DISCUSSION ON AN OLD, A CLASSICAL AND A NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT
OLD NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT: SPIRITUALISM
Spiritualism emerged in the United States of America in the mid
nineteenth century by Kate and Margaret Fox and was introduced to
the United Kingdom when American Maria Hayden visited Britain a
few year later. Spiritualists believed that the spirits of people who had
passed away remained alive in the spirit dimension, and that these
spirits could be contacted by those with the necessary the gift or skill.
During seances, the mediums would direct questions raised by their
clients to the spirits, who would answer by knocking on or turning of
tables, or directly through the medium. In this fashion people believed
that they could communicate with the dead.
Spiritualism was not seen as deviance from the Christian religion,
which was the predominant religion in the two above-mentioned
countries at the time. It was, in fact, practiced by both Christians and The Fox sisters
non-Christians alike. The movement did not distinguish between class
or gender either. Most spiritual mediums were women and the movement was concerned about
women’s rights. Spiritualism was a formal religious movement with a number of publications and
newspapers dedicated to news of the spirit world and spiritualists. The religion is still practiced today
in many countries, including South Africa.
CLASSICAL NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT: SCIENTOLOGY
Scientology was founded by L. Ron Hubbard in the middle of the twentieth century. The name
“scientology” is made up from the Latin words scio, which means to know, and logos, which can be
roughly translated as knowledge. Scientology is therefore to know about knowledge, or in the words
of its founder, “science of knowledge”. The Church of Scientology is led by David Miscavige.
Scientologists proclaim that they offer “a precise path leading to a
complete and certain understanding of one’s true spiritual nature” as
well as relationships with others, nature and the Supreme Being. They
believe that humans are in fact immortal alien spiritual beings trapped
in earthly bodies.
Scientologists believe that man can be saved through his own good
David Miscavige deeds. The Church of Scientology does mission work and humanitarian
work. It offers drug abuse counselling and runs rehabilitation centres.
The church also has prison programs in the United States. It has established churches in the United
States, Europe, the United Kingdom, Israel, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, South America and South
Africa.
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