Types of new religious movement

New Religious Movements (NRMs) are religious or spiritual groups that have emerged since the mid-20th century. Here are some examples of different types of NRMs:

  1. Cults: Small, exclusive groups with a charismatic leader who demands absolute loyalty and obedience from members. Examples: Heaven's Gate, Peoples Temple.
  2. Spiritual Movements: Focus on personal spiritual growth, often incorporating elements of Eastern spirituality, meditation, and yoga. Examples: Transcendental Meditation, Sivananda Yoga.
  3. New Age Movements: Emphasize personal growth, self-awareness, and spiritual exploration, often incorporating elements of mysticism, astrology, and channeling. Examples: Theosophy, New Thought Movement.
  4. Gnostic Movements: Claim to possess secret knowledge (gnosis) about the nature of the universe and human salvation. Examples: Thelema, Gnostic Church of St. Mary Magdalene.
  5. UFO Religions: Believe in the existence of extraterrestrial life and often worship alien beings or deities. Examples: Raelism, Unarius.
  6. Pagan Movements: Revive or reconstruct ancient pagan religions, such as Wicca, Asatru, and Druidry.
  7. Syncretic Movements: Combine elements from multiple religious traditions, often creating a unique blend of beliefs and practices. Examples: Santeria, Vodou.
  8. Esoteric Movements: Focus on the study and practice of esoteric knowledge, such as alchemy, astrology, and the Kabbalah. Examples: Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Theosophical Society.
  9. Charismatic Movements: Emphasize the importance of personal experience, emotion, and spiritual gifts, often led by a charismatic leader. Examples: Pentecostalism, Charismatic Christianity.
  10. Ritualistic Movements: Focus on the performance of rituals, often involving elaborate ceremonies and symbolic practices. Examples: Wicca, Thelema.
  11. Mystical Movements: Emphasize the pursuit of spiritual knowledge and union with the divine, often through meditation, contemplation, and other spiritual practices. Examples: Sufism, Christian Mysticism.
  12. Eco-Spiritual Movements: Focus on the interconnectedness of humans and the natural world, often incorporating elements of environmentalism and conservation. Examples: Earth First!, The Gaia Hypothesis.
  13. Feminist Movements: Emphasize the importance of women's roles and experiences in religious and spiritual practices, often challenging traditional patriarchal structures. Examples: Goddess Worship, Feminist Judaism.
  14. LGBTQ+ Movements: Provide a sense of community and spiritual belonging for individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, often challenging traditional religious attitudes towards sexuality and gender. Examples: Metropolitan Community Church, Queer Spirit.
  15. Digital Religions: Emerged in the digital age, often using online platforms and social media to spread their message and connect with followers. Examples: Discordianism, Church of the SubGenius.

These categories are not exhaustive, and many NRMs blend elements from multiple categories. Additionally, some NRMs may not fit neatly into any of these categories, as they often evolve and adapt over time.