THE NEW (AND OLD) THE NEW (AND OLD) THE NEW (AND OLD) THE NEW (AND OLD)

RELIGIONS AROUND USRELIGIONS AROUND USRELIGIONS AROUND USRELIGIONS AROUND US

Lay School of ReligionLay School of ReligionLay School of Religion

Luther Seminary Luther Seminary Luther Seminary

February 7 to March 14February 7 to March 14February 7 to March 14

Mark GranquistMark GranquistMark Granquist

Schedule of Our SessionsSchedule of Our SessionsSchedule of Our Sessions

February 7 - Overview on American ReligionFebruary 7 - Overview on American ReligionFebruary 7 - Overview on American Religion

JudaismJudaism

February 14 - IslamFebruary 14 - Islam

Bahai – Nation of IslamBahai – Nation of Islam

February 28 - BuddhismFebruary 28 - Buddhism

HinduismHinduismHinduism

March 7 - Latter Day Saints (Mormons)March 7 - Latter Day Saints (Mormons)

Jehovah’s Witnesses – Christian ScienceJehovah’s Witnesses – Christian Science

March 14 - New Religious Movements – Krishna,March 14 - New Religious Movements – Krishna,

Unification, Scientology, Children of God, etcUnification, Scientology, Children of God, etcUnification, Scientology, Children of God, etc

Rationale and Our ApproachRationale and Our ApproachRationale and Our Approach

America has always been the home of many different faith America has always been the home of many different faith

traditions. By now there is a bewildering array of religions (new traditions. By now there is a bewildering array of religions (new

and old) about us. Some are world religions that have come to and old) about us. Some are world religions that have come to

our shores (Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism). Others our shores (Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism). Others

are religions developed in America and spread to the world are religions developed in America and spread to the world

(Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientology, and many (Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientology, and many

others). We will try to understand these various religious groups others). We will try to understand these various religious groups

in our midst, and a Christian reaction to them.in our midst, and a Christian reaction to them.

Mark GranquistMark GranquistMark Granquist

Associate Professor of Church HistoryAssociate Professor of Church HistoryAssociate Professor of Church History

mgranquist001@luthersem.edumgranquist001@luthersem.edu

March 14 – Session 5March 14 – Session 5March 14 – Session 5

First hour - Eastern – Authoritarian ReligionFirst hour - Eastern – Authoritarian ReligionFirst hour - Eastern – Authoritarian Religion

Second hour - New Religious MovementsSecond hour - New Religious MovementsSecond hour - New Religious Movements

If you want to read a good general resource on these topics, see If you want to read a good general resource on these topics, see If you want to read a good general resource on these topics, see

Timothy Miller, ed., America’s Alternative Religions Albany NY: Timothy Miller, ed., America’s Alternative Religions Albany NY:

State University of New York Press, 1995.State University of New York Press, 1995.State University of New York Press, 1995.

New Religions – Twentieth CenturyNew Religions – Twentieth CenturyNew Religions – Twentieth Century

Twentieth Century in the United StatesTwentieth Century in the United StatesTwentieth Century in the United States

- even more new varieties of religion – imported or made- even more new varieties of religion – imported or made

Major period of religious innovation/experimentation – 1960sMajor period of religious innovation/experimentation – 1960s

- youth culture and desire to do something “new”- youth culture and desire to do something “new”- youth culture and desire to do something “new”

- Beatniks and Hippies – drawing from Eastern religions- Beatniks and Hippies – drawing from Eastern religions

- new ways to look at Creation and reality- new ways to look at Creation and reality

- visualization – mind changes reality- visualization – mind changes reality

Terms: sect, cult, New Religious movementTerms: sect, cult, New Religious movementTerms: sect, cult, New Religious movement

- how to define and sort out harmless from harmful- how to define and sort out harmless from harmful

Eastern Religions and the 1960sEastern Religions and the 1960sEastern Religions and the 1960s

“Export” versions of Eastern Religions“Export” versions of Eastern Religions“Export” versions of Eastern Religions

