1. New Religious Movements
Mary Fisher Living Religions
Chapter 12

2. Terms (1): Concepts & Movements
Apocalypse apostasy
Millennium Rapture
Cult “Audience Cults” “Client cults”
New Age Thetan
Sect “Church”
Progressive millennialism Progressive revelation
Babi movement Baha’i Faith
Syncretism Universalism
Ethnic religions Goddess spirituality
Neo-Paganism/ Wicca/ Witchcraft

3. Terms (2): Names & Movements
Depak Chopra New Age
L. Ron Hubbard Scientology
Rev. Sun Myung Moon Unification Movement
Sathya Sai Baba of India Sai Baba followers
Joseph Smith Mormonism/
Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints
Charles Taze Russell Jehovah Witnesses
Caodaism Santaria
Madame Blavatsky Theosophical Society
Baha’ullah Baha’i Faith
Marcus Garvey, Ras Tafari Rastafari

4. Learning Outcomes
Be able to identify and comprehend key concepts, main beliefs, and practices of each of these movements
Be able to distinguish, compare and contrast these movements with each other and with the developed religions
Be able to comprehend these expressions within the broader Humanities discipline

5. New Religious Movements Introduction
History of Religions – continual change
Times of rapid social change – spawns new religious movements
Experience – ranges from fleeting to deep change

6. Social Context of New Religious Movements (1)
Cult
Sect
“New Religious Movements” – label intended to be neutral and used by scholars
Sociologists study new religious movements
“Church” and “sect” distinction; W. Bainbridge’s distinction
Stark and Bainbridge: “Audience cults” New Age groups tend to fall in this category (e.g. Depak Chopra’s The Seven Spiritual Laws for Success”)

7. Social Context of New Religious Movements (2)
“Client Cults” – e.g. 1: Scientology
L. Ron Hubbard ( )
Hubbard’s Teaching – the “thetan”
Stark & Bainbridge’s “cult movement” definition
Apocalypse
Millennium
Rapture

8. Charismatic Leadership
Unification Movement
Rev. Sun Myung Moon (1920--)
Basic Teachings/Beliefs
Sathya Sai Baba of India ( )
Claims reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba & Avatar
Center is in Puttaparthi; massive ashram
Basic Teachings/ Beliefs, and practices

9. Offshoots of Older Religions
The Mormon Church/ Mormonism/ The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints
Joseph Smith
The Book of Mormon
Mormon Central Teachings, Beliefs, & Practices
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Charles Taze Russell ( )
Central Beliefs, Teachings, and Practices

10. Offshoot’s View of Christianity
Mormonism:
Apostasy (apostate): Christian Church fell away from the truth and Mormonism comes in 19th cent. and restores the true biblical view, the true priesthood, the true Church
Jevovah’s Witnesses:
Christian Church also viewed as corrupt and apostate, focusing on corrupted non-biblical terms such as “Trinity,” and generally anti-institutional

11. Syncretistic “New” Religions
Syncretism
Caodaism – 1926 Vietnam
African-Inspired Syncretic Religions:
Santaria
Theosophical Society
Madame Blavatsky ( )
“Ascended Masters”

12. The Baha’i Faith
“Universalist beliefs have also manifested in a ‘new’ global religion, the Baha’i Faith” M. Fisher, p.482

13. Map of West Asia (Turkey, Persia, Afghanistan), 1863

14. Birthed in Persia & Ottoman Empire

15. Bahai Faith Spreads through the exiled journey of the Founder

16. The Story of the beginning of Baha’i Faith (1) the Bab) and the Babi Movement
In 1844, Ali Muhammad announces that he has been sent by God to prepare humanity for a new age and the imminent appearance of another messenger even greater than himself [from US Baha’i website].
(This section is taken from the Hopfe/Woodward text) In 1844, a Shi’a Muslim named Ali Muhammad declared that he was the promised twelfth imam and called himself the Bab (the Gate). He advocated sweeping religious and…

17. The Story of the beginning of Baha’i Faith (2)
social reforms, such as raising the status of women; thus, the Bab gathered around him a group of disciples who called themselves Babis. The movement was short-lived, as the religious and political forces of Persia moved to crush it. The Bab was publicly executed in 1850, and many of his disciples were imprisoned or executed.

18. Religious, Political, and Geographic Contexts

19. The Story of the beginning of Baha’i Faith (3)
Before he died, however, the Bab predicted that he had prepared the way for one who was yet to come, one who would found a universal religion.
Hopfe/Woodward text summarizes it this way: What began as a sect of Shi’ite Islam in Persia moved so far away that it is now considered a separate religion altogether.

20. The Story of the beginning of Baha’i Faith (4)
[This next portion of the story is taken from Gloria Faizi’s The Baha’i Faith: An Introduction, Baha’i Pub. Trust]
Baha’ullah (Ali Husayn) was in Tirhan at the time when the Bab declared His mission to his first disciples in Shiraz. The new message reached Husayn through the Bab’s first disciple, and he accepted it without the least hesitation though he had not met the Bab. Husayn was 27 years old.

