REL NRM DEF. Philosophical Issues and New Religious Movements

Philosophical Issues and New Religious Movements

Origin of Religious Movements

• Some major world religions evolved gradually (e.g., Hinduism, Shinto), while others were founded by specific individuals (e.g., Christianity, Sikhism).

• Sociologists are interested in the survival of religions with specific founders, considering political, social, and economic factors that contribute to their growth.

• A critical mass of adherents may be necessary for a religion to sustain and expand.

• Throughout history, many religions may have started but failed to become established due to various reasons.

• Intolerance and persecution by dominant faiths often led to the destruction of minority religions' records, explaining the limited evidence of their existence.

• Prior to Christianity in Europe, various belief systems existed, often labeled as pagan or shamanistic, but were marginalized and declined due to Christian antipathy.

• The term 'pagan' was a pejorative term used by the dominant religion to describe minority faiths.

• The development of new religions is not a new phenomenon, but the advent of mass media and the internet has facilitated their expansion.

• These media allow religions to disseminate teachings, recruit members globally, and attract financial support more easily.

• Estimating the number of new religions is difficult due to problems of definition.

• A 'new' religion may be similar to an existing mainstream faith or represent a radically different alternative spirituality.

• Members of traditional religions may share interests with members of new religious movements.

• Computer-based communication allows exposure to a wide range of spiritual beliefs, enabling people to select a religious philosophy different from their birth religion.

The Concept of a New Religion

• Concepts used in religious discourse reflect our way of thinking about the world.

• When considering new religions, we may focus on:

  • The mechanism of separation from a larger belief system.

  • The social process of formation for a completely novel religion.

  • The age of a new movement.

• 'New religious movements' is the most popular term in academic circles, but lacks precise defining criteria.

• 'Sect' is used for a religious movement that broke away from an originating faith but retains orthodox practices.

• 'Cult' is usually employed for a completely new religious movement largely unrelated to anything that has previously existed (e.g., Heaven's Gate).

• The terms 'cult' and 'sect' acquired a pejorative connotation due to adverse publicity, leading academics to adopt the term 'new religious movements'.

• The new term, however, proved difficult to define, and the general public did not readily adopt it.

The Nature of a Cult

• The term 'cult' is used for an organization on the margins of mainstream religious belief.

• Cults are marked by significant differences from established faiths in doctrines, rituals, and social organization.

• Cults are often associated with a founding figure who influences potential members through their personality.

• Leaders of cults, such as David Koresh, are noted for their knowledge and charisma.

• Charisma, while value-neutral, has acquired a negative connotation in the case of cult leaders.

• Charismatic leaders have been associated with indoctrinating members into extreme beliefs and persuading them to adopt socially abnormal behaviors.

• However, not all leaders of cults act in a dominating or controlling way, as seen to Wicca.

• Cult leaders may isolate new members from their families and former friends, restricting their social contacts to other cult members.

• This isolation can lead to a lack of perspective and make members more easily persuaded to believe things they would not normally accept.

• This process has frequently been referred to as "brainwashing.

Origin of Religious Movements

• Religions evolve gradually or are founded by individuals.

• Sociologists study the survival of religions with founders, considering political, social, and economic factors.

• Sustaining and expanding requires a critical mass of adherents.

• Many religions may have failed due to various reasons.

• Prior faiths declined due to dominant religions' intolerance.

• Mass media and the internet facilitate the expansion of new religions.

• Estimating the number of new religions is difficult due to definition problems.

• New religions may resemble existing faiths or offer radically different spirituality.

• Traditional religion members may share interests with new religious movements.

• Communication allows exposure to diverse beliefs, enabling people to choose a different religious philosophy.

The Concept of a New Religion

• Religious discourse reflects our way of thinking.

• Considering new religions involves:

  • Separation from a larger belief system.

  • Social process of formation.

  • Age of the movement.

• 'New religious movements' lacks precise criteria.

• 'Sect' is a religious movement that broke away but retains practices.

• 'Cult' is a completely new religious movement (e.g., Heaven's Gate).

• Terms like 'cult' and 'sect' gained negative connotations, leading to 'new religious movements'.

• The new term proved hard to define and wasn't readily adopted.

The Nature of a Cult

• 'Cult' is used for an organization on the margins of mainstream belief.

• Cults differ significantly from established faiths.

• Cults are associated with a founding figure influencing members.

• Leaders are noted for their knowledge and charisma.

• Charisma has acquired a negative connotation.

• Charismatic leaders may indoctrinate members into extreme beliefs.

• Not all cult leaders are dominating (e.g., Wicca).

• Cult leaders may isolate new members, restricting social contacts.

• Isolation