Cults Worldwide
Complied by P. Phillips/Lady Shiva-Vixen 1999
References
The Oxford Dictionary
The American College Dictionary
Webster's Dictionary
If you disagree with the proper definitions of these religions, take it up with the companies that spend all their time compiling this information. I did not make up these facts and if you find that your religion is closer to one, or several, of the others than you thought it is most likely because humans are rarely as individual as they would like to believe. Modern society must learn to accept that there is no wrong way to talk to god. Playing "my god is bigger than your god" only creates animosity and unrest.
Lady Shiva-Vixen
Cult
A religious worship especially as expressed through ceremonies; the study or pursuit of (often of something elevated into factitious importance)
Babism
The doctrines of a Persian religious sect founded in 1844, which sought to reconcile the teachings of Islam, Judaism and Christianity.
Bahaism
Originating in Persia in 1863, developing from Babism. Founder was Baha'ullah who, after periods of persecution, settled near Mt. Carmel in Palestine. It stresses the unity of mankind and of all divine revelation, which is progressive and relative.
Brahmanism
Originated in 550 BC and regarded as the orthodox Hindu religion because of its continuity with the Vedic tradition of the Brahmanas and the Upanishads. The Brahmanas are a collection of sacred Sanskrit texts ( 10th - 7th BC ) representing explanatory commentaries on the relation of sacrificial and other ceremonial rites to the Vedas*
* Vedas: any of the four books of the ancient Hindu scripture.
Buddhism
A religious and philosophical system arising from the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BC) who in the 6th century rejected certain features of his naive Hinduism, particularly the caste system, animal sacrifice and undue ascetism. The basic tenets involve the Four Truths: (1) that sorrow is the universal experience of mankind. (2) that the cause of sorrow is desire and the cycle of rebirth is perpetuated by the desire for existence (3) that the removal of sorrow can only come from the removal of desire and (4) that desire can be systematically removed by following the Noble Eightfold Path. The completion of the removal of desire and it's correlating sorrow will result in reaching Nirvana ( a pure being ) Buddhism has developed into two predominate and frequently conflicting sects. Theravada has laid stress on monastic disciplines and has resisted any attempts to compromise with theism in any form. Within Mahayana the idea of Gautama as an incarnation of "the Buddha spirit" has grown up. Closely linked with this is the concept of the Bodhisattva, the one who has attained enlightenment but has set aside his enjoyment of Nirvana in order to help others make the journey that s/he has already completed. According to some, Zen is a fusion of Buddhism with Taoism. It shares with the latter a profound distrust of the human intellect and points its adherents to an enlightenment (satori) which only comes when the subconscious is set free to resolve the false dualities of existence which cannot be resolved by rational means.
Christianity
In Alphabetical Order
Anglican
The Church of England or the Anglican Communion: A fellowship of Churches in communion with the see of Canterbury. Bound by mutual loyalty as opposed to a central leadership. Their conference takes place at Lambeth every decade.
Anglo-Catholicism
The belief that the members of the Anglican Communion who hold that the Reformation did not involve a change in Doctrine or church government in the Chruch of England. That the Anglican episcopate is in direct descent from the Apostles, and that its faith is the faith accepted by all Catholics as revealed truth. It derives from the Oxford movement.
Baptist
A member of a worldwide Christian Protestant denomination dating from 17th century. Practice baptism by immersion and hold that the person must be old enought to understand its purpose.
Catholic
The original Christian Church before the schism between East and West. Of the Roman or Western Church after this schism and before the Reformation pertaining to the whole Christian Church ( See Roman Catholic)
Congretionalism
the Doctrine of a Protestant evangelical and trinitarian Chruch based on the form of governemnt ( committee of the College of Cardinals ) which began in England in the early 17th century
Evangelical
School of theology within the Protestant that teaches that men are saved or justified by faith. Denies that good deeds and sacrements are, in themselves, sufficient for salvation. Avoids ritual and recognises no authority save the bible itself.
