Q: What are new religious movements? Elaborate emphasizing their forms and orientations.

Model Answer:

New Religious Movements (NRMs)

New Religious Movements (NRMs) can be defined as faith-based groups or communities that have emerged and established their own unique set of religious beliefs and practices. Typically, these movements are differentiated from the mainstream religions and have been formed relatively recently, in the past few centuries or decades. They often arise in response to societal changes, offering new interpretations of existing religious traditions or introducing entirely new doctrines.

Forms of New Religious Movements:

1. Sects: They are groups that have broken away from an established religion but continue to follow some of its teachings. Examples from India include the Swaminarayan sect and the Radhasoami Satsang, which originated from Hinduism but have their own unique set of beliefs and practices.

2. Cults: These are small, fringe groups that often revolve around a charismatic leader. Cults often have beliefs and practices that are considered unorthodox or controversial by mainstream society. In India, examples include the ‘Godman’ cults such as the Dera Sacha Sauda.

3. Alternative or Minority Religions: These are religions that are not part of the mainstream religious landscape of a society. They often incorporate elements from various religious traditions. An example in India is the Bahá’í Faith, which originated in Persia but has found followers in India.

4. Spiritual or New Age Movements: These movements often draw from a variety of religious traditions, philosophies, and psychological theories. They emphasize personal spiritual growth and self-realization. In India, the Art of Living Foundation and the Isha Foundation are examples of such movements.

Orientations of New Religious Movements:

1. World-affirming Movements: These movements generally accept the world as it is and seek to help individuals succeed within it. They often focus on self-improvement, prosperity, and personal fulfillment. In India, the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University promotes a form of spiritual self-improvement that is world-affirming.

2. World-rejecting Movements: These movements are often critical of the secular world and advocate for a radical transformation of society based on their religious beliefs. For example, the Naxalite movement in India, while primarily political, also has a strong world-rejecting religious component.

3. World-accommodating Movements: These movements focus on inner spirituality and individual transformation, without seeking to radically change or reject the secular world. Many of the guru-led movements in India, such as the Osho movement, can be seen as world-accommodating.

Conclusion:

New Religious Movements are a significant part of the contemporary religious landscape, reflecting the ongoing evolution and diversification of religious beliefs and practices. In India, these movements have contributed to the rich tapestry of religious life, offering new avenues for spiritual exploration and expression.