1
Q
Church
A
- most organized and hierarchical category
- people are born into churches and are baptized as infants
- membership is inclusive and heterogeneous
> inclusive refers to the idea that if people are members from birth then churches will seek to include as many people as possible
> heterogeneous refers to the fact that there are many different types of people, especially in terms of commitment, who technically belong to a church - traditionally nationalized; means there was a cooperation between the church and particular nations
2
Q
Church Leadership
A
- formalized
- to become a priest or pastor you need to be formally trained, usually with a masters degree and then a masters specializing in ministry
- there is likely a rigorous process discernment process of ones calling to be a leader - approved by a hierarchy
3
Q
Sect
A
- people voluntarily choose to join them
- there is often an emotional experience that has great meaning for the person joining
- membership is exclusive and homogeneous
> exclusive refers to a sharper distinction between who is in and who is out, and these believers tend to be similar in terms of commitment and practice - more expectation to attend religious services on a regular basis participate in individual religious practices
- beliefs may be stricter or more radical to those on the outside of the group
4
Q
Sect Leadership
A
- their leadership is charismatic
- one does not need approval of a formal church body or hierarchy to become a leader
- one may simply feel divinely called and gather other believers who are interested in your approach
- sometimes sects can be called denominations
- examples of sects = Baptist or Mennonite churches
5
Q
Cults (NRMs)
A
- newer than churches and sects
- loosely organized around a charismatic leader
- leader claims to have some sort of new revelation or esoteric (secret) knowledge
- organizational structure will also tend to change quite a bit over the evolution of the group
- initiation is more demanding
6
Q
Similarity between Churches, Sect and Cults
A
All associated with Christianity
7
Q
Anti-Cult Movements vs. NRMs
A
- anti-cult movement (ACM) grew from concerned family members of those who joined a cult
- ACM groups were eventually joined by ex-cult members, counselors , and experts
- ACM members expose the abuses of cults and help members get out
> one way this occurred was through deprogramming, which sometimes meant kidnapping an individual from the group and confining them somewhere to be deprogram; now referred to as “exit counselling” and is not longer widely used - ACM also lobby governments to create anti-cult laws and have taken legal actions against religious groups
8
Q
Can ACM groups help us to understand NRMs?
A
Both yes and no…
- yes, they may have an inside track with ex-members who have knowledge of the movement, but this knowledge will be negatively skewed and won’t give us a broad understanding of the group itself
> this is the problem with the method of the ACM as a whole
9
Q
What purpose do ACM groups serve?
A
Help to identify cults and warn individuals about them
10
Q
Transcendental Meditation (TM)
A
- advocates of Transcendental Meditation (TM) claim that practicing this form of meditation has individual, social, and political benefits
- TM improves individual intelligence, creativity, health, and academic performance
- if enough people practiced it there would be significant positive effects in any society
> it is claimed that these effects can be measured scientifically
11
Q
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
A
- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is the guru (teacher) who invented TM
- Maharishi is part of a tradition of Hinduism called Advaita Vedanta
- his family was from a warrior or ruler caste
- met Guru Dev in 1940
- Guru Dev was a teacher of Advaitic Hinduism ( form of Hinduism that is described as non-dualistic; the soul (atman) of individuals is identical with the divine Brahman (the term for ultimate reality or God)
- the universe, including humans, is a manifestation of this eternal ultimate reality; humans and the divine, in other words, are ultimately one and the goal of religious life is to realize this unity
- Maharishi wanted to become a full time disciple, but Guru Dev suggested that he complete his university studies and to get permission from his parents
- he proved to be an apt disciple as he mastered the Vedas (ancient Hindu scriptures), prayers, and meditation techniques
- became like a secretary and right hand man for Guru Dev. But at the end of his life, Guru Dev did not name him as his successor, perhaps because he was from the warrior caste and not the priestly caste
- advocated a form of meditation that was aimed at those in mainstream society, who lived in the stage of life known as ‘householder’ in Hinduism, and not full-time monastics - termed his technique Transcendental Deep Meditation, later shortened to Transcendental Meditation
12
Q
Origins of TM
A
- Transcendental Meditation arises from modern Hinduism in India
- there are nearly 30 meditation centers, you can find a centre in every province except Saskatchewan in Canada
13
Q
What was the original goal of TM according to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi?