Evangelical Church
name given to the United Lutheran and Reformed Chruch in Germany
Jehovah Witness
Sect founded in 1872 by Charles T. Russell. Literal interpretation of the bible and stresses the imminent coming of a terrestrial kingdom. Only 144 000 get to go to "heaven" which is more accurately defined as being the government of those who are good enough to be given a new life on earth. Those who fail in their practises, or are not J.W., remain dead when the kingdom is realized. Not a denomination because of their own internal conflicts when one of Russell's emmisarries went to England and claimed leadership of the whole sect.
Knights Templar
Order of the Poor Knights of Christ, a military and religios order founded in 1118 for the protection of pilgrims to the Holy Land. Order was suppressed in 1312 by Pope Clement V at the instigation of King Phillipe IV of France.
Lutheran
Foundd by the German leader of the Reformation, Martin Luther (1483-1546) who attacked Tetzel's sale of Indulgences. Luther was accused of Heresy and refused to recant. He was excommunicated in 1521. Luther did a German translation of the bible in 1521-1522. Sanctioned Augsburg Confession in 1530. The Church is of Protestant denomination formed between 1517-1580. Origins in the church of Saxony set up in 1526. Disputed with Calvanists *. Defined by Augsburg Confession and two catechisms by Luther (1529) and the "Book of Concord" (1580). Consolidated by Melanchthon**. The 18th century weakened Orthodoxy by reaction of Pietism, then by rationalism and liberalism. 1817 Prussian State forcibly united Litherans and Reformed Church. Revivial in the 20th century. In 1946 the two churches united to form Evangelical Church in Germany.
* Jean Cavin Calvan (1509-1564) Believed duty of State to aid Church and the Bible above tradition. Sacrements are ok but not essential.
** Philipp Schwarzerd Melanchthin (1497-1560) German humanistand thoelogical Reformer. He became the greatest champion and systemizer of the doctrines of Luther. His "Loci communes" (1521) was the first ordered presentation of Reformation doctrine. He was mainly responsible for the Augsburg Confession (1530). He foundd public schools and reorganized the university systems in Germany.
Methodism
tenets and organization of several Protestant sects which sprang from the revival within the Church of England lef by John and Charles Wesley from 1729. Theologically, Methodism is Arminian in sympathy. Its organization depends on lay preachers, on the weekly meetins and on the annual conference which is its supreme authority.It spread rapidly after 1739 in England and North America and was formally separated from the Church of England in 1791.
Mormons (aka Chruch of the Latter Day Saints)
Founded in 1830 in New York State by Joseph Smith. His authority rested on the revelation to him of "The Book of Mormon", an alleged preColumbian work giving the history of American peoples of Hebrew origin from the Diaspora to 600 AD. After Smith's death, Brigham Young became leader and transferred the movement to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1847. Here a prosperous community developed. When the practice of polygamy was stopped, Utah was incorporated (1896) into the Union as the 45th state. Mormons believe that the Book of Mormon is of equal inspiration with the Bible.
Presbyterian
Polity was first established in Geneva by Calvin who held that Churches governed by elders and ministers conformed with New Testament practice. Adopted by Knox ( Church of Scotland ) and Huguenots and is now found throughout the world. Most Presbyterian churches also adhere to the Calvinist doctrines.
Protestant
Member of Christain body which separated rom the Roman Catholic Church at the Reformation, or of any later offshoot of such a body especially Anglican, Baptist, Congretionalist, Evangelical, Lutheran, Methodist, Reformed and Prebyterian Churches
Protestant Episcopal
Anglican. Separated from the Church of England in 1789 but still linked through the Lambeth Conference
Roman Catholic
That part of the Catholic Church that accepts the Pope in distinction to the Orthodox Eastern Church which separated in 1054. Distinctive tenets are the authority of the ecclesiastical tradition, transubstantiation; the seven sacrements; papal infallibility; purgatory; the Immaculate Conception (1854) and the Assumptionof the Virgin Mary (1950).
