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New Religious Movements (NRMs) are exclusively defined as groups originating entirely independently, without encompassing branches or developments from existing religious traditions.
Answer: False
Explanation: The definition of New Religious Movements (NRMs) includes groups that may be entirely novel or branches of existing religions that have diverged significantly from established denominations.
A New Religious Movement (NRM) is characterized as a religious or spiritual group possessing modern origins and existing on the periphery of its society's dominant religious culture.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement accurately reflects a common scholarly characterization of New Religious Movements (NRMs) as groups with modern origins situated outside the mainstream religious landscape.
Scholars estimate that the global number of New Religious Movements (NRMs) is in the low hundreds.
Answer: False
Explanation: Scholarly estimates suggest that New Religious Movements (NRMs) number in the tens of thousands worldwide, not the low hundreds.
There is a universally agreed-upon definition and set of criteria for what constitutes a 'new religious movement'.
Answer: False
Explanation: Scholarly consensus on a single, universally agreed-upon definition for 'new religious movement' is lacking; the term itself is subject to ongoing debate and interpretation.
Some scholars define 'new' religions as those originating after the major established religions like Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam.
Answer: True
Explanation: One perspective among scholars is to define 'new' religions based on their emergence relative to the major world religions, often considering those founded after the major traditions as 'new'.
'UFO religions' are NRMs that exclusively focus on extraterrestrial life without any traditional religious principles.
Answer: False
Explanation: So-called 'UFO religions' are NRMs that integrate beliefs in extraterrestrial life with traditional religious principles, rather than exclusively focusing on the former without any religious underpinnings.
It is easy to make broad generalizations about NRMs because they share many common characteristics, including their newness.
Answer: False
Explanation: Making broad generalizations about NRMs is challenging precisely because they exhibit significant diversity and do not share a uniform set of characteristics, even regarding their 'newness'.
NRM scriptures never incorporate modern scientific knowledge.
Answer: False
Explanation: Many NRM scriptures do incorporate modern scientific knowledge, sometimes aiming to reconcile scientific and religious perspectives.
What is the primary characteristic defining a New Religious Movement (NRM)?
Answer: Religious or spiritual groups with modern origins existing on the periphery of dominant religious culture.
Explanation: A core characteristic defining New Religious Movements (NRMs) is their modern origin coupled with their position on the periphery of a society's dominant religious culture.
How do scholars estimate the global number of New Religious Movements?
Answer: They are estimated to be in the tens of thousands worldwide.
Explanation: Scholars estimate the global number of New Religious Movements (NRMs) to be in the tens of thousands, acknowledging the difficulty in precise enumeration but indicating a substantial quantity.
What is the status of the definition of 'new religious movement' among scholars?
Answer: It is debated, with no single agreed-upon definition.
Explanation: The definition of a 'new religious movement' remains a subject of scholarly debate, lacking a single, universally accepted set of criteria.
Which timeframe is suggested by some scholars as a defining period for 'new' religions?
Answer: The 1950s or the end of World War II (1945).
Explanation: Some scholars propose the 1950s or the post-World War II era (1945) as a significant period for defining 'new' religions, distinguishing them from older, established traditions.
What is a characteristic of 'UFO religions' like the Aetherius Society?
Answer: They combine beliefs in extraterrestrial life with traditional religious principles.
Explanation: 'UFO religions' are characterized by their integration of beliefs concerning extraterrestrial life with established religious principles.
According to scholars like Eileen Barker and J. Gordon Melton, what is difficult about NRMs?
Answer: Making generalizations about them due to significant differences between groups.
Explanation: Scholars like Eileen Barker and J. Gordon Melton emphasize the difficulty in making broad generalizations about New Religious Movements due to the substantial diversity and differences among them.
How do NRMs frequently describe their own place in time?
Answer: As reviving forgotten truths rather than introducing entirely new ones.
Explanation: New Religious Movements often articulate their significance by asserting that they are reviving lost or forgotten truths, rather than presenting entirely novel concepts.
Why do scholars advocate for dropping the term 'cult'?
Answer: It has become too laden with negative connotations.
Explanation: Scholars advocate for discontinuing the use of the term 'cult' in academic discourse due to its strong negative connotations and pejorative implications, preferring more neutral terminology like 'new religious movement'.
The term 'new religions' is a calque of a Japanese term developed to describe what?
Answer: The proliferation of Japanese new religions after World War II.
Explanation: The term 'new religions' is a direct translation (calque) of the Japanese term 'shinshūkyō,' which was coined to describe the significant increase in new religious movements in Japan following World War II.
How did J. Gordon Melton suggest defining NRMs in relation to societal norms?
Answer: By how dominant religious and secular forces treat them as 'unacceptably different'.