21. The Story of the beginning of Baha’i Faith (5)
Having identified himself with the Cause of the Bab, Husayn arose to promulgate its teachings and share in the sufferings of its followers. Before long, all his property was confiscated, and he himself was thrown into a dungeon called “The Black Pit,” for murderers and robbers. Husayn spent 4 months there with a heavy chain on his neck. Yet, while in this gloomy dungeon, he became fully aware of the Revelation which was to flow through him to the rest of mankind.

22. The Story of the beginning of Baha’i Faith (6)
The Bab was now executed (martyred), and many others had laid down their lives for the Cause, and the few remained were being hunted down by their cruel enemies. But Baha’ullah knew that the blood of martyrs had watered the mighty tree of God’s Cause & that nothing could stop its growth until it had gathered all the peoples of the world under its shadow.

23. The Story of the beginning of Baha’i Faith (7)
After 4 months, Husayn was so ill they thought he would die. He was released from the dungeon and banished from his land to Baghdad, and some friends and family volunteered to go into exile with him.
He remained in exile in Baghdad for 10 years. Though he was destitute and branded a heretic, people of all backgrounds and denominations came..

24. The Story of the beginning of Baha’i Faith (8)
seeking his presence. Forgetting their differences of classes, color, and religion, they sat down together listening to his teachings.
The Iranian gov’t heard about this, hoping the movement was dead, and so persuaded the Turkish gov’t (under which Baghdad was) to send Baha’ullah further away from his native country.

25. The Story of the beginning of Baha’i Faith (9)
He was going to be banished to Constantinople. On the eve of his departure, he revealed that he was the promised one, the “Great Teacher promised in all the Holy Scriptures of the world, whose advent the Bab prepared the way [at which time he took on the name Baha’ullah, meaning the “Glory of God.” This Declaration was a turning point in the history of this new Cause. The promise of the Bab…

26. The Story of the beginning of Baha’i Faith (10)
had been fulfilled. The Day of the Unity of Mankind had now been ushered in.
His exile in Constantinople lasted 4 months during which time a number of notables of the city came under the influence of his teachings.
Then he was sent to Adrianople, where he stayed for 5 years.

27. The Story of the beginning of Baha’i Faith (11)
There, Baha’ullah proclaimed his Mission to the kings and rulers of the earth, and to ecclesiastical leaders of all religions. He called them to listen to the Message of God, to come together to resolve their differences, to work toward world peace.
The Revelation of Baha’ullah, which had been born in the dungeon of Tirhan and declared on the eve of his departure from Baghdad, reached its zenith in Adrianople.

28. Baha’ullah’s Banishment Journey

29. Chronological Overview
1844 – Ali Muhammad, a 25 year old merchant, declares himself to be the 12th Imam
1858 – Ali Muhammad executed, his followers are persecuted
1863 – Baha’ullah (Husayn Ali) founds Baha’i faith
1892 – Baha’ullah dies; Abbas Effendi assumes leadership of Baha’i movement
– Repression of Baha’is in Middle East
1908—present Global missionary efforts taken
1963 – Universal House of Justice established

30. Baha’i Key Terms/Concepts
Bab-”Gate”, Ali Muhammad of Persian, “12th Imam”
Bab-ud-Din-”Gate of Faith”, Founder of the Babi movement, Ali Muhammad
Babis-Religious group, followers of the Bab, immed. Forerunner of the Baha’i religion
“Twelfth Imam”-Shi’ite Muslim Iranian prophecy that the 12th one to come, a Messiah-type figure

31. Key Terms/Concepts, continued
Baha’ullah – the “Glory of God,” title of Ali Husayn, the Founder of the Baha’i Faith
Abdu'l-Baha – Baha’ullah’s successor and son
Ridvan – annual festival commemorating Ali Husayn revealing to the Babis that he was the promised one, occurred in Ridvan (near Baghdad) in exile
Universal House of Justice –international seat of the Baha'i community located in Haifa, Israel

32. The Main Baha’i Beliefs (1)
One God, one World, one Humanity
Baha’ullah: the Promised One of the Ages
Baha’ullah is the most recent messenger of God
All religions come from the same Divine source
Divine revelation: continuous and progressive the Messengers of God: Moses, Zoroaster, Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, the Bab, and Baha’ullah represent successive stages in the spiritual growth of humanity

33. Main Baha’i Beliefs (2)
Baha’ullah fulfills prophecies of the past manifestations of God & that his coming ushers in the age of fulfillment in religion.
One God and one humanity: his greatest message was in the oneness of the human race; all races, sexes, and religious truths are the expressions of the one God.