Theology based on natural and Divine law as established by Thomas Aquinas
Satanism
Belief that arose as a result of puritan piousness when almost everything that was enjoyable was considered a sin. Rituals were originally based on a mockery of the Christian rites in the idea that the "God of Love" was making life unbearable so perhaps worhip of the counterpart would result in a better, more enjoyable existence. Most modern Satanists are following the works of Anton LeVey who was not a true Satanist but one who believed in the power of self and took an ecclectic approach to his writing. LeVey used terms that encompassed both modern wicca and athiesm.
Spiritualism
Doctarine that the spirit can and does exist independently of the body and can be communicated with through and by a medium.
United Church
Protestant founded 1925 by the union of Methodist, Congretionalist and Presbyterian churches.
Unitarian
Protestant believing in the unity of God as opposed to the trinity. Developed in Poland and Transylvania in late 1600. In England and North America in 17-18 th century. Has come to be undogmatic advocating tolerance and stressing reason as a guide to belief.
Universalist Church
Liberal Protestand founded late 18th century in U.S.A. under the leadership of Hosea Ballou. Basic tenet posits that the love and goodness of God assure triumph over evil. In 1961 it merged with the American Unitarian Association.
Confucianism
Founded by Confucious (551-479BC) at the end of 6th BC. His original sayings ( Analects ) were edited with commentaries by Mencius in 4th c. BC. HIs philosophy wsa further developed by Chu Hsi in the 12th century and by Wang Yang-ming in the 16th century. It is a system of ethical precepts - benevolent love, rightgeousness, decorum, wise leadership and sincerity - designed to inspire and preserve the good management of family and society. A theological dimension was introduced in the 2nd century BC when Tung Chung-shu related the five virtues to a cosmic order governed by Shang-Ti (ruler of heaven) to whom the emperor was responsible. It became the official docrtine of China under the Han dynasty ( 2nd c. BC - 2nd C. AD ).Ritual sacrifices in the appointeed shrines characterized Confuciansim from 1st c. BC until the People's Republic in 1949. Eclipsed by Taoism and Buddhism for several centuries, Confucianism reivived and was made the state religion under the Tang dynasty ( 618 - 906 AD )
Hinduism
An amalgamation of traditions and rituals of devotional and philosophical systems built up over the past 4500 years. Arising from indigenous (Dravidian or Indus Valley) cults and successive invasions, notable among which was that by the Aryans ( c. 2000-1500 BC ). The earliest recorded scriptures are the Vedas (500 BC), polytheistic hymns and the Brahmanas ( 8th c. BC ). Of the philosophical systems, by tradition six in number, the most important is Vedanta, found in the Upanishads ( c. 500 BC ) and the later commentaries of Sankara, Ramanuju and others. Basis of Vedanist teaching is that ultimate reality is one and that the variety of apprehensions which come to us through the senses in an illusion. Man must rid himself of his illusions and ignorance if he is to become aware of, and partake of, reality (brahma). Embraces karma and reincaration.
Islam (aka Moslem or Muslim)
A religious and social system based on the teachings of mohammed, preserved in the Koran and the Sunna. Mohammed was convinced of the falsity of Arab idolatry. This had been centred on Mecca, and particularly in the worship of gods represented by sacred stones in theKaaba. Mohammed stressed four points: (1) the sole soveriegnty of Allah; (2) the sinfulness of idolarty; (3) the certainty of ressurection with the rewards of heaven and the punishments of hell; (4) his own divine vocation as a prophet of these new revelations.
These precepts were rejected by Meccans, Jews and Christians alike. As a result, Mohammed accused the Jews of misrepresenting the Old Testament, of turning the universalist religion of Abraham into an exclusive nationalist system and of rejecting the "virgin-born" prophet, Jesus, who had been sent by Allah to show the Jews where they had gone wrong. He accused the Christians of a revision of monotheism (referring to the Trinity ), of blasphemy against Allah by saying his prophet had been defeated in the humiliation of crucifiction and of idolatry ( icon worship of the cross, etc. ). Mohammed found enough support to coerce the Meccans into accepting his leadership over the whole area.