Explanation: J. Gordon Melton proposed defining New Religious Movements based on their perception by dominant societal forces as 'unacceptably different,' highlighting social reaction as a key criterion.
What caution did Eileen Barker raise regarding Melton's approach to defining NRMs?
Answer: It overlooked the importance of 'newness' as a key characteristic.
Explanation: Eileen Barker cautioned that J. Gordon Melton's definition of New Religious Movements might neglect the significance of 'newness' itself, arguing that the very novelty of these movements explains many of their distinctive characteristics.
What do scholars Olav Hammer and Mikael Rothstein argue about 'new religions'?
Answer: They are simply young religions and not inherently different from established movements.
Explanation: Olav Hammer and Mikael Rothstein posit that 'new religions' are essentially young religions and do not possess inherent differences from established movements, suggesting that perceived distinctions are often amplified by popular discourse and media.
The Latter Day Saint movement was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Latter Day Saint movement, a significant New Religious Movement, was indeed founded by Joseph Smith in 1830.
Tenrikyo began in Japan in 1938.
Answer: False
Explanation: Tenrikyo originated in Japan in 1838, not 1938.
Bábism was established in Iran in 1844, leading to the Baháʼí Faith founded later by Baháʼu'lláh.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bábism was established in Iran in 1844, and the Baháʼí Faith subsequently emerged from this movement, founded by Baháʼu'lláh.
Donghak, later known as Cheondoism, was founded in China in 1860.
Answer: False
Explanation: Donghak, later known as Cheondoism, was founded in Korea in 1860, not China.
The Ahmadiyya movement, an Islamic branch, was founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in 1989.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Ahmadiyya movement was founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in 1889, not 1989.
The Nazareth Baptist Church was founded in South Africa in 1911 by Isaiah Shembe.
Answer: True
Explanation: Isaiah Shembe founded the Nazareth Baptist Church in South Africa in 1911, establishing one of the largest African initiated churches.
The 1930s saw the rise of movements like Scientology and the Unification Church.
Answer: False
Explanation: Scientology and the Unification Church both emerged in the 1950s, not the 1930s. The 1930s saw the rise of other NRMs such as the Nation of Islam and Jehovah's Witnesses.
Gerald Gardner began outlining the modern pagan religion of Wicca in the 1960s.
Answer: False
Explanation: Gerald Gardner began outlining the modern pagan religion of Wicca in the 1940s, not the 1960s.
Scientology was founded in the United States in 1954 by L. Ron Hubbard.
Answer: True
Explanation: L. Ron Hubbard founded Scientology in the United States in 1954.
Eckankar was founded in 1965 by Paul Twitchell and is derived partly from Sant Mat traditions.
Answer: True
Explanation: Eckankar, founded by Paul Twitchell in 1965, draws partly from Sant Mat traditions.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was founded in 1966 by Anton LaVey.
Answer: False
Explanation: ISKCON was founded in 1966 by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Anton LaVey founded the Church of Satan in the same year.
The Beatles' visit to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1967 brought public attention to the Transcendental Meditation movement.
Answer: True
Explanation: The visit of The Beatles to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1967 significantly increased public awareness of the Transcendental Meditation movement.
Falun Gong was initially suppressed by the Chinese government upon its public introduction in 1992.
Answer: False
Explanation: Falun Gong was initially accepted by the Chinese government following its public introduction in 1992; suppression efforts began later, in 1999.
Which major new religious movement was founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith?
Answer: The Latter Day Saint movement.
Explanation: The Latter Day Saint movement, founded by Joseph Smith in 1830, is one of the most prominent and largest New Religious Movements originating in the 19th century.
In what year did Tenrikyo begin in Japan?
Answer: 1838.
Explanation: Tenrikyo, a significant Japanese New Religious Movement, was founded in 1838.
Bábism was established in Iran in 1844, from which which other significant religious movement was later founded?
Answer: The Baháʼí Faith.
Explanation: The Baháʼí Faith emerged from Bábism, which was established in Iran in 1844. Baháʼu'lláh later founded the Baháʼí Faith.
Donghak, later known as Cheondoism, was founded in Korea in what year?
Answer: 1860.
Explanation: Donghak, which later evolved into Cheondoism, was founded in Korea by Choi Jae-Woo in 1860.
The Ahmadiyya movement, an Islamic branch, was founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in what year?
Answer: 1889.
Explanation: Mirza Ghulam Ahmad founded the Ahmadiyya movement, an Islamic branch, in 1889.
The Unity Church, identified as the first New Thought denomination, was founded in the United States in what year?
Answer: 1891.
Explanation: The Unity Church, recognized as the first New Thought denomination, was established in the United States in 1891.
