Human development through new religious movements

The impact of the major religions (Christianity, Islam) on local, tribal religions in primal societies has resulted in the development of new movements, and this has been accelerated by rapid change in previously traditional cultural and social behaviour. They arise in answer to a search for spiritual meaning and spiritual power, both eroded when traditional belief and practice as well as the new, imported religion fail to respond to the new cultural circumstances. Very often the basis is a mystical experience or revelation received by the movement's leader detailing new rituals and codes of morality together with the receiving of a gift of spiritual healing. Local spirits and divinities become subservient to one supreme and personal god, who may replace a traditional, remote single deity. Often the new religion transcends single tribal groupings to cover wider areas; examples are Godian and Aladura movements in Nigeria; although, on the contrary, some movements may be local and short-lived, as for cargo cults in Melanesia.

Despite a complete break with tradition, in which symbols of the old ways are destroyed and in which the leader may be young and female in a society previously dominated by male elders, many old beliefs are incorporated into the new movement; and worship may consist of a mix of old and new forms. Faithful observance of the new rituals and forms of worship - which, although sometimes permissive, more often include ascetic practices and disciplines more rigorous than those of the religions from which they are derived - promises the immediate benefit of mental and physical healing, revelations and protection from evil powers, together with future prosperity and possibly the coming of a new order with paradise here on earth. The supernatural help may be from God, Jesus or from ancestors, heroes or spirit beings. It results in the infusion of dignity, self-confidence and self-respect to people whose morale has been lowered by the effects of invasion or colonialism. Many new movements have been recognized by the Church as genuine, grass-roots Christianity.

In the reverse direction, emergent religions are also challenging "dominant" religious forms in North America, Europe and Japan, as are offshoots from the main religions themselves. In a search for a fuller, more spiritual, less disciplined (or in some cases, by contrast, more disciplined) religious way of life, people are looking to other traditions, past traditions which have been lost or gone underground, and to new sources for inspiration. Among these are transcendental meditation, such as propounded by the Maharishi, the occult and astrology, and para-scientific techniques. Many of these movements are grouped together in what is loosely termed "New Age". The attraction is a spiritual experience not generally available through orthodox, conventional religion, although the conventional religions have also had a "new religious movement" of their own, as in the charismatic movement which has traversed all Christian denominations.