454#1

ALTERNATIVE RELIGION PROCESS

1. Prophet

2. Promise

3. Plan

4. Possibility

5. Place

…all "5 Ps" are needed for the creation of a NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT

Cultural Characteristics of American Religion

Notice how the following eight characteristics of American religion created a "fertile field" for the growth of alternative religions.
They also inform or empower other cultural expressions in America; politics, popular movies, literature, art, video, etc.

Cultural Characteristics of American Religion

1. Primordialism = a desire to return to the simplicity of older, better times.

2. Perfectionism = a belief that humans can attain social/spiritual perfection in this life, time, or place.

3. Millennialism = a belief that the old, corrupt age will be dramatically replaced by new, more perfect age.

Cultural Characteristics of American Religion

4. Universalism = a belief that all people will ultimately be saved or attain spiritual perfection.

5. Illuminism = a belief that a new light or new spiritual knowledge is descending on human beings.

6. Messianic Hope = a belief that a messiah or savior figure is destined to bless America with her/his Presence.

Cultural Characteristics of American Religion

7. Pilgrim-ism = the spiritual "itch," to cross inner or outer boundaries in the quest to explore new spiritual territory.

8. Evangelism/Proselytism = the deeply felt need to persuade another person to accept ones religious or political views.

Spiritualism and Channeling

1. Spiritualism - 2 primary influences, late 1600s - early 1700s

Emanuel Swedenborg - provides the metaphysical basis = wrote extensively on psychic revelations from angelic beings.

Anton Mesmer - discovers "animal magnetism" = the latent human ability to manipulate life and energy (wicca???)

Spiritualism and Channeling

Founders of the movement in America:

Andrew Jackson Davis - the "first spiritualist" = writes The Principles of Nature (1847).

The Fox sisters - March 31, 1848, the Fox sisters hold a series of seances in Hydesville, NY; mysterious "rapping" sounds are interpreted; the dead contact the living with useful information = mediumship.

Mediumistic Activity

Movement of furniture or other material objects

interpretation of mysterious noises

trance speaking

automatic writing

clairvoyance/clairaudience

manifestations of visual phenomena

contact with the dead

History of Spiritualism in America

1893 - National Spiritualist Association of Churches (NSAS) formed in Chicago

Challenges to Christian Roots:

entire scriptures dictated by spirit beings have a more universal focus:

Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ

Urantia Book

Oahspe Bible

CHANNELING: a more modern form of Spiritualism

Characteristics of Channeling:

rejection of traditional Christianity

belief in reincarnation

contact with spiritually evolved beings who have migrated to higher levels of existence

the soul evolves through ever-higher levels of consciousness

Ramtha School of Enlightenment

JZ Knight channels a 35,000 year old Ascended Master named RAMTHA

a classic numinous experience

an example of New Age Spirituality

seeker style religion

spiritual seekers finding a new and different set of answers to profound life questions

SOULLESSNESS

…a pervasive affliction in modern life; a catalyst for the development of alternative spiritual movements…

SYMPTOMS OF SOULLESNESS

1. A feeling of inner-emptiness and the meaninglessness of life

2. Vague depression

Symptoms of Soullesness

3. Disillusionment about occupation, family, religion, marriage, relationships;

anxiety or boredom = emotional state.

4. Confusion over moral and ethical values; "What is right behavior?"

5. Anger, aggression, abuse, oppression

6. Compulsive/addictive behavior

7. Hunger for spirituality - "seeker style"

PHENOMENON

…tracking the "alternative spirituality" roots of a popular movie:

combines mediumship, channeling, UFO-related groups, and parapsychological phenomena.

Try to identify any or all of our "cultural characteristics of American religion."

What are the causes of fear in the movie? How would you explain it?