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Baha'i Who was Baha'u'llah (a.k.a. Mirza Husayn Ali)? What did he do in Iran in the mid-19th century that was so important? Was he really the Bab (with a direct line to the twelfth Imam)? Learn about the message of the Baha'u'llah and the Baha'i view of life. Web:
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Christian Science The Church of Christ, Scientist (Christian Science) was founded in 1879 by Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910). Christian Scientists believe that nothing exists but the divine Mind, and that all reality derives from Mind. Thus, one is able to achieve universal salvation from all types of evil -- including illness, death and sin -- through spiritual means alone. For example, when a Christian Scientist is sick, he or she will use prayer and devotion rather than medicine and doctors. In their study of the divine, Christian Scientists use two principal books: the Bible (usually the King James Version) and "Science and Health", written by Eddy and first published in 1875. (Newer editions are called "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures".) The main church, referred to as the Mother Church, is highly centralized. However, local branches govern themselves democratically. The Mother Church operates Christian Science Reading Rooms, where the public is invited to read the Bible as well as church publications. The best-known publication is the "Christian Science Monitor", an international newspaper founded by Eddy in 1908. Web:
Coptic Coptic Christianity is based on the teachings of Saint Mark, who brought Christianity to Egypt in the first century A.D. The Copts observe seven sacraments, baptize newborns, and participate in fasting. Learn more about this denomination by reading about the history of the Church, Coptic liturgy and other information. Web:
Cults The term "cult" is an amorphous one with a variety of meanings. For our purposes, let me define a religious cult as a group with extreme views, a group whose energy is focused inward toward the goals of the leader or the cult itself. Compare this to other, more accepted religions that have an outward focus, groups whose goals are to improve the lives of its members and even nonmembers. Many cults have a strict power structure, with authority concentrated at the top in the form of a Messianic leader. Cults are often deceitful in how they recruit, isolate and control members, how they raise money, and how they portray themselves to the general public and to the law. It is important to recognize that many established and accepted religions began as cults. It is only as they matured and evolved that they lost their cult-like characteristics. In this sense, cults are important as the incubators of new religions. Very few cults, however, actually evolve into a religion, and for the most part, cults are socially destructive and dangerous. Web:
Eckankar The basis of Eckankar spirituality is coming closer to God through dreams and the expansion of consciousness. This site explains more about the philosophy of Eckankar, gives spiritual exercises that are designed to bring you closer to enlightenment, and has various other tidbits of interest to those in search of Sugmad. On the Usenet group you can join Eckists as they explore visualization, reality and waking dreams. Web:
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Gnosticism Take a few Christian terms, add in a liberal dose of Greek philosophy, a dash of mythology and a handful of magickal rituals. Let sit for several centuries and voilą! You end up with a religion that can serve millions and is very low in calories. Learn more about Gnosticism, its origins and tenets. The soc.religion.gnosis group is moderated. Web:
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Hasidism Hasidism (or Chasidim) is a form of mystical Orthodox Judaism that originated in Eighteenth Century Eastern Europe. It was founded by Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, sometimes known as the "Baal Shem Tov" (which means "master of the good name" in Hebrew). Today, the largest number of Hasidim (as the followers are called) are in the United States, Israel and Canada. Modern Hasidism consists of a number of ultra-orthodox Jewish sects, chief among them the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Most Hasidic Jews affect a distinctive style of dress. The men wear beards, hats and dark clothes, while the women cover their heads, often with scarves, and wear plain, modest dresses. Each Hasidic sect is organized around a spiritual leader, referred to as a Rebbe or a tzaddik. Web:
Jainism Jainism is an ascetic religion of India, founded in the 6th century B.C. The religion stresses non-violence, teaches the immortality and transmigration of the soul, and denies the existence of a perfect or supreme being. These Web sites have information about Jainism history and way of life. Web:
