Origins of New Religions

1. What are some of the forces prompting change in religions?
2. List the possible developmental relationships between new religious movements and established traditions.

"Cults," "Sects," and New Religious Movements

1. Why do new religious movements often generate suspicion and tension with larger and older religions?
2. Define "sect" and "cult" in both academic and popular meanings.
3. Why should some new religious movements be viewed with caution while others with tolerance?

Contemporary Paganism: Wicca and Druidism

1. What are some of the possible reasons that movements reclaiming ancient nature-based religions attract followers?
2. Discuss the various meanings of the word pagan.
3. Describe the essentials shared by the different strands of Wicca.
4. What is the general seasonal structure of Wiccan religious practice?
5. Explain the two core ethical principles of Wicca.
6. What are the arguments for and against Wicca being an ancient religion?
7. Who were the ancient Druids?
8. What features does the modern Druidic movement share with Wicca?

Religions of the Yoruba Tradition: Santería, Voodoo, and Candomblé

1. Discuss the roots of these three religions and why they are practiced in the Western Hemisphere.
2. Explain the difference between syncretism and Raul Canizares' term dissimulation.
3. Describe the similarities between Roman Catholicism and Yoruba religion that may have encouraged syncretism.
4. How is the Yoruba High God different from that of Roman Catholicism?
5. What are the parallels between the gods of the Greeks and Romans and the orishas of Yoruba religion?
6. Describe typical aspects of services in the Yoruba traditions.

Theosophy

1. Name the sources Madame Blavatsky used to form Theosophy.
2. Describe the view of reality generally shared by all Theosophists.
3. Explain the relationship J. Krishnamurti had with Theosophy.
4. List some of the offshoots of Theosophy and their special concerns.
5. Discuss the influence of Madame Blavatsky and Theosophy on other movements.

Humanism (Box Feature)
Discuss the roots of humanism and how members define themselves in their manifesto.

Scientology

1. Describe the various ways the goal of Scientology is stated.
2. Summarize the parallels between Scientology and Hinduism.
3. What does "The Bridge" describe?
4. Describe in general terms how one becomes "clear" through processing.

Falun Gong

1. What strands of traditional Chinese religious practice are utilized in Falun Gong?
2. What benefits do followers of Falun Gong seek?
3. Why might the Chinese government be attempting to suppress this movement?

Cao Dai

1. How did this religion begin?
2. Describe the three great phases of revelation called "Alliances."
3. What symbolism might one see in a Cao Dai church?
4. Describe the influences of Christianity, Buddhism, and Confucianism on Cao Dai.

Rastafarianism

1. What role did Jamaica's colonial past play in shaping this religion?
2. Describe Marcus Garvey's contributions to Rastafarianism.
3. Discuss the status of native Ethiopian king Ras Tafari for believers.
4. List the four shared beliefs held by the different branches of this religion.
5. What representative practices have developed in the Rastafarian movement?

Baha'i

1. Describe the features of Shiite Islam that are significant to the emergence of Baha'i.
2. Explain the Baha'i understanding of other religions.
3. What does Baha'i teach about the afterlife?
4. Summarize ways Baha'i would improve human life in this world.
5. Why do Baha'is advocate an auxiliary world language and a single world government?
6. List some of the religious practices or behaviors endorsed by the Baha'i religion.

New Religious Movements: A Special Role

1. List the four elements of many new religious movements that are attractive to people.