New Religious Movements


	Academic term used to describe a number of different "modern" movements. Exactly what constitutes an NRM is a matter of scholarly debate - i.e. how "New" does it have to be, what constitutes a "Religion" and what defines a "Movement." Typologically, for the purposes of this web site, they can be divided into three broad categories: those derived from Christianity (e.g. Christian Science, New Thought); those which have derived from Eastern Religions (e.g. Hare Krishna, Osho); and those which constitue the "New Age" and "Neo-Pagan" category. There is considerable overlap between all of these categories, making any definite assertions difficult: Theosophy, for example, can be held to have influences from both Eastern and Western sources, and is also an important cornerstone of the New Age Movement. New Religious Movements: A Practical Introduction (Barker, E. 1989. London: HMSO) is a text which addresses many of the problems in categorizing NRMs, and is recommended as a starting point for those wishing to investigate modern religious groups.

	New Religious Movements and Alternative Spirituality Good resource for beginning an investigation into some of the more controversial NRMs. Cults and Religion Academic site exploring issues around New Religious Movements The Facts on Cults, Sects and NRMs Page from About.com which explores typological issues and gives details on the anti-cult movement. Links to many aspects of alternative spirituality. The Religious Movements Homepage From the University of Virginia. Valuable academic resource addressing most of the issues in this contentious area. This site provides information on hundreds of religious movements, new and old, through an organized profiling of each movement, including extensive referencing of the compiled information. New Religious Movements Links Berkely University's resource on NRMs. A large list of links organized by NRM "Family" type. Center for Studies on New Religions CESNUR homepage with many useful academic articles and links. Christian Derived NRMs Christian Science Reading Room First Church of Christ Website. Features a list of links to related sites. Unification Movement Official site of the Unification Church, aka the Moonies. The Family Official website of The Family or The Children of God PK Online The official site of the Promise Keepers Vineyard / Toronto Blessing Pro and Con Links to sites about the Toronto Blessing phenomenon, including critiques from a more conservative theological perspective. Affiliated New Thought Network An official site with a good list of links to New Thought groups and institurions worldwide. Eastern Derived NRMs ISKCON Homepage The main site for ISKCON, or "Hare Krishna." The Osho Experience The official Osho (Previously Bhagwan) Rajneesh site. Bhagwan Shri Sathya Sai Baba The official site of this popular modern Indian guru. Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization The main Brahma Kumaris website. Vedanta Society of Southern California The best of the numerous Ramakrishna and Vivekananda-inspired sites, with links to many other Vedanta pages as well as othe religions. Maharishi University of Management Official website of the Maharishi International University, inspired by the Transcendental Meditation technique of Maharishi Mahaesh Yogi. Paganism and New Age Sacred Texts: Wicca and Neo-Paganism Useful collection of historical works drawn upon by Neo-Pagans Theosophical Society in America Official website of the Theosophical Society Pagan Educational Network "Dedicated to informing the public about Paganism." Large list of links to Pagan groups. The Irminsul Aettir One of the better Asatru pages, with links to other Norse Pagan sites and other Pagan groups generally. The WICA Information Centre and Archive Addresses many current issues in witchcraft. Claims to be an "unbiased platform." The pop-up windows are a nuisance. New Age Web Works Claims to be the largest resource on the net for all aspects of Paganism and New Age.