15.2 Major New Religious Movements

New religious movements have emerged worldwide, blending elements from established faiths with new ideas. These groups range from Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses to Scientology and Wicca, each offering unique beliefs and practices.

Eastern-influenced movements like Falun Gong and Rastafarianism have also gained followers. These diverse groups reflect the ongoing evolution of spiritual thought and the human search for meaning in the modern world.

Abrahamic-Derived New Religious Movements

Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses

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• Mormonism founded by Joseph Smith in the early 19th century
  • Believes in modern prophets and additional scriptures (Book of Mormon)
  • Practices include baptism for the dead and temple ceremonies
• Jehovah's Witnesses originated in the late 19th century
  • Emphasize the imminent end of the world and the establishment of God's kingdom on Earth
  • Known for door-to-door preaching and refusal to celebrate holidays or birthdays

Baha'i Faith and Unification Church

• Baha'i Faith founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th-century Persia
  • Teaches the unity of all religions and the oneness of humanity
  • Believes in the progressive revelation of religious truth through a series of divine messengers (including Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad)
• Unification Church founded by Sun Myung Moon in South Korea in 1954
  • Combines elements of Christianity, Confucianism, and Korean shamanism
  • Emphasizes the importance of marriage and family in achieving spiritual perfection

Modern Esoteric and New Age Movements

Scientology

• Scientology developed by L. Ron Hubbard in the 1950s
  • Teaches that humans are immortal spiritual beings who have forgotten their true nature
  • Practices include "auditing," a form of counseling that aims to help individuals become aware of their spiritual nature and achieve a state of spiritual enlightenment
• Scientology has faced criticism and controversy over its beliefs, practices, and treatment of members
  • Some countries have refused to recognize it as a religion, citing concerns about its business practices and alleged abuses

Wicca

• Wicca is a modern pagan religion that emerged in the mid-20th century
  • Centered on the worship of nature and the celebration of seasonal cycles
  • Practitioners often perform rituals and spells, and may work with deities or spirits associated with nature
• Wicca emphasizes personal spiritual experience and the development of one's own relationship with the divine
  • Encourages individual exploration and interpretation of spiritual beliefs and practices

New Religious Movements with Eastern Influences

Falun Gong

• Falun Gong is a spiritual movement that emerged in China in the 1990s
  • Combines elements of Buddhism, Taoism, and qigong (a Chinese system of physical exercises and breathing control)
  • Teaches that practitioners can achieve spiritual enlightenment and physical well-being through meditation and moral living
• Falun Gong has faced severe persecution by the Chinese government since 1999
  • China has accused the movement of being a dangerous cult and has imprisoned and tortured many of its followers

Rastafarianism

• Rastafarianism originated in Jamaica in the 1930s
  • Believes that Haile Selassie I, the former Emperor of Ethiopia, was a divine being and the messiah prophesied in the Bible
  • Emphasizes the spiritual use of cannabis, the rejection of materialism and oppression, and the eventual return to Africa for people of African descent
• Rastafarianism has had a significant influence on Jamaican culture and music (particularly reggae)
  • Bob Marley, one of the most famous reggae musicians, was a committed Rastafarian and helped spread the movement's message through his music