What was the significance of the 1893 Parliament of the World's Religions held in Chicago?
Answer: It provided Asian religious teachers their first wide American audience and included NRMs like Spiritualism.
Explanation: The 1893 Parliament of the World's Religions was significant for providing Asian religious figures a broad platform in America and for including emergent movements such as Spiritualism and the Baháʼí Faith.
The Nazareth Baptist Church, considered one of the largest modern African initiated churches, was founded in South Africa in what year?
Answer: 1911.
Explanation: Isaiah Shembe founded the Nazareth Baptist Church in South Africa in 1911, establishing it as a major African initiated church.
Which of the following movements emerged in the 1930s?
Answer: The Nation of Islam and Jehovah's Witnesses.
Explanation: The 1930s witnessed the emergence of several New Religious Movements, including the Nation of Islam and Jehovah's Witnesses in the United States.
Gerald Gardner began outlining the modern pagan religion of Wicca in which decade?
Answer: 1940s.
Explanation: Gerald Gardner commenced the outlining of Wicca, a modern pagan religion, during the 1940s.
Scientology was founded in the United States in 1954 by whom?
Answer: L. Ron Hubbard.
Explanation: L. Ron Hubbard established Scientology in the United States in 1954.
The Unification Church was founded in South Korea in 1954 by whom?
Answer: Sun Myung Moon.
Explanation: Sun Myung Moon founded the Unification Church in South Korea in 1954.
Eckankar was founded in 1965 by Paul Twitchell and is derived partly from which tradition?
Answer: Sant Mat traditions.
Explanation: Eckankar, founded by Paul Twitchell in 1965, draws inspiration and principles partly from Sant Mat traditions.
In 1966, Anton LaVey founded which organization?
Answer: The Church of Satan.
Explanation: Anton LaVey established the Church of Satan in 1966.
What event brought public attention to the Transcendental Meditation movement in 1967?
Answer: The Beatles' visit to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
Explanation: The visit of The Beatles to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1967 significantly elevated public awareness of the Transcendental Meditation movement.
What was the initial reception of Falun Gong in China after its public teaching began in 1992?
Answer: It was initially accepted by the Chinese government.
Explanation: Upon its public introduction in China in 1992, Falun Gong was initially accepted by the government, with widespread practice occurring before later suppression efforts.
The academic study of new religious movements developed into a distinct field in the early 1960s.
Answer: False
Explanation: The distinct academic field dedicated to the study of new religious movements, often termed 'new religions studies' (NRS), emerged and solidified primarily in the 1970s, not the early 1960s.
Scholars see the rise of NRMs in modernity as unrelated to societal processes like globalization or secularization.
Answer: False
Explanation: Scholars widely view the emergence of NRMs in modernity as intrinsically linked to and influenced by societal processes such as secularization, globalization, detraditionalization, and individualization.
New religious movements expanded significantly in many nations during the 1950s and 1960s, coinciding with the height of counterculture movements.
Answer: True
Explanation: The period of the 1950s and 1960s saw a significant expansion of New Religious Movements globally, concurrent with the rise of counterculture movements.
In the 21st century, NRMs primarily use the internet for historical archiving and academic research.
Answer: False
Explanation: In the 21st century, NRMs utilize the internet extensively for disseminating information, recruiting members, and conducting online activities, rather than solely for archiving or research.
Elijah Siegler observed in 2007 that concepts introduced by NRMs have become integrated into mainstream global culture.
Answer: True
Explanation: Elijah Siegler noted in 2007 that many concepts initially associated with NRMs, often categorized as 'New Age' ideas, have been assimilated into mainstream global culture.
When did a distinct academic field dedicated to the study of new religious movements emerge?
Answer: In the 1970s.
Explanation: The academic study of new religious movements coalesced into a distinct field during the 1970s, supported by dedicated scholarly organizations and publications.
Societal processes like secularization, globalization, and individualization are seen as contributing to the rise of NRMs in what context?
Answer: Modernity.
Explanation: Scholars contextualize the rise of New Religious Movements (NRMs) within the framework of modernity, identifying processes such as secularization, globalization, and individualization as key contributing factors.
New religious movements expanded significantly during the 1950s and 1960s, coinciding with what societal trend?
Answer: The height of counterculture movements.
Explanation: The significant expansion of New Religious Movements in the 1950s and 1960s occurred concurrently with the rise and peak influence of counterculture movements.
How are many NRMs utilizing the internet in the 21st century?
Answer: To conduct online meetings, disseminate information, and recruit members.
Explanation: In the 21st century, the internet serves as a vital tool for NRMs, facilitating information dissemination, member recruitment, and the organization of online communal activities.
What did Elijah Siegler note in 2007 regarding concepts introduced by NRMs?
