REL 101REL 101
Introduction to ReligionIntroduction to Religion
New Religious MovementsNew Religious Movements
OrOr
Cults and SectsCults and Sects
Part IIPart II

The Unification Church (Moonies)The Unification Church (Moonies)
 Founded by Sung MyungFounded by Sung Myung
Moon in 1954 in Seoul, KoreaMoon in 1954 in Seoul, Korea
 Claimed a direct revelationClaimed a direct revelation
from God directing him tofrom God directing him to
continue the work that Jesuscontinue the work that Jesus
failed to completefailed to complete
 Believes communication withBelieves communication with
the spirits of deadthe spirits of dead
 Well known for its massWell known for its mass
marriage ceremoniesmarriage ceremonies
 Openly uses its operations forOpenly uses its operations for
the acquisition of wealththe acquisition of wealth

Church of ScientologyChurch of Scientology
 Founded by L. Ron Hubbard inFounded by L. Ron Hubbard in
1953.1953.
 The individual is not a body butThe individual is not a body but
a spirit (thetan)a spirit (thetan)
 Hubbard teachesHubbard teaches
“Exteriorization” which is the“Exteriorization” which is the
ability of the thetan to leaveability of the thetan to leave
the body and existthe body and exist
independent of the flesh.independent of the flesh.
 With the act of exteriorization,With the act of exteriorization,
the individual gains thethe individual gains the
certainty that he is himself, ancertainty that he is himself, an
immortal spiritual being, andimmortal spiritual being, and
not a body.not a body.

Church of ScientologyChurch of Scientology

Branch DavidianBranch Davidian
 An offshoot of theAn offshoot of the
Seventh DaySeventh Day
Adventist church.Adventist church.
 Apocalyptic in nature.Apocalyptic in nature.
 Made famous byMade famous by
David Koresh and theDavid Koresh and the
commune at Wacocommune at Waco
Texas (1993).Texas (1993).
 Resulted in the deathResulted in the death
of 76 people.of 76 people.

The People’s TempleThe People’s Temple
 Founded by Jim Jones inFounded by Jim Jones in
1955.1955.
 Espoused communismEspoused communism
and communal living.and communal living.
 Apocalyptic in nature.Apocalyptic in nature.
 In response to resistanceIn response to resistance
in the U.S. Jones foundedin the U.S. Jones founded
the Jonestown Communethe Jonestown Commune
in Guyana.in Guyana.
 Ended in the massEnded in the mass
suicide of 917 members.suicide of 917 members.

SummarySummary
 New Religious MovementsNew Religious Movements
 Covers a wide range of religious movements.Covers a wide range of religious movements.
 Usually rely on a unique revelation given to anUsually rely on a unique revelation given to an
individual.individual.
 Often develops in reaction to perceivedOften develops in reaction to perceived
inadequacies of established religions.inadequacies of established religions.
 Generally incorporates terms, rituals, andGenerally incorporates terms, rituals, and
themes from established religions in order tothemes from established religions in order to
establish legitimacy.establish legitimacy.

ActivityActivity
 With your group develop your own “NewWith your group develop your own “New
Religious Movement”.Religious Movement”.
 Incorporate the object you have received.Incorporate the object you have received.
 Explain:Explain:
 Something about the unique revelation and/or theSomething about the unique revelation and/or the
founder of the movement.founder of the movement.
 What aspects of established religion it hasWhat aspects of established religion it has
appropriated (The established religion can beappropriated (The established religion can be
something other than Christianity).something other than Christianity).
 The societal or religious conditions that contributed toThe societal or religious conditions that contributed to
its growth.its growth.