A
“provide a simple and easy method of meditation and infuse this system of meditation in the daily life of everybody everywhere on earth. … this Movement [will construct] . . . meditation centers everywhere in every part of human habitation”
14
Q
Beliefs and practices of TM
A
- a basic meditation practice that is designed for non-monastics, for anyone that is not a full-time spiritual practitioner is at the centre of TM
- all that is required is two short sessions a day, one in the morning and one in the evening, for adults about 20 minutes
- during meditation you repeat in your mind an individualized mantra given by a certified TM teacher (TM can only be learned from a certified teacher)
- TM can be used by anyone no matter their stage in life or place in society
- TM has a theory of the mind
- according to Maharishi the mind is made up of two basic layers:
1. conscious mental activity
2. creative thought
15
Q
Layers of the brain according to TM
A
- the first layer of conscious mental activity is concerned with everyday activity and can be easily unfocussed, cluttered, and chaotic
- below this is the deeper level of creative thought which is generally untouched; practicing TM allows the conscious mind to settle so that the creative mind can emerge
> it also seems that the creative mind is connected to pure creative intelligence which is considered more of a universal creativity shared by not only humans but the universe in general
> accessing this part of the mind, moreover, relaxes the mind, brain, and body giving individuals more clarity, authenticity, and an ability to have better relationships
16
Q
Goals of Hinduism
A
- goal of spiritual practices is to realize the union of the ‘self’ (atman) with the ‘absolute’ (Brahman)
- Brahman is the all-pervading, impersonal Spirit that is the origin of and maintains the universe
- Advaitic Hinduism the atman is identical to the Brahman and meditation aids one in realizing this identity
- it seems that the move from conscious mind to creative mind to pure creative intelligence is a version of the unity of the soul (atman) with the divine (Brahman)
17
Q
What are the 2 major courses of TM
A
- Basic TM Course
- TM-Sidhi (perfection)
18
Q
Basic TM Course
A
- the one most people have taken
- it initiates people into TM and one learns from a qualified instructor how to meditate twice a day on your specific mantra
- the first part of the course is free, this includes an intro lecture, a follow up seminar, and a personal interview
- if you decide to go forward you then participate in an initiation ceremony with a puja (where deities are invoked and the lineage of Maharishi and Guru Dev are venerated)
- initiates bring a white handkerchief, flowers, and fruit
- important for the individual is that you also receive your mantra from your teacher; the meaning of the mantra is not important but the sound is
19
Q
TM-Sidhi
A
- this included not only more concentrated meditation but the controversial practice of yogic flying, which is meant to develop a field of energy between the individual and the ground which may eventually lead to levitation
- besides health benefits practitioners may also experience supernormal or paranormal powers such as the ability to control hunger and thirst, extra strength, knowledge of past lives, out of body experiences, and clairvoyance. More than this, however, it is claimed that if enough people practice TM-Sidhi then this will have effects beyond those of the practitioners
- it will create a Global Maharishi Effect that includes a “coherence in world consciousness” that will lead to final peace and happiness on earth
20
Q
The Growth and Structure of TM
A
- TM is best described as a social movement
- rather than developing into a church-like structure with aggressive advertising, as in the case of Scientology, TM gained popularity from the ground up
- the basic unit of TM is the local TM centres where TM teachers train people who are interested in the meditation practice
- the mission behind all the structures of TM were set out by Maharishi in 1972’s World Plan
> the plan outlined how TM would not only fulfill the goals of individual and family life but it was to influence education, society, governments, and economics
> the final vision included world peace
21
Q
Claude Vorilhon
A
- a French race car driver who claimed that he was contacted by extraterrestrials (ET) called the Elohim who want to save humanity with their superior technology
- a contactee with a unique claim that he was taken aboard a spacecraft and actually visited other planets
- he was taking a hike in old volcanos near Clermont-Ferrand when he claims a light descended from the sky and a small man emerged from a spacecraft and began conversing with him (the name of the individual was Yahweh and he was a representative from the race of Elohim)
22
Q
Raëlism
A
- UFO religion
- UFO = unidentified flying object
- people who claimed to have been contacted by extraterrestrial life are called a “contactee”
> usually, such a person claims that they receive contact through extra-sensory perception (ESP) by going into a meditative state and receive messages, which they can recite to others or write down. - not only accepts modern cosmology and evolution but also suggests that intelligent and superior life exists in the universe and has been in contact with humanity
