New Religious Movements Research Articles

Religious Transhumanism as a New Religious Movement: Sketching a Model of the Development of Religious Transhumanism

This essay proposes a new model for understanding religious transhumanism by extending existing frameworks that have been useful for predicting the success of new religious movements (NRMs). This paper focuses on the Mormon Transhumanist Association as a case of religious transhumanism that is incongruent with existing models of NRMs, thereby highlighting the limitations of these models. First, I demonstrate how the Morman Transhumanist Association challenges religious scholars’ conventional concepts for understanding NRMs, particularly within anthropology, cosmology, and eschatology. Then, I present a model that effectively accounts for the unique characteristics of religious transhumanist groups, thereby demonstrating and addressing the field’s current lack of an explanatory framework.

Modern Religious Movements: Female Scholars as Agents of Change

This research examines the role of female clerics as agents of change in modern religious movements in the Muslim world. Using the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method, this study identifies, evaluates, and summarizes findings from various studies regarding the contribution of female ulama in encouraging social change, education, and religious policy. Data was collected from various databases indexed by Scopus, Eric, and Google Scholar, covering the publication period 2010-2024 using the PRISMA technique. Of the 301 articles, 40 were selected as research data. The findings show that female ulama play an important role in promoting inclusive religious understanding, fighting for women's rights, and developing progressive Islamic education. They also challenge traditional norms and influence religious policies to be more responsive to contemporary issues. However, female ulama face various challenges, including socio-cultural barriers. This research concludes that female ulama have significant potential as agents of change, but further support is needed to overcome the challenges they face.

Between worlds: Experiences of doing, being, becoming, and belonging for second generation adults who disaffiliate from a new religious movement

ABSTRACT Religion and spirituality are under-explored in occupational science and no research to date has addressed religious disaffiliation from an occupational perspective. This research explores the subjective experiences of second-generation adults (SGAs) who have disaffiliated from the new religious movement (NRM) in which they were raised, and challenges assumptions that engagement in religious practice is necessarily based on individual choice or automatically has positive impact on well-being. An auto/biographical approach was adopted and reflexive thematic analysis used to analyse secondary data from six podcast interviews with SGAs who disaffiliated from a NRM. Three main themes were identified: Transition, Doing things, and New self. Findings show the occupational impact of disaffiliation and how the interviewees experienced transition, reconstructed their identities, and found new belonging through the interrelated dimensions of doing, being, becoming, and belonging, as defined in the Pan Occupational Paradigm. The findings build upon research that considers the multidimensional relationship between these dimensions by providing a novel exploration of the experiences of people who have ended their connection with a NRM. This study highlights a need for further research into experiences of religious disaffiliation and the impact of affiliation with high-demand groups.

Contemporary shamanism and alternative spirituality : exploring relationships and intersections

Contemporary shamanism and alternative spirituality : exploring relationships and intersections

Commemoration of the Dead in the Context of Alternative Spirituality: Collective and Solitary Rituals

The ritualised commemoration of the deceased belongs to the most common forms of communication with the dead. The meaning that people ascribe to a religious commemoration ritual is determined by a concrete religious doctrine, although it can be influenced by a broader cultural tradition. However, in the context of alternative spiritual currents, there can be many possible interpretations of communication with the dead, as there is no “official” doctrine supported by established institutions. In addition, alternative spirituality is marked by the emphasis on individuality, which results in the predominance of solitary practice. Yet, in various contexts, the tension between individuality and community can be manifested in different forms of ritualised behaviour, ranging from strictly private performances to prescribed group rituals. The paper addresses different levels of individual and collective practice in the context of alternative spirituality in Slovakia, a post-socialist country with a predominantly Christian, mostly Catholic, population. It makes use of the theoretical tools of Mary Douglas’ theory relating to the connection between cosmological beliefs and particular forms of social life. Rituals and ritualised behaviour are considered in the case of the triduum of All Saints’ Eve, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day. The results of ethnographic research on spiritual circles operating in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, have shown that these holidays are perceived and practiced differently by people with different religious or spiritual affiliation. The individual interpretation and the degree of associated ritualised behaviour depend on personal background, as well as the social organisation of a circle to which a practitioner belongs.

