New Religious Movement

By Yohane Ezala Thomas

The book primarily focuses on developments of New Religious Movements, the religions that broke away from the mainline churches. The book studies some of these religions and the reasons why they broke away from the mainline churches. While there are many reasons, exploitation, cultural values and need for change played influential in the formation of the New Religious Movements. There is also special focus on the concept of New Religious Movements. In other way, there is a discussion on why these religious groups are justified to be called, new, religious and movement. Factors that led to the rise of African Independent Churches are also tabled at advanced level. Besides, the reasons why these religions are called African, independent and churches are also well-outlined. Also, there is discussion of causes and theories of African Independent Churches. There is also critical analysis of these New Religious Movements. Furthermore, the book also attempts to discuss how these religious movements understand themselves as well as how others understand these movements. While mainline churches view these movements as non-religious and satanic because of how they started, their rituals and their beliefs sometimes, these movements understand themselves that they are genuine religious groups who care their cultural beliefs and values. Finally, the book discusses the future of New Religious Movements and their Mission Churches. It is argued that perhaps both New Religious Movements as well as the mainline churches must engage in dialogue rather than judge another one. The fact that there could be bad practices and beliefs in both New Religious Movements and Mission churches means that they all have weaknesses so there is a need to discuss and agree by removing the weaknesses from the both sides in order to have good practices. The future of New Religious Movements and Main churches depend on the issues of independence, human rights, spiritual ecumenism(unity), establishment of theological institutions, holistic approach to human problems, globalization and contextualization just to mention a few. These issues affect the growth and decline of the main churches as well New Religious Movements. For instance, on the issue of human rights such as the freedom of worship, this gives freedom of people to join New Religious Movement from mainline churches. At the same time, the right to worship is also right not to worship.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Yohane Ezala Thomas
• Release date: May 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393062134

Book preview

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD

THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

SUMMARY OF THE BOOK

CHAPTER1: THE CONCEPT OF NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

CHAPTER2: FACTORS FOR THE RISE OF NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

CHAPTER 3: THE AFRICAN PHENOMENONCAUSESANDCHARACTERISTICS

CHAPTER 4: CAUSESANDTHEORIES OF AFRICAN INDEPENDENT  CHURCHES

CHAPTER 5: ANALYSIS OF NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

CHAPTER 6: NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS’ SELF-UNDERSTANDING AND TTITUDES OF MISSION CHURCHES

CHAPTER 7: THE FUTURE OFNEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

FINAL WORD

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

FOREWORD

The need to have sound theological and religious knowledge has contributed to the publication of this book. This is a brief book that equips Christians with knowledge in as far as the study of New Religious Movements is concerned. This book takes a critical look at some of the New Religious Movements that emerged not only in Africa but also in the whole world. The book examines the causes and impacts of these New Religious Movements on missionary churches and local people. The book also addresses the problems that affect the church today.

It is believed that lack of thorough understanding of theological knowledge causes various problems not only in churches but also in our contemporary societies today. It is against this background that this book has been authored.

The book is written for all Christians and non-believers who like to have thorough understanding of the theological and religious issues. It is our sincere hope that you will find this book useful. May God bless you as you read this book!

THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

I sincerely appreciate all well-wishers for the provision of much needed-support to make this publication possible. My heartfelt appreciations also go to all people who have assisted us in one way or another. Your support, guidance and encouragements cannot be taken for granted. It is my hope that you will continue helping me so that our project should bear desired fruits.

SUMMARY

The book primarily focuses on developments of New Religious Movements, the religions that broke away from the mainline churches. The book studies some of these religions and the reasons why they broke away from the mainline churches. While there are many reasons, exploitation, cultural values and need for change played influential in the formation of the New Religious Movements. There is also special focus on the concept of New Religious Movements. In other way, there is a discussion on why these religious groups are justified to be called, new, religious and movement. Factors that led to the rise of African Independent Churches are also tabled at advanced level. Besides, the reasons why these religions are called African, independent and churches are also well-outlined. Also, there is discussion of causes and theories of African Independent Churches. There is also critical analysis of these New Religious Movements. Furthermore, the book also attempts to discuss how these religious movements understand themselves as well as how others understand these movements. While mainline churches view these movements as non-religious and satanic because of how they started, their rituals and their beliefs sometimes, these movements understand themselves that they are genuine religious groups who care their cultural beliefs and values. Finally, the book discusses the future of New Religious Movements and their Mission Churches. It is argued that perhaps both New Religious Movements as well as the mainline churches must engage in dialogue rather than judge another one. The fact that there could be bad practices and beliefs in both New Religious Movements and Mission churches means that they all have weaknesses so there is a need to discuss and agree by removing the weaknesses from the both sides in order to have good practices. The future of New Religious Movements and Main churches depend on the issues of independence, human rights, spiritual ecumenism(unity), establishment of theological institutions, holistic approach to human problems, globalization and contextualization just to mention a few. These issues affect the growth and decline of the main churches as well New Religious Movements. For instance, on the issue of human rights such as the freedom of worship, this gives freedom of people to join New Religious Movement from mainline churches. At the same time, the right to worship is also right not to worship.

CHAPTER 1

THE CONCEPT OF NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT

There is a belief that we have new religious movements. The truth is that they are not new if these groups began early 1800s as some people argue but are called new because their impacts are experienced now. 

Kendall observes that the term New Religious Movement or NRMs describes a large number of groups or organizations which are diverse in their practice and belief structures as the established religions but we cannot apply such term to the established.  This New Religious Movements refer to plurality