- claims to have coned the first human
23
Q
Origins of Raëlism
A
- after a long discussion the ET asked Vorilhon to return the next day when he began unfolding the secrets of life on earth and the role of ETs
- e also gave Vorilhon his new name, Raël, who was chosen as a contact and messenger for the Elohim’s interaction with humanity
- Raël recounted this event and the contents of this message in “The Book Which Tells the Truth”
- he was visited again a second time and given more details but this time was taken aboard their spacecraft and visited their home planet, which is recounted in “Extraterrestrials Took Me to Their Planet”
- he claims in this visit that he met leaders or prophets of the great world religions, such as Buddha, Moses, and Jesus
- it turns out these individuals were actually planted by the Elohim as missionaries to the human race but the true content of their message lost
24
Q
Beliefs of Raëlism
A
- instead of humans evolving by natural selection (as in the neo-Darwinian synthesis) they argue that humans were planted on earth by the Elohim using genetic engineering technology
- the Elohim are deeply concerned about humans, since we are their experiment, and they only want the best for us and they will not impose their will, their plan must be welcomed by us
- when the Elohim return the great leaders of the world religions will return with them; in order to welcome the Elohim and help them set up a just world government Rael has been asked to construct an embassy; the embassy would be a sign that humanity is ready to receive them
- when the Elohim arrive they will help establish a new world order where love and respect for all humans will exist
- in terms of sexual ethics, Raëlism encourage sexual pleasure; traditional religions, they argue, have been sexually repressive and humanity must move beyond this
- Raëlism believes that everything is permissible as long as it does not harm anyone and impede scientific and technological advancement
- they have no problem with extramarital sex, nudity, contraception, and abortion; they support the advancement of women’s rights and sexual diversity
- there is a type of computer which records these deeds and an Elohim council decides if you will be restored
- according to Rael, Jesus’s resurrection in the New Testament was not a miracle but the work of the Elohim; so if your DNA is recorded in the initiation ceremony you have a chance to become immortal by way of genetic technology that now only the Elohim have
25
What is sensual meditation?
- sometimes aligned with TM
- based on the idea that there is a type of universal or infinite energy that connects the universe
- using music, relaxed posture, and breathing techniques, participants are encourage to not only see themselves as a part of the universe but to imagine being with the Elohim or telepathically communicating with them
> making this connection is described as a 'cosmic orgasm'
- this practice is to be done daily but can also be done when groups of Raëlians meet on a regular basis
26
When did the Raëlian calendar start?
6 Aug 1945, the date of the bombing of Hiroshima
- every year after this is AH (after Hiroshima)
- besides Aug. 6 there are 4 other holy days a year
27
Initiation into Raelian Church
- to become initiated into the Raëlian Church there is a 'transmission of cellular plan' that can occur on one of these days; a priest will lay their hands on the initiates forehead and telepathically receive their DNA which is then telepathically sent the Elohim
- this transmission DNA is related to the Raëlian view of 'conditional immortality'
- the Elohim are able to store the DNA of all individuals and if they have enough good deeds in the present life, then the Elohim will recreate these individuals using the DNA
28
Organizational Structure of Raëlism
- official name is the International Raëlian Movement (IRM), with The Raëlian Church as its partner organization
- membership can be attained by simply paying a yearly fee which is easily done online
- members are also encouraged to donate money and tithe (give a small portion of their income)
- the majority of members are simply called 'Raëlians' while those that desire to volunteer more time can become leaders and be apart of 'The Structure'
- made up of six levels, but actually beings with a level '0' or trainee
- these levels then move up from Assistant Organizer, Organizer, Assistant Priest, Priest, Bishop and finally Guide of Guides (Raël himself)
- the Structure itself has over 2000 members, while the vast majority of members are simply Raëlians
- Raëlians meet yearly for week-long summer seminars know as 'Stages of Awakening
- Raëlians are also very involved in activism; they are pro-GMO but are anti-war and anti-Catholic
- more recently they have protested for the rights of women to be topless in public and have protested the practice of female genital mutilation in various cultures
29
"Stages of Awakening"
- Rael teaches and lectures, there is guided meditation, fasting, feasting, testimonials, and other information session at this seminar
- an optimal time to build relationships with other Raëlians
- since Raëlism is a free love movement individuals wear bracelets to indicate whether they want to be alone, in a couple, or just to meet people
30
What is the Clonaid?