Buddhism - Zen (since 1950s)Buddhism - Zen (since 1950s)

- Soka Gakkai (Nichieren) - NSA- Soka Gakkai (Nichieren) - NSA

- Tibetan - Tibetan

Hinduism - ISKCON – “Hare Krishna”Hinduism - ISKCON – “Hare Krishna”

- Self-Realization Fellowship- Self-Realization Fellowship

- Spiritual Regeneration Movement- Spiritual Regeneration Movement

“Transcendental Meditation” - TM“Transcendental Meditation” - TM“Transcendental Meditation” - TM

1960s – Various Hindu “Holy men” come to America1960s – Various Hindu “Holy men” come to America1960s – Various Hindu “Holy men” come to America

Hinduism Hinduism Hinduism

Most “Export” Hinduism aimed at middle-class European-Most “Export” Hinduism aimed at middle-class European-Most “Export” Hinduism aimed at middle-class European-

AmericansAmericans

- not generally insistent on radical life-style changes- not generally insistent on radical life-style changes

- Transcendental Meditation- Transcendental Meditation- Transcendental Meditation

- Forms of Yoga – generally non-religious in nature- Forms of Yoga – generally non-religious in nature- Forms of Yoga – generally non-religious in nature

“Hare Krishnas” – major exception to this“Hare Krishnas” – major exception to this

- International Society for Krishna Consciousness- International Society for Krishna Consciousness

- attracted young Americans in 1960s-1970s - attracted young Americans in 1960s-1970s - attracted young Americans in 1960s-1970s

- took on completely the ascetic lifestyle- took on completely the ascetic lifestyle- took on completely the ascetic lifestyle

-vegetarianism, celibacy, robes, begging for funds-vegetarianism, celibacy, robes, begging for funds

Unification Church – the “Moonies”Unification Church – the “Moonies”Unification Church – the “Moonies”

Korean pastor – Sun Myung Moon – founded in 1954Korean pastor – Sun Myung Moon – founded in 1954Korean pastor – Sun Myung Moon – founded in 1954

- vision of Jesus – coming Lord of the Second Advent- vision of Jesus – coming Lord of the Second Advent

(Moon himself?) coming to complete Jesus’s work(Moon himself?) coming to complete Jesus’s work

- “Divine Principle” (1957) – work of revelation- “Divine Principle” (1957) – work of revelation

Moon and followers came to America in the 1960sMoon and followers came to America in the 1960sMoon and followers came to America in the 1960s

- began to gather in followers (30,000 by late 1970s)- began to gather in followers (30,000 by late 1970s)

- many “cloaked” organizations and affiliates- many “cloaked” organizations and affiliates

- attempts to influence public – newspapers, etc- attempts to influence public – newspapers, etc

Church (especially Moon) in tight control over followersChurch (especially Moon) in tight control over followersChurch (especially Moon) in tight control over followers

“Cult Scare” - the Nature of these Groups“Cult Scare” - the Nature of these Groups“Cult Scare” - the Nature of these Groups

Deep public concern 1960s-1970s about the growth and influence Deep public concern 1960s-1970s about the growth and influence Deep public concern 1960s-1970s about the growth and influence

of groups such as ISKCON and Unification Churchof groups such as ISKCON and Unification Church

- dramatic growth and public presence- dramatic growth and public presence

- wild over-estimates of their numbers and influence- wild over-estimates of their numbers and influence- wild over-estimates of their numbers and influence

- (not to under-estimate their power)- (not to under-estimate their power)- (not to under-estimate their power)

- question of brain-washing and mind control- question of brain-washing and mind control

- controversy over “de-programming”- controversy over “de-programming”

Nature of “Authoritarian” religious groupsNature of “Authoritarian” religious groupsNature of “Authoritarian” religious groups

- central religious leader – Messiah or Guru – group control- central religious leader – Messiah or Guru – group control- central religious leader – Messiah or Guru – group control

- limit outside access, and determines all reality- limit outside access, and determines all reality

“Christian” Authoritarian Groups“Christian” Authoritarian Groups“Christian” Authoritarian Groups