34. Abdul-Baha’s Message to the World
Abdul-Baha (Baha’ullah’s successor) left Acre (north of Haifa) to preach the following Baha’i doctrines around the world:
There is oneness in the entire human race. This is a fundamental doctrine of faith and essential to Baha’i.
There must be an independent search after truth, unfettered by superstition or tradition.
There is a basic unity of all religions. Baha’i teaches that all religions essentially preach the same message.

35. The Baha’i Practices Daily obligatory prayer: morning and evening
Weekly devotional/worship & community meetings/fellowship locally, internationally
No clergy or priests & neither local assembly leader-designate

36. Baha’i Practices, continued
*Note: In U.S., Baha’is meet on Sundays
Festivals, some of which follow the Sunday devotionals, and includes potluck food
Visiting the international Baha’i Shrine in Haifa/pilgrimages on high festival, e.g. Ridvan

37. Practices: Festivals/Fasts
New Year: March 21 (1st day of spring)
Ridvan (occurs between April 21 - May 2) commemorates Baha’ullah’s declaration that he was the promised one
Other certain feasts throughout the year to celebrate events in the life of Baha’ullah
Fast during month of Ala (daylight fast, compare w/ Islam’s Ramadan)

38. Taboos
Alcohol
Narcotic drugs

39. The Baha’i Sacred Texts
Katib-i-Aqdas “The Most Holy Book” (written by Baha’ullah)
Katib-i-Iqan “ The Book of Certitudes” (written by Baha’ullah)
The Hidden Words (written by Baha’ullah)
The Tablets of Abdul-Baha
The Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’ullah, translated by Shoghi Effendi

40. The Main Baha’i Symbol The nine-pointed star is a main Baha’i symbol.
Each of the Baha’i national shrines has nine sides, which is the largest unit number (single digit), and thus symbolizes unity

41. The Baha’i Religion Today
A mission-focused religion-globally
Int’l Shrine, Haifa, & National Shrines
Structure of three levels:
Universal House of Justice
National Spiritual Assemblies
Local Spiritual Assemblies (20,000+)
6+ million adherents (estimate)

42. Factors in its Growth & Success as a modern World Religion
Universal Outlook: one God, one world, one humanity (all races are a part of)
Progressive: Theologically (relative to Islam) and Socially: equality of men and women and justice for all
Missionary Focus-globally
Banishment of Baha’ullah from Persia ended up working to spread their message

43. Baha’i: Review and Summary
What was the historical, political, cultural, and religious context of the birth of this religion?
(empire, country, religion?)
What was the name of the forerunner and the name of the Founder & founder’s successor?
Summarize of the story of its origin
How did the banishing of Baha’ullah end up leading to the spread of this new Faith?

44. Baha’i: Review and Summary
What are the main beliefs?
What are the main practices?
What are the sacred texts (holy books)?
What is the profile of this religion is today?

45. Baha’i Discussion Questions
How is the Baha’i Faith related to Islam, particularly Shi’ite Islam in Iran during its origin?
How may the Baha’i faith be related to other religions like Sikhism, Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, etc.?
How do you think Baha’is regard the holy Scriptures of other religions?
How can persecution, even the executing of thousands of its follows, be fuel for its growth into an unstoppable religious/spiritual movement?
Why do some consider the Baha’i religion to be more in step with the modern world?

46. New Religious Movements: Social Trends
Ethnic-based Religions:
Rastafari
Nature Spirituality:
Neo-Paganism, Wicca, Goddess spirituality & Gaia
Ethnic Religions
Deep Ecology
New Age Spirituality:
Drew from: progressive millennialism, spiritism/channeling, nature-reverence, universalism
New Thought, Unity School Christianity

47. New Religious Movements: Conclusion: Will they last?
Four Factors in determining their longevity and success:
1) Balance with similarities to existing beliefs
2) Organization, personal commitment, & bonds
3) Social Setting- is freedom of choice allowed?
4) Spiritual aspects-perceived true & genuine

48. New Religious Movements Probing Questions:
In modern times, there has been a “come-back” of nature-based religion which some refer to as the “old ways.” Some have been trying to reproduce these old sacred ways. What does the textbook say why it is difficult to reproduce the “old ways”? (c.f. p. 486)
When religious groups or cults isolate themselves and believe the apocalypse is about to come, what usually results?

49. New Religious Movements Small Group Discussion 1:
Textbook states, “Religion is best when it is community and humanitarian focused.” Discuss this statement, its value, and whether you agree with it based from what you learned in this course.

50. New Religious Movements Small Group Discussion 2:
In the section of Nature Spirituality, in the topic of ethnic religions, the example from Russia, the textbook states, “Now that the freedom of religion is permitted, people are returning to the traditional agrarian rites for the earth’s fertility….Some members of ethnic religions question why they should revere the myths of West Asian desert tribes, as in Judeo-Christian tradition, rather than the ethnic myths of their own ancestors.” (p. 489) Discuss this assessment and discern the meaning of “West Asian desert tribes.” Is this a fare assessment?