Answer: They had become integrated into mainstream global culture.
Explanation: Elijah Siegler observed in 2007 that concepts originating from NRMs had permeated and become integrated into the broader mainstream global culture.
Which of the following is NOT one of the three paramount questions orienting theory and research on NRMs, according to David G. Bromley?
Answer: Determining the exact number of NRMs in every country.
Explanation: Sociologist David G. Bromley identifies three primary orienting questions for NRM research: distinguishing markers, classification and societal relations, and responses to sociocultural dislocations. Determining exact numbers is not considered one of these paramount questions.
Which discipline played a particularly prominent role in the *early* development of new religions studies?
Answer: Sociology.
Explanation: Sociology played a particularly influential role in the foundational stages of new religions studies, shaping early theoretical frameworks and research questions.
Why has most scholarly research been directed towards controversial NRMs?
Answer: Because they attract public controversy.
Explanation: Scholarly attention has disproportionately focused on controversial New Religious Movements, largely due to the public attention and debate they generate.
New religious movements have historically faced opposition primarily from other NRMs.
Answer: False
Explanation: Historically, New Religious Movements have encountered opposition more frequently from established religious organizations and secular institutions rather than primarily from other NRMs.
Secular anti-cult movements and Christian countercult movements emerged in Western nations during the 1970s and 1980s to oppose NRMs.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1970s and 1980s witnessed the rise of organized secular anti-cult movements and Christian countercult movements in Western societies, specifically targeting New Religious Movements.
Violent incidents involving NRMs are common and frequently involve large numbers of members.
Answer: False
Explanation: Violent incidents involving NRMs are exceedingly rare. When large-scale tragic events occur, they are typically instigated or led by a specific charismatic leader.
Who primarily emerged in Western nations during the 1970s and 1980s to oppose new religious movements?
Answer: Secular anti-cult movements and Christian countercult movements.
Explanation: During the 1970s and 1980s, secular anti-cult movements and Christian countercult movements became prominent forces in Western nations, actively opposing new religious movements.
The term 'cult wars' emerged in the 1970s, led by groups primarily charging NRMs with what?
Answer: Psychological abuse of their members.
Explanation: During the 'cult wars' era of the 1970s, anti-cult groups primarily accused New Religious Movements (often pejoratively termed 'cults') of inflicting psychological abuse upon their members.
What phenomenon became a distinct public fear prominent in the 1980s, fueled by the anti-cult movement?
Answer: The 'Satanic Panic'.
Explanation: The 'Satanic Panic,' a period of heightened public fear concerning alleged Satanic activities, gained prominence in the 1980s, significantly influenced by the discourse of the anti-cult movement.
How has the news media been criticized regarding its portrayal of NRMs?
Answer: For failing to recognize social-scientific efforts and using popular definitions.
Explanation: The news media has faced criticism for often neglecting social-scientific perspectives on NRMs, instead relying on popular or sensationalized definitions and narratives.
When large-scale casualty events occur involving NRMs, how are they typically led?
Answer: By charismatic leaders.
Explanation: Large-scale tragic events involving New Religious Movements are typically characterized by leadership from a charismatic figure.
Mary Baker Eddy planned for the succession of Christian Science by developing what document?
Answer: 'The Manual of the Mother Church'.
Explanation: Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, meticulously developed 'The Manual of the Mother Church' to guide the movement's structure and succession after her death.
What challenges arose from the succession plan established by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in ISKCON?
Answer: Many problems followed from the appointment of 11 'Western Gurus'.
Explanation: Following A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's appointment of eleven 'Western Gurus' to lead ISKCON, the movement encountered significant challenges and problems related to this succession plan.
What is a typical demographic characteristic of NRM members compared to mainstream congregations?
Answer: They typically consist largely of first-generation believers and often have a younger average membership.
Explanation: New Religious Movements often attract first-generation believers and tend to have a younger average membership compared to more established religious congregations.
According to sociologist Marc Galanter, what are common reasons people join NRMs?
Answer: A search for community and a spiritual quest.
Explanation: Sociologist Marc Galanter identifies a search for community and a spiritual quest as common motivations for individuals joining New Religious Movements.
What does academic research indicate about the 'brainwashing' hypothesis concerning NRM recruitment?
Answer: It suggests NRMs use techniques that are not supported by academic research.
Explanation: Academic research generally finds no empirical support for the 'brainwashing' hypothesis as applied to New Religious Movement recruitment, indicating that the alleged mind control techniques lack substantiation.
What difficulty might individuals face when leaving an NRM?
Answer: They may experience mixed emotions and abandon a familiar framework.
Explanation: Individuals departing from New Religious Movements may encounter significant challenges, including emotional complexity and the loss of a structured, familiar social and ideological framework.