New religions Flashcards
Sect
Splinter groups broken away from mainstream denominations
Cult
Often negatively seen. Charismatic leader suspected of brainwashing claim to have special knowkedge
When do new religions emerge
At times of cultural disruption or change
Core values and principles of Soka gakkai
Can bring about personal transformation that will empower person to take action towards peace justice social harmontpy emphasis on social engagement political involvement
Central deity of wicca
Goddess represents Mother Earth that encompasses both male and female attributes
New religions from the east
Soka Gakkai Falun Dafa ISKCON
New religions from Abrahamic lineage
Mormons baha’i Nation of Islam Kabbalah
Religions inspired by other forms of spirituality
Wicca Scientology raelian movement new age movement
Traditional meaning of cult
Worship or religion
Soka Gakkai lotus sutra
Lotus sutra culmination of all spiritual knowledge
Falun Dafa has its roots in
Buddhism
Falun Dafa based on
Ideas about breathing and postures to promote flow of universal energy through the body
Falun Dafa food rule
Must be balanced with yin and yang
Philosophy of Falun Gong is supposed to
Lead one to both physiological well being and spiritual awareness
Falun or law wheel
Energy centre in the body which must turn with other energy forms in the universe. An adherent can gain salvation through meditative and breathing exercises
In the Hare Krishna system
The soul is an eternal entity and subject to a persons karma but people who practice loving devotion to Krishna go to heaven when they die
He is the highest of all gods and devotional practice of Bhakti yoga is the best way to spiritual enlightenment
Krishna
Founder is Joseph smith
Mormonism
Smith published
Book of Mormon
Mormon rules
Sex abstinence outside of marriage
Abstain from caffeine alcohol tobacco
Pro life
Emphasis on family
Mormon traditional view of dark skin
Considered a curse
Changed after civil rights movement
Baha’i stems from
Islamic tradition mid 19 century
Worldview of Nation of Islam traditionally
Human beings were black had lived in harmony until evil man left the race and killed all black babies creating a white race
Malcolm x
Leader of Nation of Islam temple in harlem
Malcolm x argued
Islam not only meant for black people
Common feature of new age movements
Reconstitution of society
Most new age groups have an interest with
The exotic
The occult
The experiential
These can be seen as counter narratives to institutionalize day religions
New age movements