- a company run by a Raëlian member and Priest, now registered in the Bahamas, which claims to be able to clone human beings from DNA
- in 2003 it claimed to have cloned 'Baby Eve', the first human being ever
31
What is Neo-Paganism?
- Latin word "pagus" refers to the countryside; was used by Christians to refer to folk or traditional religions that remained outside the largely urban Christian movement
- pagan was originally derogatory but today practitioners have embraced the term in their efforts to retrieve lost religious traditions
- Neo-Paganism refers to not only Wicca but Druidry and Heathenry as well
32
Druidry
- modern spiritual or religious movement
- focuses on the powers within nature and being in harmony with it
- are also typically involved with environmental concerns and critical of consumer culture
- druidry is focused in the British Isles
- priests of Celtic culture were called druids
- modern Druids are attempting to revive ancient practices of the Celtic or pre-Roman Britain
- modern druids are less associated with other religions and are a separate NRM
33
Heathenry
- like druids, attempts to revive a lost culture; but stems from Scandinavian countries and Germany rather than Britain
- it is polytheistic, believing in many gods, and often adheres to animism (the idea that various forces in nature have spirits)
- focus on rituals that induce altered states of consciousness or trances that practitioners believe put them into contact with unseen forces and powers
- some streams of Heathenry are associated with masculinity and can take on nationalist and racist forms
34
Shared beliefs in Neo-paganism
- believe in the sacredness of nature; that nature is something to be revered or venerated
- most believe that the divine is imminent in nature
- celebrate the cycles of nature (could include the seasons which follow the cycles of the sun or even the phases of the moon)
- supportive of the environmental movement if not activists themselves
- envision the divine in plural terms (i.e. Wiccans suggest there is a Goddess and a God using male and female imagery)
- they all believe in the ability to interact with subtle processes and energies (magic), though the terminology and explanations often vary
35
Monotheism beliefs
Emphasizes a God that transcends nature
36
Gerald Gardner
- founder of modern Wicca
- while in Asia he became quite interested in local magical traditions, spending time observing local practices
- major influence during this time was reading the Egyptologist Margaret Murray
- many elements of Gardner's Wicca is suggested by Murray: covens, Sabbaths, magic, etc
- Gardner was inspired by Murray's ideas and claimed that he discovered one of these hidden traditions in 1936, the Fellowship of Crotona
- he was initiated into a coven by Dorothy Clutterbug in 1939
- moved to London and began to promote Wicca as a legitimate religion and began to initiate others into the craft
- initiated a number of women who became influential in spreading Wicca throughout Britain and eventually the United States (one of which was Doreen Valiente
37
Murray
Murray was the first woman to become a professor archaeology in the United Kingdom
- while she specialized in Europe she wrote a couple of works which became important for Wicca: The Witch Cult in Western Europe, and The God of the Witches
- Murray's basic idea was that in Europe there has been a hidden religious tradition of fertility goddess worship and witchcraft that dated back to ancient times
38
Doreen Valiente
- became Gardner's secretary and high priestess
- became an important writer and supported the idea that people can 'self-initiate' themselves into the religion (Gardner did not agree with this)
- Gardner became the head of the Museum of Magic and Witchcraft
39
2 major ways Gardner's influence is viewed
1. his writing the Book of Shadows, the manual for Gardnerian Wicca
- he was aided by Valiente who helped collect, edit, and rewrite the book of rituals and magic
2. created a network of Gardnerian witches
