religious communities that have emerged within the recent past, typically smaller than major world religions.

Cults

Popular term for NRMs, often carrying negative connotations; scholarly usage prefers 'New Religious Movements'.

Alternative Christianities

NRMs that diverge from mainstream Christianity in terms of doctrine, practice, and scripture.

Mormonism

The theology of the Latter-day Saints movement founded by Joseph Smith, characterized by the Book of Mormon and unique doctrines.

Seventh-Day Adventism

Christian denomination known for its observance of Saturday as the Sabbath and emphasis on the imminent Second Coming of Christ.

Jehovah's Witnesses

Religious group known for door-to-door preaching, rejection of Trinitarianism, and expectation of imminent Armageddon.

Christian Science

Religion founded by Mary Baker Eddy, emphasizing the spiritual understanding of reality and healing through prayer.

Cao Dai

A Vietnamese monotheistic religion combining elements from several faiths, established in 1926.

ISKCON

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, or Hare Krishna movement, focusing on devotion to Krishna.

Transcendental Meditation

A meditation technique involving silent mantra repetition, developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Voodoo

African diasporic religion developed in Haiti, combining African traditions with Catholicism.

Santería

Afro-Caribbean religion developed in Cuba, blending Yoruba beliefs with Catholicism and Spiritism.

Rastafarianism

Religion originating in Jamaica, emphasizing a monotheistic belief in Jah and the importance of Haile Selassie I.

Scientology

A set of beliefs developed by L. Ron Hubbard, characterized by techniques aimed at spiritual improvement.

Raëlism

UFO religion founded by Claude Vorilhon, claiming that extraterrestrials created humanity and will return for a utopia.

Heaven's Gate

American new religious movement known for mass suicides, believing in transformation into extraterrestrial beings.

Eckankar

A new religious movement emphasizing personal spiritual experiences and Soul Travel.

Wicca

Modern pagan, earth-centered religion that venerates a Goddess and God and utilizes rituals and beliefs from various traditions.

Neo-Druidism

Modern spiritual movement promoting relationships with nature, asserting the veneration of nature deities.