Not all groups were derived from Eastern religionsNot all groups were derived from Eastern religionsNot all groups were derived from Eastern religions

- probably more were variant forms of Christianity- probably more were variant forms of Christianity

- most were attempts to live a more intense Christian- most were attempts to live a more intense Christian

life – sought to be removed from the world (apocalyptic)life – sought to be removed from the world (apocalyptic)

- Some began to elevate leader to Messianic status- Some began to elevate leader to Messianic status

“Jesus People” and the Hippies – 1960s“Jesus People” and the Hippies – 1960s

- renewed vision of Jesus as a rebel and an outsider- renewed vision of Jesus as a rebel and an outsider

- groups of young people gathered for radical renewal- groups of young people gathered for radical renewal

- communal living and radical discipleship- communal living and radical discipleship- communal living and radical discipleship

-some became churches – Vineyard movement, etc-some became churches – Vineyard movement, etc-some became churches – Vineyard movement, etc

“Moses” Berg – Children of God“Moses” Berg – Children of God“Moses” Berg – Children of God

David Berg – Evangelical pastor who began an outreach to David Berg – Evangelical pastor who began an outreach to David Berg – Evangelical pastor who began an outreach to

Hippies in 1967 in Southern CaliforniaHippies in 1967 in Southern California

- gathered a small but intense group of young people- gathered a small but intense group of young people

- nomadic existence traveling around America- nomadic existence traveling around America- nomadic existence traveling around America

Communal living and intense social control – little individualityCommunal living and intense social control – little individuality

- periods of sexual excess – “flirty fishing” and free love- periods of sexual excess – “flirty fishing” and free love

- alternating attempts at decentralization and re-control- alternating attempts at decentralization and re-control

- shift outside of the US and back again- shift outside of the US and back again- shift outside of the US and back again

Death of Moses Berg – shift to the “Family of Love”Death of Moses Berg – shift to the “Family of Love”

Jim Jones and the People’s TempleJim Jones and the People’s TempleJim Jones and the People’s Temple

Jim Jones – Evangelical Christian pastor – interracial ministry in Jim Jones – Evangelical Christian pastor – interracial ministry in Jim Jones – Evangelical Christian pastor – interracial ministry in

Indianapolis in the 1960sIndianapolis in the 1960s

- moved to California in 1965 – then to San Francisco- moved to California in 1965 – then to San Francisco

- outreach to the poor – attempts at communal living- outreach to the poor – attempts at communal living- outreach to the poor – attempts at communal living

- Jones was honored by the press and politicians- Jones was honored by the press and politicians- Jones was honored by the press and politicians

Internal developments – Jones as MessiahInternal developments – Jones as Messiah

- Jones’ own paranoia – feared government and Nuclear- Jones’ own paranoia – feared government and Nuclear

holocaust – moved many followers to Guyana in 1977holocaust – moved many followers to Guyana in 1977holocaust – moved many followers to Guyana in 1977

- Reports of abuses – Congressman Leo Ryan visits 1978- Reports of abuses – Congressman Leo Ryan visits 1978- Reports of abuses – Congressman Leo Ryan visits 1978

- Mass suicide of members (918) at Jones’ command- Mass suicide of members (918) at Jones’ command

New Religious MovementsNew Religious MovementsNew Religious Movements

Since the 1960s, the development of many new religious Since the 1960s, the development of many new religious Since the 1960s, the development of many new religious

movements that have little direct relations with established movements that have little direct relations with established

religious traditionsreligious traditionsreligious traditions

- some are “repackaging” of older movements- some are “repackaging” of older movements

- some have new elements deriving from the times- some have new elements deriving from the times

1970s – the Cults controversy1970s – the Cults controversy1970s – the Cults controversy

- seemed at this period USA was awash in “cults”- seemed at this period USA was awash in “cults”- seemed at this period USA was awash in “cults”

- young people - being lured into them by “millions”- young people - being lured into them by “millions”

- Jonestown and Children of God – valid concerns- Jonestown and Children of God – valid concerns

