Religious Movements Research Articles

Conflict Management in Indonesia Through Religious Moderation

Humans are social beings, so it is in their nature to need other people, but in their interactions disputes often occur which leads to conflict. Indonesian society various tribes, customs, religions and cultures side by side which has the potential to cause conflict. An awareness and understanding of cultural diversity, especially religion, is increasingly needed by the community. In this case, the religious moderation movement needs to be increased. The purpose of this paper is to discuss conflict management in Indonesia through religious moderation. The method used in this research is a descriptive and qualitative one, using library research to obtain data. The theoretical approach used in this study uses Thomas and Kilmann’s theory of conflict management styles.
 Keywords: Conflict, Religious Moderation, Conflict Management.

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.

Эко-терроризм новых религиозных движений как практическая реализация философии и политики экологизма в его религиозном аспекте

The article is devoted to the consideration of the ideological and political aspects of the eco-terrorist activities of new religious movements, mainly the Aum Shinrikyo organization. The destructive activism of neo-religions is considered in the light of the ideology of environmentalism - a politically expressed globalist ideology aimed at combating traditional religions. Considering the destructive activities of Aum Shinrikyo and its leader, Seku Asahara, the authors of the article pay attention to the political goals and plans of this organization, while revealing their religious origins.

Engaged Research in the Study of Religion

The author contends that there is a need for greater engagement in research in the study of religion, drawing on his own experiences of engagement, involving the Information Network Focus on Religious Movements, relations with the media, acting as an expert witness in litigation, and participation in events which are sponsored and financed by religious organisations. Scholars frequently feel the need to “pay back” the communities they study on account of their cooperation and provision of data. This can be done by ensuring that publication is fair and accurate, while at the same time being vigilant that undue involvement and acceptance of hospitality does not prevent the maintenance of critical distance in one’s writing. Responding to individual enquiries about one’s work is also discussed. It is concluded that there is a need to consider whether one’s work is for one’s own benefit, or for the wider community outside academia, and that the aims of the study of religion need to be defined to reflect scholarly engagement with societal issues.

Perspectives on ‘Cult’ Rhetoric (And Its Future)

The ‘Cult Rhetoric in the 21st Century’ panel at the 2022 BASR conference brought together six scholars, specialising in the field of minority religion, to discuss developing trends in ‘cultic’ discourse. The panellists all argue for a nuanced, contemporary approach toward understanding the use of ‘cult’ rhetoric and have a clear focus on the lived reality of adherents and ex-members. In this article, the contributing panellists outline the dominant themes emerging in the contemporary use of ‘cult’ rhetoric, challenging scholars to move beyond the ‘cult wars’ and study of New Religious Movements to a more holistic study of everyday religion – in which ‘cult’ rhetoric is a consistent part. These reflections provide a snapshot of the discussions that were had at the BASR conference whilst simultaneously indicating what to expect from their contributions in the forthcoming volume: Cult Rhetoric in the 21st Century: Deconstructing the Study of New Religious Movements.

יהדות ארצות הברית וייצוגה בטקסט החינוכי בבתי ספר ממלכתיים, 2003-1955

This article discusses the representation of American Jewry in the history curricula and textbooks for middle and high school students over three generations between 1955 and 2003. We argue that educational text functions as a litmus test to determine the importance of a subject in the national narrative. The article discusses two issues that reflect dilemmas in public, academic, and educational discourse: the representation of American Jews and their characteristics; and the representation of American religious movements and their principles. Two conclusions might be drawn from these: Firstly, those study topics have not been altered in the course of three generations, although the presentation of subject matter has been modified over the years; and secondly, there has been a significant change in the curricula and textbooks with regard to the Reform Movement. While the authors of the first-generation texts deny the legitimacy of the Reform Movement, those of the second-generation refer to it in neutral terms, thus conveying the impression that it is a legitimate phenomenon.