Extravagance amidst Extreme Poverty? A Focus on ‘New Religious Movements’ within the Development Discourse in Zimbabwe.

During the early 80s, Zimbabwe witnessed a rapid growth of the Third Wave Religious Right Movement (TWRRM), commonly known as New Religious Movements (NRMs). These movements pride themselves on the premise that the gospel of prosperity is its central maxim. The article investigates the theological and developmental contribution of the gospel of prosperity towards its adherents' existential necessities and needs. It is on this premise that these churches have registered considerable success and popularity. This article thus seeks to provide empirical evidence on the contribution of three Charismatic churches and specifically highlight the benefits produced by this type of ‘gospel’ to the basic existential needs of Zimbabweans. The article will further explore whether or not this type of ‘gospel’ contributes to community development. In exploring the contributions of the gospel of prosperity and community development, the study will use a phenomenological approach by E. Husserl as a framework. The term means fundamentalist independent groups which often consider themselves as ‘Bible Christians, born again and charismatic, not as Pentecostals (Kalu 2008, 8). The third wave implies there was the first wave, which was the missionary evangelicalism of the 19th century. The second wave of response was in the 1920s with a “pneumatic challenge with white theology” (Kalu 2008: 8, Mpofu 2014). This African initiative in Christianity thrived on communality and incorporation of facets of primal religion and culture (Ethiopianism and Zionism). The third wave of response gave birth to charismatic Christianity, a movement of revival and renewal, a third response to white cultural domination and power (Anderson 2001). This third wave differs from Pentecostals, deriving from Pentecost with a focus on the gift of the holy spirit. Founders or pastors of this third response are central to lifestyle choices based on religious discourse. The founder leader is understood as the voice and message of God.

The Evolution and Doctrinal Transformations of New Religious Movements Deriving from Catholicism in Zimbabwe

This article delves into the emergence and doctrinal evolution of New Religious Movements (NRMs) in Zimbabwe, particularly those with roots in the Catholic tradition, exemplified by Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, Grace Oasis Ministries (GOM), and Emmaus Encounter (EE). These movements, founded by individuals with Catholic backgrounds, illustrate a significant doctrinal shift from traditional Catholic teachings to a distinct emphasis on prosperity, miraculous healings, and personalised prophecy. The study explores how the concept of confirmation, initially a rite of spiritual maturation in Catholicism, is reinterpreted in these NRMs as a divine endorsement for leadership roles. The article critically examines these movements' departure from Catholic doctrines of suffering and prophecy towards a theology centred on immediate prosperity and direct divine communication, highlighting the broader implications for religious identity and practice in the Zimbabwean context.

REACTIONS TO MODERN RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS IN THE ROMANIAN TERRITORY IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY UNTIL WORLD WAR I

The presence and emergence of Neo-Protestant cults on Romanian territory beginning with 19th aroused several reactions both from traditional churches and from civil authorities. The attitude towards the "newcomers" was different, taking various forms of manifestation. These reactions varied in intensity: from opposition to persecution. They also differed from one territory to another. The authorities (civil and religious) have acted independently of each other and in synergy. Most often the association was led by the pressure from the religious authority towards the political authority. These reactions also produced several effects among the modern religious movements. This presentation will show some of them. It is also worth emphasizing the attitude of civil society where it existed and was preserved in historical sources.

Exploring Cultural Hybridity Branded by Convergence and Syncretism in the Characteristic Features of the Pentecostal Charismatic Churches in Zimbabwe: Implications for Spiritual and Material Well-Being