- he initiated many into his tradition who then brought the craft to Scotland, Great Britain, and North America
40
Valiente's break from Gardner
- in the late 1950s tension grew between Valiente and Gardner as he wanted to publicize the group more and initiate people into the group more quickly
- Valiente and others thought this could compromise the security and integrity of the practise
- she proposed a set of Laws which would guide such activities of the coven, while in response Gardner produced the Wiccan Laws, which he claimed were older
- one of these laws limited the power of the Priestess in the coven and made the Priest the main authority; after this, Valiente and a few others broke off from Gardner
- She continued to be active in Wicca for the rest of her life
- he was the first to put forth the ethical principle of the Wiccan Rede and oversaw the first publication of the Book of Shadows
- some consider her the "Mother of Modern Witchcraft"
41
Organization and Development of Wicca
- Gardner created a NRM based on older pagan ideas; controversial because many Wiccans still insist on ancient lineage
- Wicca and paganism don't have a comprehensive structure or hierarchy as in Scientology
- there are a number of traditions that seem to have been influenced and inspired from Gardner but the majority of Wiccans today are solitary practitioners who can initiate themselves with the use of introductory books or from resources online
42
5 traditions in modern day Wicca
1. Church of all worlds
2. Reformed druids of North America
3. Church and School of Wicca
4. Feri Wicca
5. Seax Wicca
43
Church of All Worlds
American Neopagan religious group whose stated mission is to evolve a network of information, mythology, and experience that provides a context and stimulus for reawakening
44
Reformed Druids of North America
American Neo-Druidic organization; Reformed Druid worship is directed toward Nature
45
Church and School of Wicca
founded by Gavin Frost and Yvonne Frost in 1968; it was the first federally recognized Church of the religion known as Wicca in the United States
46
Feri Wicca
Initiatory tradition of modern Pagan witchcraft
47
Seax Wicca
a tradition inspired by the neopagan religion of Wicca. Specifically the Seax Witchcraft is largely inspired by the iconography of the historical Anglo-Saxon paganism
48
The Coven
- all Wiccan traditions put the coven at the centre of their movement
- a small group of up to thirteen individuals, while the Priestess and Priest are the leaders of the group
- that after thirteen the group could split and have two different covens
- the idea of coven likely goes back to the suggestions of Margaret Murray but it was key for Gardner
- there is some debate on who can become a part of a coven:
> some Wiccans suggest only those are serious and have prepared themselves should join
> others are more open and will initiate anyone who is curious
- it serves as the place where the teachings are shared, where members support and train one another (essentially it is a type of religious congregation)
49
The Solitary
- the majority witches work alone
- possibly because there is a lack of resources (there are no covens nearby) or perhaps there is a worry of not being accepted
- the phenomenon of solitary practice need not conflict with the gathering of the coven since even within covens there is a focus on finding the god or goddess within
- there is a strong focus on personal gnosis (spiritual knowledge)
- the focus on solitary practice also coincides with the focus on individualism in western culture in general
> this puts a focus on individual autonomy, choice, and self-expression
50
Beliefs, rituals and practices of Wicca
- sacredness of nature
- immanence of divinity and ritual
- interaction with subtle forces/energies (magic)
- celebrating cycles of nature and life
51
Sacredness of nature
- the natural world is central for Wicca
- Wiccans prefer to practice outside, their ritual tools often use wood rather than synthetic materials, they use herbs in rituals, and they attempt to attune themselves with the seasons and rhythms of the natural world