Manichaeism in Fanon’s The Wretched of the Earth: Its Implications for Postcolonial Nations

In the course of his groundbreaking work, The Wretched of the Earth, Frantz Fanon has employed a splendid array of metaphors to reflect on the essential fabric of a colonized society. However, the Manichean metaphor is the best of them, which he has used to forge a comparison between colonialism and Manichaeism, a dualistic religious movement founded in ancient Persia sometime during the third century CE. This metaphor is singular in the sense that both colonialism and Manichaeism have in common a dichotomic vision to look at the world, a stupendous effort to exert their influences on the better part of the world and a messianic zeal to preach their enlightenment values at every opportunity. In this article, I am going to elucidate the way Fanon has made use of the metaphor to designate the identity formation of both the colonizer and the colonized in addition to critically analysing their similitude in vision, will and enthusiasm. In so doing, I will bring into play the recent accretions of Manichean religious and postcolonial studies in order to situate Frantz Fanon’s The Wretched of the Earth in the framework of post-colonial praxis. Philosophy and Progress, Vol#71-72; No#1-2; Jan-Dec 2022 P 153-177

Resistance and Exclusion of the Shia Community in South Sulawesi

This research aims to delves the problem of resistance and exclusion research experienced by Shia groups carried out by other religious movements and local governments. Through qualitative interviews some figures from Shia, anti-Shia, and local governments who issued regulations banning Shia. The findings of this research show that resistance and persecution carried out by anti-Shia groups are carried out through attacks to sabotage the Shia groups' religious activities, especially the commemoration of Ashura. Discrimination against Shia groups in South Sulawesi also involved government officials supporting the anti-Shia movement. A circular letter containing an appeal to be wary of Shia groups was issued by the South Sulawesi Provincial Government in 2017, Makassar (2019), Gowa (2019), and Parepare (2021). Resistance and exclusion of Shia groups in South Sulawesi have implications for the non-freedom of Shia groups to publicly declare their religious identity. Several Shia adherents eventually chose the path of taqiyah because social conditions were not conducive to the existence of Shia groups.

Illness, Pain, and Health Care in Early Christianity

Illness, Pain, and Health Care in Early Christianity

STRATEGIC ALLIANCES: THE POLITICAL EFFICACY OF RELIGIOUSSECULAR TIES*

This multimethod study investigates strategic collaboration in alliances connecting politically engaged religious and secular social movement organizations. We assess the impact of religious-secular strategic alliances on movement political efficacy by analyzing data from a national survey of the community organizing field to compare organizations that do/do not participate in religious-secular alliances. The conceptual framework draws on the literatures in social movements, political sociology, and organizational sociology to argue that political efficacy is fundamentally shaped by an organization's strategic capacity and mobilizing capacity. We analyze four organizational outputs that serve as indicators of strategic capacity and find that participating in religious-secular alliances is associated with greater strategic capacity but lower mobilizing capacity. A complementary ethnographic case study identifies likely mechanisms underlying both findings. Our analysis suggests that collaboration across the religious-secular divide can increase a movement’s political efficacy within a democratic polity but with accompanying complexities that participants must manage.

Between Orders and Heresy: Rethinking Medieval Religious Movements ed. by Jennifer Kolpacoff Deane and Anne E. Lester (review)

Between Orders and Heresy: Rethinking Medieval Religious Movements ed. by Jennifer Kolpacoff Deane and Anne E. Lester (review)

Periodical and non-periodical publications of spiritual Christians of the Molokans of the beginning of the XX century as a source on the history of Molokanism

The purpose of this article is to give a general overview of narrative sources of internal origin on the history of the religious movement of spiritual Christians of Molokans for 1905-1917, to establish the main types of these sources. The relevance of the article is due to the lack of source studies on the history of Molokanism, with the exception of brief reviews in dissertation research and monographs.

초기인도대승불교의 다문화적 양상과 종교적 전개

Indian Mahayana Buddhism has diverse theories regarding its origin, but it is believed that this soteriological religious movement primarily emerged during the Kushan Dynasty. The Kushans, a nomadic people of Central Asia who were skilled in trade, had multicultural characteristics of Greek and Iranian. They embraced Indian religion and culture, and supported Buddhism to legitimize their rule. The creation of Buddha statues in this era had a great influence on the spread of Buddhism beyond India. This era marked an ideological shift, focusing on external power not only sticking to individual performance for the acquisition of the ultimate state. Charity and faithfulness being emphasized, the use of wealth for spiritual purpose was justified. Although the emergence of Mahayana Buddhism is interpreted from the perspective of evolution and development in the history of Buddhism, it is contrary to early Buddhism based on the Shramana tradition of asceticism. Nevertheless these traits of Kushan Buddhism significantly shaped the identity of early Mahayana Buddhism.