When applied to Pentecostalism in Zimbabwe, the concept of cultural hybridity provides a framework for understanding how global religious movements can adapt to and incorporate local cultural elements. This process results in a unique form of religious expression characterised by convergence and syncretism, reflecting cultural and religious identity’s dynamic and fluid nature. This hybridity in religious practice is a testament to the ongoing, interactive cultural exchange and adaptation process. This article delves into the intricate cultural hybridity, convergence, glocalisation and syncretic tendencies within the characteristic features of New Religious Movements (NRMs) in Harare, Zimbabwe, illuminating their multifaceted role in addressing spiritual and material needs. Through a comprehensive exploration of selected NRMs that emerged from the Catholic Church in Zimbabwe, including Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries and Grace Oasis Ministries, this article unravels the central role of prophets and pastors in shaping the fundamental ethos of these religious entities. A striking and thought-provoking parallel emerges between the hallmark features of these NRMs and the tenets of African Traditional Religion and many other religious traditions. This parallel extends to practices such as exorcism, worship, healing, and deliverance, thus manifesting a profound form of religious expression informed by cultural hybridity, convergence, syncretism, and glocalisation. While there are ambiguities around scholarly debates on the definition of these terms, the article delves deep into the intricate religious elements embedded within the NRMs’ characteristic features, such as hymns, modes of worship, healing rituals, and deliverance ceremonies. These elements are tangible manifestations of their unique position at the crossroads of diverse belief systems. The cultural hybridity, convergence, syncretism, and glocalisation tendencies within NRMs offer gateways to invaluable networks, fostering social cohesion and the sharing of critical information. Consequently, these characteristics have become instrumental in the holistic development of individuals and communities within the vibrant religious landscape of Harare. Thus, this article provides profound insights into the nuanced dynamics of NRMs in Zimbabwe, shedding light on their various dimensions. It contributes substantially to our comprehension of the intricate interplay between spirituality, material prosperity, and the rich tapestry of religious traditions in Harare and the broader context of religious studies.

The Teen Witch and the Complexity of Care Under Capitalism Through a Case Study of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

The contemporary teen witch figure is conceived of and represented in a way that is interrelated with young adult media culture. Through an examination of the show Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, as well as teen witches in popular culture, contemporary alternative spirituality, and witch hunts in mediaeval Europe, I explore how the extra-ordinary girl figure like Sabrina the witch is culturally and historically symbolic of how care practices become defiant amidst capitalism. I draw connections between the teen witch, the teen girl in contemporary North American society, and ideology within the context of care as resistance to capitalism. Through textual analysis of Sabrina, qualitative research, and a brief discussion of the relevant socio-historical background, I emphasize that the teen witch figure today must be read within the context of capitalism and neoliberalism. Moreover, the multiple methods I use illuminate the various ways the defiant girl’s care can be both valorized and weaponized. I draw upon real and fictional girls to demonstrate that there is a link between the fictitious co-opted witch in contemporary popular media and real women who were labelled witches around the emergence of capitalism. I explore the significance of the show Sabrina, alongside socio-cultural phenomenon of present-day alternative spirituality and the ‘witch’ of feudalism in Europe.

New/Old Idea of Man in Urban Religious Communities of a New Type

The purpose of the article is to establish the specificities of the formation of ideas about a person within the framework of the activities of the new urban religious communities of the Kama region, namely the Intercession Monastery and the Family of God. These communities combine features of folk religiosity, new religious movements, and the so-called historical sects. Such eclecticism makes it impossible to apply to the communities the established research apparatus for new religious movements (NRMs), formed by Western (B. Wilson, D. Stone, A. Barker) and Russian (L. N. Mitrokhin, E. A. Balagushkin, I. Kanterov and others) researchers and substantiates the need for this study conducted from both a different perspective and involving new research methodology. Both communities act as a closed community, which is expressed in the territorial and communication isolation of the residents of the communal estate, the practice of internal labor duties, and the idea of the group as a family. The study is based on interviews and correspondence with former members of both communities, analysis of materials from a closed group on a social network, and recordings of classes conducted by one of the group leaders. The theoretical basis of the work was K. Dobellard’s concept of the so-called patchwork religiosity, characteristic of an individual’s attitude towards religion in modern culture. The image of a person in both communities is constructed at two levels: through making changes to the traditional Christian idea of a person and at the level of religious and near-religious activities. It has been shown that innovations related to faith include the idea of a special status of community members compared to other people, as well as provisions about their special role in the struggle to save the world. The religious activities of the groups involve conducting adjusted Christian rituals (baptism, wedding), elements of mystical experience (mental struggle with evil and enemies in the Intercession Monastery), training seminars and sermons justifying the special role of followers of the teaching in society. Social interaction within communities is built on a strict selection of monks, leader control over the behavior of group members, a system of specific penalties, including ignoring offenders, public repentance, burial alive and expulsion from the brotherhood. The study concludes that the so-called new religious movements are in reality examples of traditional religious sects observed in Russia over the centuries. Their values, behavior, and the image of the person are archaic, however they also include additional external elements of secular culture.