- most Wiccans are either activists or support the environmental movement in some way
- it is also believed that the divine is present in the natural world
52
Immanence and divinity of ritual
- believed that divine can be experienced in the cycles and 'energies' of the natural world
- unique in Wicca is a type of duotheism (a belief in two gods or divine principles)
> the two divine principles work in harmony
- worship the 'Great Goddess' and 'Horned God' as an expression of this duotheism
- some believe in the real existence of feminine and masculine deities while others suggest they are symbolic expressions of a reality that is beyond human understanding
- in the feminist forms of Witchcraft espoused by Starhawk and Budapest there is a move toward polytheism (many gods) where women are encouraged to find a feminist image of the divine; here, the male form of God is totally dropped
- ritual expression of human interaction with these divine principles is seen in Drawing Down the Moon and Drawing Down the Sun
> drawing Down the Moon occurs with a focus on the Priestess who evokes and seeks to embody and welcome the power the Great Goddess, while Drawing Down the Son is the Priest doing so with the sun
- another ritual is The Great Rite (heiros gamos), enacted by priest and priestess who may engage in symbolic or actual intercourse
> it represent the coming together of the divine energies, creativity, and fertility
> the Chalace (cup) and Athame (knife) are used and represent the womb and phallus of humans
> most wiccans today prefer the symbolic interpretation of the Great Rite so as to avoid forms of sexual pressure within groups
53
Interaction with Subtle Forces/Energies (magic)
- magic is also important in Wicca
- Wiccans don't believe that magic is supernatural, that they are evoking powers that are beyond nature
- it is argued that nature includes subtle or hidden forces that are not easily detected by science but yet can be interacted with
- some practitioners suggest that there may be a psychological benefit to magic; evoking magic may trigger their subconscious, giving them more confident or feeling empowered
- others believe there is an interaction with hidden energies or real power in the objects themselves
- more recently, Witches and Wiccans look at magic as being like a prayer: putting your intentions or requests out into the universe with the belief it could happen
54
Celebrating Cycles of Nature and Life
- typically gather and practice following the 'wheel of the year'
- This is to follow the natural cycles of fertility, death, and rebirth in the natural order
- seasons illustrate this through the spring, summer, fall, and winter
- there are eight gatherings called Sabbats that follow the cycle of the sun (the solstices and equinoxes, and their midpoints)
- Esbats, moreover, are celebrations that generally occur on the full moon, which happens thirteen times a year
- the sun and moon present the God and Goddess
- at these celebrations, teachings, initiations, divination, spell working and healing rituals occur; depending on the coven or the individual practicing
- have rituals that celebrate life cycles
- a Wiccaning is the initiation rite into the coven and craft
- children are not initiated since individuals should choose their own religious path, though Wiccans who have children would likely positively promote it
- also ceremonies for marriage (Handfastings) and even divorces (Handpartings)
- believed that one is only required to be married 'as long as love shall last'
- also funeral rituals
> Wiccans like other religions believe that souls can exist apart from the body and 'cross over' into the Otherworld or Summerland
> reincarnation is also a common belief among wiccans
55
Define Religion
- belief in God and prophets
- having a sacred text
- community that shares beliefs and gathers to worship
- a set of ethical standards or rules
56
How does Bruce Lincoln characterize religion?