Jainism
Originated in 6th c. BC, like Buddhism, in reaction to Hinduism. Major prophet and founder was Vardhamana, also called Mahavira and Jina, saif to have lived in 6th c BC. Jains believe strongly in ahimsa or non-violence, to any living, and therefore eternal, creature. All believers strive to attain Nirvana. A monk may attain this goal through twelve years of asceticism. A layman must pass through nine transmigrations detwermined by Karma. Their diety is a collections of equal souls who have reached perfection. Jain temples are one of the glories of India.
Judaism
Belief in one, universal god as creator. Interprets history as god's covenanted choice of the Jews to be the vehicle of his revelation and ultimate rule. The basis of this revelation was made on Mount Sinai when the ten commandments were delivered to Moses, in the contect of the teaching of the Pentateuch. Looks for a messianic age when god's rule will be made actual. It assumed its modern form after the return of the Jews from the Babylonian Captivity (586-538 BC). After the destruction of the Temple (70 AD) religious life became centered on the synagogue and the home. The priesthood was replaced by the rabbi. Judaism has been sustained by the hopes that the Jews would be returned to the Promised Land of Canaan and that a messiah would arise to rule Israel and the world. Divided into orthodox, conservative and reformed groups.
Sikhism
Founded in 16c by Nanak, a Punjabi Hindu, strongly influenced by Islam. Their sacred book, the Granth Sahib, was compiled by Gobind Singh (1675-1708 AD). Sikhs owe their monotheism to Islam but retained the Hindu beliefs of reincarnation and karma.
Tantra
Any of several Hindu religions writings (8-13c) of a kind which oppossed the religious and social sanctions of Brahmanism. Arose in North India, with the teaching of the Hindu Tantras and traditional mystic beliefs.
Taoism
A Chinese religion founded in 6th c. BC by Lao-tzu. Classic Taoism is based on the concept of Tao, the universal force harmonizing nature. To achieve harmony, man should identify himself with the basic spirit of nature by contemplation. This philosophy was influenced by Buddhism and Confucianism and evolved into a pantheistic religion of hero worship, magickal and mystical rites with monastic orders.
Voodoo
An Animist religion. Originally African, it is still practiced by some Creoles, Afro-West Indians in the West Indies ( most notably in Haiti ) and in the southern U.S.A. Religious worship includes the loas ( spirits that will speak through the priestess ) and medicinal treatment through spiritual and herbal healing.
Wicca ( aka: Wiccae, Wita )
An evolved religion that allows that all living things are spiritual. Primary figures are the god and goddess, which in different countries have different names ( often variations of the same name due to dialect ) but realizes that there is a universal force behind the god and goddess which is not classifiable. Names are given to the gods to make them more recognisable to humans and therefore easier to relate to/talk to. Rites are either of a practical nature, healing through spiritual or herbal methods or they are plays at the Sabbats to show the cycle of nature and how wo/man must be in tune with nature to live with it. Frequently confused with Satanism as a result of the surge of Christianity when anything that was "not-Christian" was immediately classified as against Christianity. The Horned God of the Hunt was an image which lent itself easily to the misconception/confusion between Satanism and Wicca once it had been decided that the "Devil" had horns.
Zen
School of Mahayana Buddhism traditionally founded in China ( 6th c ) by Bodhidharma and widespread in Japan since the 12th century. It teaches that enlightenment may be achieved by meditation and intuition, stimulated by the contemplation of beauty and simplicity.
Zoroaster
( c 660 - 583 BC) A prophet of Persia. After seeing heavenly visions, he converted the king and court of Bactria to his faith. His sayings are collected in the Avesta. Instituted the caste of magus and founded a religion based on the belief that good and evil are absolutes. They are represented by the gods Ormazd and Ahriman, who are engaged in perpetual war. The followers of Ormazd are to strive for purity of thought, word and deed beased ona strict code of ethics. Man can attain perfection by making the choice of good. Influential in the Near East until the rise of Islam. (7th c )
References
The Oxford Dictionary
The American College Dictionary
Webster's Dictionary