New religious movement facts for kids

A new religious movement is a term for certain religious groups that are usually smaller and newer compared to big, well-known religions like Christianity or Islam. These movements often don't have a long history, and many of their members have joined from other religions.

Here are some common things you might notice about new religious movements:

• Most people in the movement have chosen to join, rather than being born into it.
• Members often share similar social backgrounds or interests.
• There is usually a strong, inspiring leader who guides the group.
• It's often very clear who is part of the movement and who isn't.
• The way the group is set up or organized might change over time.

Sometimes, people use words like "sect" or "cult" for these movements. However, these words can have a negative meaning and are often not the best way to describe them. Some examples of movements that have been called "cults" include Scientology, Transcendental Meditation, the Unification Church, and Wicca.

Images for kids

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  A New Age Rainbow Gathering in Bosnia, 2007

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  A member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness sharing their beliefs in Moscow, Russia

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  Swami Vivekananda at the 1893 Parliament of the World's Religions

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  People practicing Falun Gong spiritual exercises in Guangzhou, China.

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  A Rastafari man wearing symbols of his religious identity in Barbados

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  Mary Baker Eddy, who founded Christian Science

See also

In Spanish: Nuevos movimientos religiosos para niños