i. Discourse about what transcends the human, temporal, and contingent
ii. A set of practices that shape a proper world or human subjects as defined by the discourse
iii. Community whose members construct their identity according to religious discourse and practice
iv. Institutions that regulate, reproduce, and modify discourse, practices, and community
57
Lincoln's first domain
- captures what distinguishes religions from other human organizations
- this could include beliefs about God, spirits, reincarnation, or heaven
58
Lincoln's second domain
- can incorporate things as diverse as the sacraments of Roman Catholic Church or meditation techniques of Transcendental Meditation
59
Lincoln's third domain
- refers to the fact that people identify who they are by the discourse and practice, and they often get together on a regular or semi-regular basis
60
Lincoln's fourth domain
- points out that there needs to be some form of organization that carries the religion through time
- this can refer to hierarchical structures
61
Lafayette Ron Hubbard
- developed Scientology from a type of counselling
- developed the central beliefs of the movement and gave it its mission
- began his career as a science fiction writer and eventually founded a religion
- travelled widely as a youth; developed love and proficiency for sailing
- attended George Washington Uni
- injured during WWII
- began to develop a type of counselling programme when he published the article "Dianetics" in Astounding Science Fiction in 1950
62
Scientology beliefs and practices
- according to the Church of Scientology International, it is an "applied religious philosophy"
- Scientology is an example of syncretism (attempts to bring together different religions and other fields in a practical way)
- Scientology brings together the beliefs of Eastern religions (soul and reincarnation), Western church structures (hierarchy and local churches), and the therapeutic focus of modern psychology and counselling
- rather than being chosen or inspired by God Hubbard discovers this synthesis through his own genius
- there is a permanent part of the human being that is eternal (atman in Hinduism, anatman in Buddhism) that lives through successive lives (reincarnation) until it can be liberated... but instead of the traditional forms of devotion or mediation that enable the improvement of the soul through successive lives, Hubbard claimed that his form of therapy (the 'Tech' or 'Auditing') enables this escape
> the means to do this is by removing engrams from one's time track
> if more people do this, the more humanity would be helped
> according to Scientology, if the majority of the world embraced Auditing the world would be cleansed of crime, drugs, prejudice, and warfare
- central practice of scientology is auditing, a type of counselling which aims to clear the reactive mind of engrams
63
Scientology's view on the universe
- according to Hubbard the universe originally, and ultimately now, consists of "pure energy" (theta)
- thetans, which are like spiritual beings, emerged out of this pure energy, while theta and thetans created the material world.; however, thetans, though intrinsically good, became corrupted from their true nature when taking on matter (bodies)
- in terms of anthropology, each human is composed of a thetan, a mind, and then a body
64
Thetans
- the thetan is the original and eternal part of humans that reincarnates into successive lives
- the thetan uses the mind and body to work in the world
- the mind, moreover, is made up of an analytical mind and a reactive mind
> analytical mind: key in helping humans survive, which is a 'primary urge'
> reactive mind: the part of the mind that stores traumatic experiences in mental pictures (engrams)
- the time track, moreover, stores engrams of various lives and is the source of mental, spiritual, physical illness; so the reactive mind, which carries negative experiences, gets in the way of spiritual progress or becoming 'clear'
> from this anthropology health authorities and experts might be weary of Scientology's claim to cure illnesses
65
Auditing
- removes engrams to return the self to its pure nature or thetan
- central to this is the E-Meter (Hubbard Electropsychometer) which measures the body's response to questions and measures whether or not one has gotten rid of an engram
66
Organizational structure
- highly structured
- current head of Scientology is David Miscavige, whose official title is Chairman of the Board of the Religious Technology Center
- he organizational structures can be divided into three basic categories:
1. those that deliver Scientology services and products
2. those that are concerned with managing Scientology
3. those focused on community betterment
- each local org has a church service on Sunday; it includes hymns, prayers, a creed, verbatim sermons, and group processing
- services are based on The Background, Ministry, Ceremonies and Sermons of the Scientology Religion (1999) - collected from Hubbard's writing
- the site is generally not permanent and all that is necessary is a table, lectern, The Background, and a bust of Hubbard
- going to church services, however, is not necessary to ascend the Bridge to Freedom and few actually attend.
67
Those that deliver Scientology services and products are...
- similar to local churches in Christianity
- there are multiple local organizations that have contact with the public and are under the control of the Mother Church
- the Mother Church grants licences to local organizations as well as collecting daily stats and reports from them
68
Those that are concerned with managing Scientology are...
- more corporate-like and oversee how Scientology is implemented and advertised worldwide
- the goal is to spread Scientology to all levels of society
- the head of this group is the 'Church of Scientology International' and it also focuses on the literacy legacy of Hubbard and deal with legal matters
69
Those focused on community betterment...