- at times went from concern to near hysteria- at times went from concern to near hysteria

“New Age” Spirituality“New Age” Spirituality“New Age” Spirituality

Loosely organized cluster of religious ideas – bookstore, speakersLoosely organized cluster of religious ideas – bookstore, speakersLoosely organized cluster of religious ideas – bookstore, speakers

- ties to older Spiritualism and metaphysical traditions- ties to older Spiritualism and metaphysical traditions

- expect changes in human consciousness to usher in- expect changes in human consciousness to usher in

social transformation and planetary healingsocial transformation and planetary healing

Wide-ranging sector of beliefs and practicesWide-ranging sector of beliefs and practicesWide-ranging sector of beliefs and practices

- yoga and physical transformations – astrology – healing- yoga and physical transformations – astrology – healing

power of crystals – spiritual vortices – alternative power of crystals – spiritual vortices – alternative

healing and nutrition – reincarnation and psychic powerhealing and nutrition – reincarnation and psychic powerhealing and nutrition – reincarnation and psychic power

- Takes widely from other religions, especially Hinduism,- Takes widely from other religions, especially Hinduism,- Takes widely from other religions, especially Hinduism,

Buddhism, Jewish mysticism, and Native shamanismBuddhism, Jewish mysticism, and Native shamanism

Nature of Individualistic ReligionNature of Individualistic ReligionNature of Individualistic Religion

Much of this religion is centered around the individualMuch of this religion is centered around the individualMuch of this religion is centered around the individual

- even in a communal setting, individual is the key- even in a communal setting, individual is the key

- differing level of involvement and concentration- differing level of involvement and concentration

- some people dabble in these New Age areas while- some people dabble in these New Age areas while

maintaining traditional religion – others go all outmaintaining traditional religion – others go all out

Many of these ideas have filtered back into the general societyMany of these ideas have filtered back into the general society

- numbers who believe in reincarnation, healing, etc- numbers who believe in reincarnation, healing, etc

- people remain attached to traditional organized religion- people remain attached to traditional organized religion

while practicing these other elements “on the side”while practicing these other elements “on the side”while practicing these other elements “on the side”

Transformations: “Visualize World Peace” (bumpersticker)Transformations: “Visualize World Peace” (bumpersticker)Transformations: “Visualize World Peace” (bumpersticker)

Wicca (Witchcraft) and SatanismWicca (Witchcraft) and SatanismWicca (Witchcraft) and Satanism

Neo-Paganism worship of Earth and the spirits – New Age linNeo-Paganism worship of Earth and the spirits – New Age linNeo-Paganism worship of Earth and the spirits – New Age lin

Wicca - Belief: the older religion of pre-Christian EuropeWicca - Belief: the older religion of pre-Christian EuropeWicca - Belief: the older religion of pre-Christian Europe

- Feminist, earth-friendly spirituality – overturned- Feminist, earth-friendly spirituality – overturned

- “witchcraft” thus not “black magic” but useful spells- “witchcraft” thus not “black magic” but useful spells

- Gardner and revival of this tradition – England, 1930s- Gardner and revival of this tradition – England, 1930s- Gardner and revival of this tradition – England, 1930s

- individuals and small groups – anti-authoritarians- individuals and small groups – anti-authoritarians

- spells and earth-cycle rituals - spells and earth-cycle rituals

Satanism – very small movement – 1960s Church of SatanSatanism – very small movement – 1960s Church of Satan

- evil is superior power - thus must be worshipped- evil is superior power - thus must be worshipped

Church of ScientologyChurch of ScientologyChurch of Scientology

NOT to be confused with Christian Science! 2 different groupsNOT to be confused with Christian Science! 2 different groupsNOT to be confused with Christian Science! 2 different groups

L. Ron Hubbard (1911-1986) Science Fiction writerL. Ron Hubbard (1911-1986) Science Fiction writer

- “Dianetics: Modern Science of Mental Health” (1950)- “Dianetics: Modern Science of Mental Health” (1950)