Når spiritualitet blir kroppslig

Spiritual awakening is becoming a common phenomenon in alternative spiritual communities and is no longer exclusive to a small elite of religious saints and disciples. There is limited research on spiritual experiences outside religious contexts in the Nordic countries. While relevant theological research exists on religious experiences in Christian contexts, much of the research on alternative spirituality is based on outsider perspectives that miss out on the deeper psychological phenomena experienced by “spiritual, but not religious” individuals. This article is based on three qualitative interviews with individuals in contemporary spiritual communities in Norway who have experienced spontaneous spiritual awakenings and speak openly about this. Focus is on the experience of altered states of consciousness, intense feelings of love, and physical energies in the body, which lead to permanent psychological transformation. Starting with a review of relevant Norwegian and Swedish research in the field, we apply a theoretical approach drawn from humanistic and transpersonal psychology to make sense of our interviewees’ experiences, and then discuss how these cases of embodied spiritual transformation differ from religious conversion and are better understood in terms of psychological concepts of trauma healing, self-actualization and human potential.

New religious movements as an object of scientific study in modern Italy

The study focuses on the phenomenon of new religious movements (NRM) in Italy. The work aims at identifying and analysing the main research directions of the Italian Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR) in order to distinguish its ideas from those of the secular anti-cult movement and the ecclesiastical movement against the sects. The supporters of the antisectarians study tactics of behavior of the NRMs, the movement against the sects explore the doctrinal aspects of the beliefs. The author concludes that the attempt to save adherents from the sect is not conditioned by concerns about their spirituality but aims to bring them into the fold of orthodoxy. There is a desire to criminalise the problem by appealing to the crimes of individual NRMs and extrapolating them to any manifestation of non-traditional religiosity. Since the 90s of the 20th century, the Italian scientific community opposes this practice, as it hypothetically creates a precedent whereby the state can regulate any form of religious life of its citizens, question the law on religious freedom, stigmatise certain groups of society. According to Italian scientists, NRMs should become an object of a scientific rather than criminological interest. It is therefore not recommended to use the criteria of "true/false" in their study and to consider them exclusively from the point of view of deviation from the generally recognised norm. The exploration of such movements provides valuable material for the study of such topics as macro- and micro-identity of society, "temperature" of social spirituality, openness to new religious experiences, fidelity to traditions.

Perbandingan Konsep Tarbiyah, Ta’lim, dan Ta’dib

Abstract.
 God's creatures are necessary because to fulfill his responsibilities as a leader on this earth he is none other than humans. Islamic education is one of the platforms that forms Al-Tarbiyah, Al-Ta'dib and also Ta'lim. Of the three things that are often used, namely Tarbiyah, where the word has a meaning whose basic meaning is describing growth, maturity and development, maintaining and adapting as well as supporting education which is defined as an effort to create a broad and very useful source of information. Therefore, the essence of education is to equip humans with good skills and knowledge about shapes and numbers. So being an educator and teaching is essentially a divine function, where the Qur'an emphasizes that Allah is an educator for the universe and an educator for mankind. Developing the personality of students with alternative spiritual, rational, emotional and spiritual training.

Communication of Tradition(s): Narrative Templates of Magical Healing in Urban Shamanism

The paper examines how Slovak traditional concepts related to magical healing are used in a group around an urban shaman living in Bratislava (Slovakia). It is argued that practitioners’ stories about spiritual healing are based on narrative templates which could be identified in Slovak traditional folk stories. It is concluded that folk tradition plays an important role in adapting alternative spirituality to local conditions because it contributes to better remembrance of spiritual concepts.

NEW RELIGIONS AND THE MEDIATION OF NON‐MONOGAMY: POLYAMORY, POLYGAMY, AND REALITY TELEVISION. By MichelleMueller. Gender, Theology and Spirituality. London and New York: Routledge, 2022. Pp. xvi + 232. Hardback, $170.00; Paperback $52.95.

NEW RELIGIONS AND THE MEDIATION OF NON‐MONOGAMY: POLYAMORY, POLYGAMY, AND REALITY TELEVISION. By MichelleMueller. Gender, Theology and Spirituality. London and New York: Routledge, 2022. Pp. xvi + 232. Hardback, $170.00; Paperback $52.95.

