RELI 1000 1st Edition Lecture 14 • New Religious Movements Emerging in the 19th, 20th and 21st century• TerminologyWhat is a cult?What is a sect?Why NRM?What factors influence their emergence? Types of NRMFactors behind Survival. • Why New?NRM refers to religious groups arising early in the 19th century.Also known as sects or cults, “alternative religious movements,” “marginal movements.”The terms “Sect” & “Cult” have negative connotation. They connote evil practices, abuse, indoctrination etc. What is a cult?A cult is a distinct break from an established tradition. • It is often associated with dangerous authority and violence. e.g Jim Jones People’s Temple, is a cult because of suicidal teachings. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7IxGGfpSWk&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMCnOpmbJQQ&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRfDE9bndfg• Cont…• A Sect is a splinter or subgroup associated with a larger tradition.Termed heretical. E.g These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.1. Bahai – arose 19th century from a Shi’i Islam. It sees itself as succeeding Islam.2.Jehova witness is a sect of Christianity. Like Christians they accept the Bible as their first scripture. • FACTORS BEHIND N.R.M’s• Apocalyptic/ Catastrophic movements• Progressive movements & Unification movement • Offshoots of older religions• Syncretism• Universalist religions• The need for survival •Apocalyptic/ Catastrophic movements • Mostly motivated by social changes.• Tend to predict apocalyptic expectations like the end of the world or disaster.• Some may lead to self destruction. E.g Jehovah witness, was founded by Charles Taze Russell of the Bible Student movement in 1800’s. Russell predicted the end of the world in 1873/ 74. Christ was to arrive & has indeed arrived and is invisible. Jehovah Witness considers itself as a restoration movement. Has about 8 million followers• Charles Taze Russell• Reject trinitarianism, inherent immortality of the soul and concept of hell fire – because they are not in the Bible. • Do not observe Christmas, Easter and other birthdays because they consider them pagan. • God’s kingdom’s is a literal government in heaven, ruled by Jesus Christ and 144,000 Christians • Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God movement - UgandaIn Uganda, 2,000 members of the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God movement died waiting for the world to end. • It broke away from the Roman Catholic Church.• The movement was founded by Credonia Mwerinde, Joseph Kibweteere and Bee Tait in Uganda in 1980’s. • Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God cont…• Mwerinde, a brewer of banana beer, and Kibweteere, a politician, claimed that they had visions of the Virgin Mary.• They perished in a devastating fire and a series of poisonings and killings.• Killings were considered cult suicide or mass murder orchestrated by sect leaders aftertheir predictions of the apocalypse failed to pass.• Progressive Movements • Mission is to promote a better world E.G • Rastafari Movement:It arose in Jamaica & is associated with Alexander Bedward and Marcus Garvey.Teachings are based on the prediction that the great civilization was going to take place in Africa led by Ras Tafari. – Emperor Haile Selassie I of EthiopiaIts goal was to promote a world where black people will have a better role. The movement spread to the Caribbean, North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand . • Haile Selassie I He is believe that Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia (ruled 1930–1974), was God incarnate.• Dreadlocks They are a part of the biblical Nazarene vow, who prohibit shaving and combing the hair. They symbolizes the roots of the man, and his spirituality, the link with Jah.  They are also a symbol of the Lion, Haile Selassie I. Marcus Garvey said, "a man without knowing of his past is like a tree without roots". • Nazarite Vow• "May the hair grow thick on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the consecrated (nazir) one among his brothers!“ Deuteronomy 33:16b: • Samson• “You are barren now but you will soon become pregnant with a son. You will call him Samson. The power of the Lord will be with him. He will not be allowed to drink strongdrinks and his hairs cannot be cut lest the strength of the Lord will leave him.” (Judges 16 : 18-20)• Cannabis • The Ganja, "healing of the nations', also known as hemp, cannabis, or marijuana, is used as a holy sacrament by Rastas in many ways. • The Holy Herb was found growing on King Solomon's grave.• Source in the Bible: "Thou shalt eat the herb of the field." (Genesis 3:18), "eat every herb of the land." (Exodus 10:12), "Better is a dinner of herb where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred there with." (Proverbs 15:17• Cont…• "He causeth the grass for the cattle, and herb for the service of man." (Psalms 104:14)• Rastas smoke herb to meditate. • It symbolizes the burning bush, and for his curative properties (ie asthma). • Herb can be eaten or infused. His seeds are very nutrious. • Lion symbol of Haile Selassie I• Unification movement • Founded by Sun Myung Moon in 1954• Sun Myung Moon and his second wife Hak Ja Han believe they are the messiah and true parents of human kind.• In a vision, Jesus appeared to Sun Myung Moon at age16 and asked him to complete his unfinished mission on earth.• Their mission was to establish families in which God’s love is manifest.• They teach about a universal God• He was to create the kingdom of heaven on earth to bring about universal salvation to all people.• They read from the Bible, but also have a scripture, - “Divine Principle” • Sun Myung Moon is known for arranging for Mass wedding ceremonies, his way of establishing -the kingdom of God on earth through these families. • Mahikari movement• Founded in 1959 by Sukui Nushi Sama in Japan. • Sama believes he is the successor of Buddha and Christ as God’s viceroy on earth.• Teachings: Science and medicine are superstitious.• Healing should be sought by the transmission of universal light, bringing peace to ancestral spirits, spread divine civilization throughout the world.• 3. Offshoots of Older religions• E.g The Mormon Church ( former Church of Jesus of