- focuses on community outreach
- this can range from giving away free copies of Hubbard's The Way to Happiness - a short book outlining general moral principles -to a drug rehab program Narconon, to a crime treatment program Criminon
70
2 modes of scientology membership
1. client
2. trainer
- on the Bridge to Total Freedom there are two tracks:
> the auditing process
> training
- the auditing process is where an individual works through the various levels into order to attain the state of clear where they can revive their thetan; on this side, one is more or less a client and could look at this like a counselling service
- on the other side, the training track however allows one to become an auditor yourself and minister to others; it requires an individual to specifically train to become an auditor
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The Children of God (COG)
- a controversial NRM most known for their sexual experimentation, both internally with fellow members and externally with people outside the group
- the media quickly dubbed them a 'Sex Cult'
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Evangelicalism
- a large movement within protestant Christianity
- has historical ties to large revival movements in Britain and North American in the 18th and 19th centuries
- can be difficult to define since there are hundreds of churches and denominations that would define themselves as evangelical
- British historian David Bebbington suggests evangelicalism can be characterized by four distinct marks:
1. biblicism
2. crucicentrism
3. conversionism
4. activism
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Biblicism
refers to the centrality of the Bible for belief and practice (even over and against tradition)
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Crucicentrism
refers to an emphasis on the death of Jesus on the cross for the salvation of humanity
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Conversionism
references the focus on having a personal encounter with God
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Activism
- is about sharing one's faith with others whether this happens through public witnessing or forms of social service
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Origins of COG
- the COG actually began as another hippy form of Christianity, in what is known as the Jesus Movement
- The Jesus Movement was basically the result of evangelicals reaching out to minister and convert hippies in the 1960s
- potential members were encouraged to commit to Christ, abandon possessions, practice abstinence, and join the communal living of the group
- life in the homes consisted of bible studies and memorization, 'provisioning', working for the community, fellowship meetings, training in witnessing and witnessing adventures
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David Berg
- was the son of itinerant evangelists of the CMA therefore followed in his parent's footsteps
- claimed to have special spiritual gifts such as discernment, wisdom, prophecy, and speaking in tongues
- was ordained a minister himself in the CMA in the 1940s and began to focus on ministering to youth in the 1960s
- Berg's message and movement had some unique characteristics:
> he was anti-establishment (both church and government)
> he believed history was entering the end times
> Jesus was a revolutionary (Jesus was, after all, opposed by political and religious authorities of his day)
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How did Berg communicate with the group's members?
- 'Mo Letters' (Mo is short for Moses, one of the names Berg took for himself)
- Mo Letters contained news, instructions of evangelism, bible teachings, prophesies, testimonies, etc
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What did Berg's "Old love, New love" Mo letter state?
announced that his first wife, Jane Miller ('Eve'), has left and he has taken a new wife, Karen Zerby ('Maria'), whom he had begun an affair with
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What is the key feature of COG?
- leadership from seclusion
- Berg, Karen Zerby, and some members of the inner circle went into seclusion in London, England. Berg and his leadership team essentially led the movement from isolation with the Mo-Letters; after Berg's death Maria continued to lead the movement in seclusion (unique in NRM's)
- one of the major characteristics of the movement has been its flexibility
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The Growth and Structure of the COG
- communal life was central for the COG since the beginning
- the first homes were started by "Father David" and "Eve" in the 1960s; consisted of the Berg family and a few other close followers
- local communal homes are the residential, evangelistic, economic, and social base of members and members can move from one home to another
- oftentimes homes will specialize in an activity; at one point homes could be centred on some of the following roles: teachers, mechanics, farmers, communication, witnessing, child-rearing, literature and music
- each individual member and home is a part of the one family, which is considered a single unit
- the official name of the movement today is The Family International and each member is a part of this one family
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How does someone become a member?
2 ways:
1. through proselytization (evangelization)
2. being born into the movement; many members are born into the movement because COG do not believe in birth control
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Beliefs and Practices of COG
- believe in the doctrine of Trinity, that God created the world, that humans live in a fallen existence, and that salvation is found through faith in Jesus Christ
- they also believe that the end times are imminent, which some other Christians focus on
- one of the most important things is the idea of progressive relation
- eventually Berg suggested that the Bible alone was not the only source of revelation but that the COG needed the insights of his prophecies
- in terms of religious practices, members are expected to have their own personal devotion time of prayer and bible reading
Cults & NRM
flashcards
Decks in class (4)
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