Very strange cosmology – idea that alien beings “planted” human Very strange cosmology – idea that alien beings “planted” human Very strange cosmology – idea that alien beings “planted” human

beings on earthbeings on earth

- reality: a “therapy” cult which has little to do with God- reality: a “therapy” cult which has little to do with God

- human unhappiness is keyed to subconscious memories- human unhappiness is keyed to subconscious memories- human unhappiness is keyed to subconscious memories

(engrams) in the mind which lead to destructive actions(engrams) in the mind which lead to destructive actions(engrams) in the mind which lead to destructive actions

- Auditing: intense individual counseling- become “clear”- Auditing: intense individual counseling- become “clear”

Development of SciencetologyDevelopment of SciencetologyDevelopment of Sciencetology

Auditing is an intensive and expensive project – many levels and Auditing is an intensive and expensive project – many levels and Auditing is an intensive and expensive project – many levels and

costs escalate dramatically the higher one goescosts escalate dramatically the higher one goes

- many afford this by offering others low-level auditing- many afford this by offering others low-level auditing

- need for recruitment of new people – pyramid scheme?- need for recruitment of new people – pyramid scheme?

The “Church” of Scientology? In what sense a religion?The “Church” of Scientology? In what sense a religion?

- not recognized as such by many countries - not recognized as such by many countries - not recognized as such by many countries

- IRS finally granted non-profit status in 1993- IRS finally granted non-profit status in 1993- IRS finally granted non-profit status in 1993

Scientology – very controversial, and combative in responseScientology – very controversial, and combative in response

- very litigious – very contemptuous of psychology- very litigious – very contemptuous of psychology

Heaven’s Gate – Neo GnosticismHeaven’s Gate – Neo GnosticismHeaven’s Gate – Neo Gnosticism

Neo-Gnosticism – revival of old idea of dualistic religionNeo-Gnosticism – revival of old idea of dualistic religionNeo-Gnosticism – revival of old idea of dualistic religion

- Spiritual world is good, created matter is evil- Spiritual world is good, created matter is evil

- seeks secret, saving wisdom (Gnosis) to awake the soul- seeks secret, saving wisdom (Gnosis) to awake the soul

- soul freed from the (evil) body at death – heaven- soul freed from the (evil) body at death – heaven

Heaven’s Gate: group founded in California by Marshall Heaven’s Gate: group founded in California by Marshall Heaven’s Gate: group founded in California by Marshall

Applewhite and Bonnie NettlesApplewhite and Bonnie Nettles

- Neo-Gnostic group – leaders were inspired prophets- Neo-Gnostic group – leaders were inspired prophets

- lessen the influence of the flesh – vegetarians – celibate- lessen the influence of the flesh – vegetarians – celibate- lessen the influence of the flesh – vegetarians – celibate

- belief in the immanent destruction of the world - 1997- belief in the immanent destruction of the world - 1997- belief in the immanent destruction of the world - 1997

- suicide: free souls to catch a spaceship trailing a comet- suicide: free souls to catch a spaceship trailing a comet

A Christian responseA Christian responseA Christian response

All these “new” religions are generally not new at allAll these “new” religions are generally not new at allAll these “new” religions are generally not new at all

- “repackaging” of much older ideas – novel forms- “repackaging” of much older ideas – novel forms

Often very secretive - only they know the truth – for initiatedOften very secretive - only they know the truth – for initiated

- tight control over the group and its realities- tight control over the group and its realities

- dynamic leader who achieves god-like status- dynamic leader who achieves god-like status- dynamic leader who achieves god-like status

- religious insiders – good – rest of the world is evil- religious insiders – good – rest of the world is evil

Christianity: Truth of God is available to all – creation is goodChristianity: Truth of God is available to all – creation is goodChristianity: Truth of God is available to all – creation is good- no leader or prophet is god-like –should have control- no leader or prophet is god-like –should have control

- salvation comes through Jesus – not through human- salvation comes through Jesus – not through human- salvation comes through Jesus – not through human

actions or ideasactions or ideas