What Do We Do with the Works of Scandalous Founders in the Catholic Church?

Throughout the 20th century, new religious movements (NRMs) emerged within established religions. Within Catholicism, these NRMs are known as new ecclesial movements and communities. A significant number of founders of these Catholic NRMs have been reported and found guilty of various types of abuses, including sexual abuse, abuse of power, abuse of conscience, and spiritual abuses. This article examines the repercussions of these scandalous behaviors on the foundations and institutions established by the accused founders. Firstly, we investigate how contemporary Catholic communities employ interpretations provided by traditional congregations regarding their founders in the postcouncil era. They utilize these interpretations to legitimize the charismatic founders of their respective movements. Secondly, we assess the feasibility of disentangling the accomplishments of these communities from the shadow cast by their controversial originators. Our findings advocate for the contextualization of works authored by individuals under scrutiny. This approach is presented as a more constructive and effective alternative to wholesale dismissal.

Humanist marriage ceremonies in Poland: re-enchantment and four social constructions of the sacred

ABSTRACT The article is based on empirical research on humanist (individualized and mostly secular) weddings conducted in Poland between the years 2016 and 2020. As an emerging new form of civic rituality, humanist marriage ceremonies affect the ritual landscape of Poland, and by doing so they change the status quo. One can perceive their appearance as a sign of secularization and detachment from the institutionalized religion of the dominant Catholic Church, but also other religious transformations encompassed by the term of re-enchantment, such as the emergence of less formalized, alternative spiritualities, and changes in the field of institutionalized religion, namely its privatization. In my analysis, I go beyond such binaries as religious/secular, sacred/profane, sacred/secular and demonstrate that humanist wedding ceremonies deploy four different kinds of the sacred (the character of these categories is analytical rather than substantial): religious-sacred; nonreligious-sacred; spiritual-sacred and secular-sacred.

Religiosity and Neopagans: Testing the Use of FAITHS on Alternative Spirituality

In the United States, Christianity’s customs, calendar, and behaviors have long influenced scholarship on what religion looks like. Is this template useful for studying other religions, such as Neopaganism? Neopaganism is a set of earth-based, often polytheistic or animistic religions that lack a central authority, organized structure, or accepted texts, and often accept diverse relationships as “families” beyond heteronormative monogamy. In this research, I explore whether measures of religiosity developed on a Christian template can be applied to Neopagans. I utilize Faith Activities In the Home Scale (FAITHS). I apply FAITHS in self-administered questionnaires to a sample of Neopagans from attendees at gatherings called “festivals”, asking about both individual and family experiences. My results indicate that FAITHS can be useful; however, the principal component analysis reveals different item scaling for Neopagans than in the original analysis. My results also support the individualistic nature of Neopaganism when comparing both individual and family-setting results.

The Use of Science and Technology Among Afro-Pentecostals: A Theo-Historical Perspective from the Kenyan Context

This research article sets out to explore the extent to which Afro-Pentecostalism, as an African Pentecostal movement, relies heavily on science and technology. It sets out on the premise that African Pentecostalism, as with the mainline churches (referring to the Roman Catholics, the Methodists, the Anglicans, the Presbyterians, the Lutherans, and the Reformed churches among others), has historically relied on science and technology since Kenya’s colonial era (1895-1963) to the present moment. The 21st century has however witnessed a scientific explosion in a manner akin to the effects of the industrial revolution of 18th century Europe—that eventually spread over to the rest of the world. Through a theo-historical design, this research article has methodologically sampled some key areas that demonstrate Afro-Pentecostals’ use of science and technology. Such samplings include the modern infrastructures that are by-products of the latter, industrially urbanised areas, televangelism, technological gadgets, biotechnology and environmental concerns among other areas. The findings in this research article are gathered through participant observation and an extensive review of relevant literature. Overall, it establishes that Afro-Pentecostals, like the mainline churches/missionaries, engage science and technology as a critical missiological tool, even though the former is largely mistaken with the New Religious Movements (NRMs)—whose wayward sections employ cultic and occultist trends that lead to religious dysfunctions, some of which shuns hospitals, schools and other forms of modern science and technology, and instead embrace mysticism.