RELG 402 - World's Living Religions
Module 5 - New Religious Movements related to Christianity
Module Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to :
- Identify the people and main events associated with New Religious Movements related to Christianity.
- Discuss the literature associated with New Religious Movements related to Christianity.
- Describe the teachings and ethical standards of New Religious Movements related to Christianity.
- Describe the world-view associated with New Religious Movements related to Christianity.
- Describe the varieties of worship associated with New Religious Movements related to Christianity.
Readings
- Textbook, chapter 14 (partial); pages 575-585 and 604-605 1 and 561-562; 3rd edition - pages 538-554 and 570-575
- Notes on New Religious Movements (NRMs) derived from Christianity.
Trigger Alert - this page contains pictures of fire, funerals and dead bodies - Documents relating to various NRMs
- Go here for student essay on Latter Day Saints
Optional InterNet Resources
- Go here for Links to optional extra resources for this week.
- Useful articles can be found by using Search Engines such as GoodSearch
- Remember - always cite your sources
Study Questions
Before taking the Test, prepare an answer sheet for yourself by answering the following questions. Then you may use it, along with the textbook and the course notes, to answer the questions on the Test and to formulate a thread for the Discussion Board.
- What are three phenomena which have caused changes in religious thought and behavior, and how has each of them affected religion in the USA ?
- What three categories of New Religious Movements (NRMs) were proposed by Roy Wallis? Using the class notes for NRMs, give an example of each category.
- Where, when, and by whom was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints founded, who led them after the death of the founder, and where did he lead them?
- Which Books are regarded as authoritative for the Mormons?
- What do Mormons believe about God and about human existence (the "three stages of human life")?
- Where, when, and by whom was Christian Science organized, and what are the authoritative writings for Christian Scientists?
- What does Christian Science teach about reality, matter, the body, illness, and suffering?
- When, and by whom, was the Unity School of Christianity founded, and what does it teach?
- Where, when, and by whom was the Adventist Movement founded, and what did the founder announce about the Second Coming of Christ?
- Who else in the Adventist Church is regarded as having a special gift of prophecy, what did she teach, and what were some of the books she wrote?
- Which day of the week is the Sabbath for Seventh Day Adventists?
- What do today's Seventh Day Adventists teach about the Second Coming of Christ and the eventual destiny of the earth?
- Where, when, and by whom were the Jehovah's Witnesses founded, what do Jehovah's Witnesses believe about Jesus, and about God's purposes for the earth?
- When, where, and by whom was The Family (Children of God) established, and what was the founder's teaching regarding sexual behavior?
- When, where, and by whom was the Unification Church established, and how do his followers regard him and his (second) wife?
- How did the Unitarian Church develop, and what are the main teachings of the Unitarian-Universalist Church?
- When, where, and by whom were the Quakers founded, and how do Quakers view the authority of the Bible?
- What are some of the main ethical and social issues which Quakers uphold?
- What are some of the danger signals that might make one wary of joining an NRM, or that might indicate it was time to get out?
- Identify Prophet Jones, Daddy Grace, Father Divine, David Koresh, William Miller, Ellen White, Mary Baker Eddy, David Berg, Jim Jones
Prepare a set of answers for yourself, then use it to help you answer the Test and post your Thread to the Discussion Board
Discussion Board 5
Thread :
Choose an NRM derived from Christianity in which you have particular experience or interest, and try to give a fair appraisal as to why you are or are not a member of that NRM.
Bear in mind that some of your classmates may belong to that NRM or to an NRM such as the ones we are studying this week, and try to give a rational, rather than an emotional, account.
This exercise is intended to help you develop cross-cultural awareness and the ability to communicate effectively with members of other religions.
Replies to 2 of your classmates' Threads :
If possible, choose Threads which deal with different NRMs.
Do you have any particular insights and/or experiences which might be helpful to the poster or to your classmates as a whole?
Test 5
Go to the Test Section of the course, and take the test at least once before 12 noon of the Monday following the weekly assignment.
You will have 1 hour to complete the test.
You may take the test three times before the cut-off time.
Questions will vary each time you take the test.
Your highest score will count towards your course grade.
Copyright © 1999 Shirley J. Rollinson, all Rights Reserved