TO THE QUESTION OF THE PROBLEM OF DEFINING THE CONCEPT OF “PLANETARISM” AS A NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE INTERNAL IDEOLOGICAL POLICY OF THE STATE

The purpose of the research. The article deals with the problems of defining the concept of «planetarism» as a new religious phenomenon within the framework of the internal ideological policy of the state, influencing the internal political processes of state administration and the nature of international interaction in the foreign policy arena. The change in the content of the concept of “planetarism” in its historical retrospective is analyzed, demonstrating the process of gradual separation of the concept of “planetarism” from the concept of “globalization” into an independent definition. The aim of the study is to formulate our own definition of the concept of “planetarism” as a new religious movement in the ideological context of state policy. This is necessary to determine the main directions of public administration in the context of value confrontation in the international arena, as well as for more effective legislative support for the implementation of the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated November 09, 2022 No. 809 “On Approval of the Fundamentals of State Policy for the Preservation and Strengthening of Traditional Russian Spiritual and Moral Values”. The laws of nature, within the framework of the concept of “planetarism”, began to act as a kind of absolute, which became a kind of scale for the ethical assessment of certain social processes and phenomena, which makes it possible to consider “planetarism” as a new form of religious movement. Conclusions. As a result of the study, the author comes to the conclusion that the ongoing socio-political processes reflect changes in the ideological basis of interstate cooperation. The basis of the new ideological orientation, called “planetarism”, is the idea of the planet Earth as a common “home” for all mankind. Within the framework of the “planetarism” concept, the planet acts not just as a common place of residence for all people, but also as an independent superorganism that has its own consciousness and rights along with the rights of the people themselves. The author, emphasizing the dualistic structure of “planetarism”, which includes, on the one hand, cognitive ideas about the unconditional value of the planet and natural laws, and on the other hand, faith in these values and ideas by analogy with religious faith, proposes to consider “planetarism” as a group of non-theistic beliefs, philosophical and ideological ideas that have arisen around the idea of our Planet as a kind of independent superorganism that gave life to all living things, has the ability of reasonable self-regulation in order to maintain life in all its diversity in accordance with the laws established by it.

Religious Moderation in the Discourse of Nahdlatul Ulama’s Dakwah in the Era of Industry 4.0

This study analyzes religious moderation in the discourse of Nahdlatul Ulama’s dakwah in the era of Industry 4.0. The objective of this inquiry is to analyze the substance, identify, and explore the actualization of the religious moderation movement in Indonesia within the discourse of Nahdlatul Ulama’s dakwah. This research employs a qualitative descriptive approach using a narrative review method. Secondary data from various sources, such as books, journals, and the internet, concerning Nahdlatul Ulama’s dakwah discourse were utilized. The research findings indicate that the substance of the religious moderation movement in Indonesia within the discourse of Nahdlatul Ulama’s dakwah revolves around the undeniable presence of religious diversity. This diversity is an intrinsic aspect that cannot be eradicated. The emergence of the religious moderation movement in Indonesia within the discourse of Nahdlatul Ulama’s dakwah prominently represents a key aspect in the history of civilization and traditions across various global religions. The actualization of the religious movement in Indonesia within the discourse of Nahdlatul Ulama’s dakwah encompasses three substantial dimensions: moderate religious thought, moderation through movements, and moderation within religious traditions and practices.

The Others: Finding and Counting America's Invisible Churches

AbstractThe 2010 U. S. Religious Census: Religious Congregations and Membership Survey (RCMS) is the most comprehensive picture of U.S. religious life, county by county. How thorough is the RCMS in covering local religious groups? To answer this question, three county snapshots were performed with collected data compared to the RCMS 2010 reported numbers. Data suggest that there has been an underreport by as much as 25 percent of the number of local congregations in these counties. New and emerging religious movements and denominations as well as ethnic congregations comprise much of this percentage, making it more imperative for scholars to develop methodologies and frameworks in order to capture these “others” and invisible churches in America.

