The Return of the Repressed: Millennial, Charismatic, and Renewal Movements

Abstract

In this chapter, we have examples of religions that are reclaiming ecstasy in various ways. We have the millennial movements, who believe that the end of the world is coming. They will see Christ, or the Messiah, or the Mahdi, come to earth while they are still alive, and they will be raptured and levitated. There is the charismatic movement, with the Holy Spirit giving ecstatic speech, healing and revelation to believers in various outpourings and blessings. There are also Renewal Movements, such as Jewish renewal with its havurahs and Torah yoga, and Muslim renewal in the Dances of Universal Peace. All are responses to the lack of ecstatic dimension in the mainstream religions.