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Jehovah's Witnesses Jehovah's Witnesses is an international Christian organization, founded in 1870 as a Bible study group by Charles Taze Russell. In 1931, they adopted the name "Jehovah's Witnesses" (from Isaiah 43:12). One of the main things people notice about Witnesses is they are active proselytizers, going from door to door to talk to people about Jehovah (God). Witnesses do not believe in eternal torment or that all good people go to heaven. Rather, they believe that, upon the destruction of wickedness and human governments, a "new system" will be established, and most of God's people will live in human perfection on Earth. Although Witnesses have a Christian love for people, they make an effort to stay "separate from the world" and do not involve themselves in excessive pursuit of material things or political and social movements. Witnesses do not salute the flag, vote, bear arms, or participate in government, nor (for biblical reasons) will they take blood transfusions. On the Net you will find a number of useful resources such as a daily text from the Bible, a listing of events, links to pages of other Jehovah's Witnesses, news stories, a listing of new releases from the Watchtower (the Witness magazine), and more. Web:
Mennonites The Mennonites are a sect that departed from the Swiss Anabaptists around 1524. Mennonites believe in nonresistance, and they refuse to take oaths. (A more conservative branch of the Mennonites are the Amish, who broke away from the Mennonites in the late 17th century.) Web:
Mormons The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes referred to as LDS or the Mormon Church, was founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith. Mormon history says that Smith was visited by God and Jesus, and then by the prophet Moroni, who related to Smith a sacred history of the Americas. Smith translated this information and published it as the Book of Mormon in 1830. This book and the Bible are the main scriptures of the LDS Church. The principle doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are: (1) The original church, established by Jesus Christ when he lived on Earth, has been restored, along with the original priesthood (the power to act in God's name). (2) God, referred to as Heavenly Father, is one of three separate personages comprising the Godhead. The other two are Jesus Christ (the living Son of God) and the Holy Ghost (who is in spirit form). (3) God continues to reveal his Word in the form of modern-day revelation, through the President of the church who is considered to be a living prophet. (4) Every person who has ever lived, and will ever live, has the opportunity to exist in the hereafter, in the Celestial Kingdom, in the presence of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father (and his wife, Heavenly Mother). Web:
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Nazarenes The Church of the Nazarene is the largest denomination in the Wesleyan-Arminian theological tradition. Although Nazarenes have a lot in common with other Christian denominations, they distinguish themselves by a belief in "entire sanctification". This involves devoting one's life to do God's will. In particular, Nazarenes believe that it is important to be of service to others. Web:
New Religious Movements Why are human beings always creating new religions, while, at the same time, preserving the older, well-established faiths? The best way to understand it is to consider religions as live entities that are subject to evolutionary forces over the course of centuries. As new religions are formed, they compete in the spiritual environment against other religions. Out of the many new religions, very few live long enough to become a major world religion (such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism). However, in order to maintain the spiritual health of the world, we must always have new religions to feed the evolutionary process. Most religions fail, but, in the rare case that one does succeed, it must change as it matures. A maturing religion must become more conservative and mainstream if it is to survive, and must develop a comprehensive philosophy, literature and tradition. Web:
Quakers (Society of Friends) The Society of Friends (commonly referred to as Quakers) began in 1647 under George Fox. One strong tenet of the Friends is that believers do not need a spiritual intermediary, they can receive guidance from within by the Holy Spirit. Web:
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Santeria Santeria (often called La Regla Lucumi) has its origins in West Africa and is the traditional religion of the Yoruba people. Santeria was spread to many countries of South America by slave trade. Members of Santeria worship a god named Olodumare and interact with him through emissaries called orishas. The religion is wrapped up in magic and forces of nature. If you want to learn more about their specific religious language and rituals, take a look at this Web site devoted to Santeria. Web:
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Scientology Scientology is a controversial global organization with its own values, literature and dogma, as well as a great deal of money. Scientology was started in 1954 by the science fiction writer L. (Lafayette) Ron Hubbard (1911-1986). Initially, Scientology was based on Hubbard's book "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health" (1950). The core belief was that a person's mental problems stem from the activities of his "reactive" (unconscious) mind, which is beset by bad memories in the form of "engrams". Through proper processing (called "auditing"), a person can remove all his engrams, thereby becoming totally mentally healthy ("clear"). In the beginning, all you needed was Hubbard's book, a crude lie detector-like device (called an "e-meter"), and a friend to help you. Since then, Scientology has been developed into a very complex system of beliefs and activities. To become mentally healthy now requires time, motivation and credulity, as well as a great deal of money. Web:
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Shakers The Shakers -- the United Society of Believers -- is a Christian sect that originated in England in 1747 and established itself in America under the leadership of Mother Ann Lee. The name "Shaker" was coined during the early history of the sect. Some of the members would become excited during the meetings and move around, "shaking off their sins". Two of the Shakers' primary tenets are communal living and celibacy. Well, any group that practices celibacy may be pure of heart, but they are going to have trouble surviving as a group. Indeed, today there are only a handful of Shakers remaining. Web:
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Shinto Shinto is an ancient Japanese religion that, over the years, has been significantly influenced by Buddhism and Confucianism. Modern Shinto has no formal dogma. Instead, Shintoists observe traditional rituals and customs based on a love of nature (there are many sacred places) and the veneration of ancestors. Shinto celebrates a variety of festivals and pilgrimages, but the most important celebrations relate to birth and marriage. Shinto morality is oriented toward benefiting the group, rather than the individual. In modern-day Japan, many people follow both Shinto and Buddhism. Web:
Sikhism Founded by Guru Nanak, who was born in 1469, Sikhism has gained a loyal following over the centuries. Guru Nanak criticized the rituals of the Hindus and Muslims and preached that the most important things in life were love, understanding and directing worship toward the one true God. The word "Sikh" means "disciple" in the Punjabi language. Web:
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Theosophy Theosophy (literally, "the wisdom of the gods") is devoted to the search for man's divine self. Theosophists believe that the universe is essentially spiritual. Evil exists only because of human desire, and can be overcome by individuals who develop their latent spiritual powers. Historically, Theosophy traces its roots through a variety of ancient mystic traditions. Modern Theosophy, however, consists of a collection of esoteric teachings based on the work of The Theosophical Society, an organization founded in New York in 1875 by the Russian-born writer H.P. (Helena Petrovna) Blavatsky (1831-1891). Web:
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Unitarian Universalism Unitarian Universalism (often referred to as Unitarianism) was created from the 1961 merging of two existing religious denominations: the Universalists, dating from 1793, and the Unitarians, dating from 1825. Unitarianism is a liberal religion that originally developed from Christian and Jewish traditions. The church has no particular dogma and congregations are self-governing. A Unitarian does not appeal to a book, person or organization for religious authority. Rather, he or she is encouraged to search for truth and meaning by using personal experience, conscience and rational thought. Web:
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Voodoo Voodoo (also called Hoodoo or Vodoun) is a religious cult, practiced primarily in Caribbean countries, especially Haiti. Voodoo was created by West-African slaves who were forced by their Catholic masters to practice Catholicism. The Voodoo traditions grew from a syncretism (joining together) of Catholic beliefs with native African traditions. Voodoo recognizes a powerful supreme god who rules a large collection of local deities (some of whom act as guardians), saints and deified ancestors. These deities communicate with people through dreams, chants and possession. These Web pages are an excellent introduction to voodoo and its complexities. By the way, to create a zombie, you use black magic to kill someone, and then revive him in such a way that he no longer possesses a soul. The result is a pliant slave-like being. (Zombies, however, are only a small part of the voodoo tradition.) Web:
Zen Buddhism Zen Buddhism (often referred to as Zen) is a Buddhist sect of Japan and China based on the practice of meditation rather than the following of doctrine. Within Zen, one finds salvation by looking into one's heart. According to legend, Zen was founded by Bodhidharma who brought the teaching of Buddhism to China in 475 A.D. Zen concentrates on enlightenment, consciousness and meditation. In order to induce people to realize the limitations of the intellect, Zen teachers will often make deliberate use of irrational statements. Web:
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Zoroastrianism Originating in ancient Iran, Zoroastrianism today has a small following in isolated areas of Iran and India. Join the discussion on this religion founded in 6th century B.C. and hear the stories of Ahura Mazda as he battles his evil twin, Ahriman. This is the stuff good movies are made of. Web:
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