Вплив релігійних організацій на вирішення міжнародно-правових проблем в умовах глобалізації

The article reveals the mechanisms of influence of religious organizations on international relations and the dynamics of their influence on the solution of international legal problems in the conditions of globalization. In the conditions of globalization of world processes and growing tendencies towards interdependence in international relations, religion acts as an optimal mode of self-identification of individual countries, interstate associations and unions. Currently, we are observing the growth of the number of international religious organizations and foundations, religious parties and movements whose functioning and activities are of an international nature. Religious organizations develop and adopt their international agreements, which usually do not have a normative legal nature, but are taken into account by the world community and states during the development of new international legal standards on matters of religion. It was noted that the Christian influence affects the perspective of the evolutionary movement of the international legal system and ensuring its stability. Thus, the humanization of the legal systems of states through the prohibition of the death penalty, the rejection of cruel punishments and those that degrade human dignity, the softening of the conditions for serving punishments, and the expansion of the range of human social rights have a clearly expressed Christian color. The influence of religious organizations on international law can be traced at various levels of its existence and formation. The religious factor affects the development of law as a normative regulator, as well as a form of social and individual consciousness, a mode of spiritual development. It has been proven that modern religious doctrines are an important factor that determines both the specifics of the political process of an individual state and the trends of international life. The latter gives reason to assert that despite the fact that the process of modernization of religious organizations is taking place, in the 21st century they will continue to determine the nature of international relations in the future.

Toward an integrated analysis of social movements and new religious movements research

AbstractDespite calls from researchers for intersectional studies between religion and social movements over the past few decades, scholars have not engaged in fruitful conversation about integrating the two disciplines. This article aims to facilitate such discussion by examining the topic of new religious movements (NRMs). I first review the existing literature on NRMs and discuss why NRM research has been neglected in social movement studies. Then, I explore a few research areas where both NRM studies and social movement research could intersect and benefit from a synthetic approach. Specifically, I suggest that social movement studies could advance through the examination of some relatively ignored subjects of research, such as persistent participation and disengagement, by drawing on empirical cases of NRMs. I also propose ways in which the application of social movement theories would enhance our understanding of different aspects of NRMs, such as their leadership and coalition practices. In making these arguments, I refer to one of the prominent, long‐term NRMs, the Unification Church or Movement, to help illustrate my ideas.

State, Secularism, and the Management of Islamic Proselytizing Movement in Turkiye: The Case of Hayrat Vakfi Organization

<p>Da’wa (Islamic proselytizing) is not merely a movement focusing on religious rituals nowadays. It has transformed into organized groups that can mobilize people to become a pressure group in a Muslim democratic country. From several Muslim countries, Türkiye chooses secularism as a state character where religion is properly positioned far from the state. This condition makes the Islamic proselytizing movements in Türkiye differ from other religious movements in some Muslim countries that become the state’s partners in developing the state. This article examines how state, secularism ideas, and Islamic proselytizing movements interplay dynamically in a free public sphere. This article also looks at the management of the Islamic proselytizing movement in Türkiye by focusing on Hayrât Vakfı (Hayrat Foundation) in Türkiye. This research employs an anthropological framework to ethnographically examine the multifaceted relationship between the state and proselytizing movements. This article finds that Hayrât, a Turkish organization, cultivates public trust by prioritizing matters related to humanity, economics, and education. Hayrât intends to show that Islam is not a contradiction to modernity. Finally, the result of this article reveals that the management of the Islamic proselytizing movement in Türkiye shows a multidimensional relationship between secularism, political ideology, and religious movements.</p>

Heraka: historical memory and new mythology of naga tribes

In the late 1920s, on the territory where Naga tribes resided in the North East India, there emerged a mass religious reformation movement triggered by certain political and economic factors. Over the hundred years that have passed since, this movement has undergone changes. There appeared a new mythology and new religion called Heraka. Not only did heroes of past times remain in the social memory, but they continued to live their own lives and keep playing important roles in the political arena of the region and the country. I attempt to examine the images of real human characters in the context of evolution of the historical memory and gain the understanding of the place that Heraka occupies in the new official mythology. I argue that the development of Heraka is related to the split between the dividing lines of two nationalist ideologies: the ideology of forming an independent Christian state of Nagalim within the territory of residence of Naga tribes and the ideology of Hindutva.