SUMMARY DESCRIPTIONS OF RELIGIONS AND SECTS prepared by Daniel Keeran, Victoria, BC
SUMMARY DESCRIPTIONS OF RELIGIONS AND SECTS Prepared by Daniel Keeran, Victoria, BC Christianity – scriptures: the New Testament, from the day of Pentecost about 33 A.D. Jesus is the son of God who became a man, died for our sins and rose again. Jesus is coming again to judge all who have died and those who are living at that time. Christian communities are organized either including the idea of a hierarchical succession of valid church leaders or independently or through denominational groups. Islam – scriptures: Quran (Koran) and Hadith, usually dated from Mohammed’s flight to Mecca in 617 A.D. Believed begun as a revelation of the Quran from the angel Gabriel to Mohammed in the early 7th century, they teach that Jesus is not the son of God and he did not died for our sins and rise again. Concerning wives: “And those you fear may become disobedient; set them in beds apart and beat them. If they then obey you, look not for any way against them; God is All-high, All-great” (Quran: chapter 4:34). Judaism – scriptures: the Hebrew scriptures written from about 1200 B.C. to about 500 B.C. Everyone who does acts of service is approved by God. There is no heaven and hell. A faithful Jew must keep 600+ laws given by Moses. Catholicism – scriptures: Hebrew writings, plus apocrypha, plus the Catechism including decisions of certain councils, gradual development from 85 A.D. to the present day. Truth in faith and morals is known only through the teachings and traditions of the Catholic church passed down through a succession of authorities, centralized in the bishop of Rome, believed to begin with the apostles of Christ. All human beings are conceived in a state of sin, believed to be removed for infants in a ritual of pouring water out three times on the head while invoking the Trinity. Eastern Orthodox – scriptures: New Testament and church writers of earlier centuries Organized as independent national churches: Russian, Greek, Bulgarian, etc., clergy are not celibate, worship includes veneration of icons or pictures of Mary and other saints, chanting of sacred texts, incense, and eucharist celebration. Infants receive immersion baptism dipping three times as well as the eucharist with leavened bread dipped in wine.
Buddhism – scriptures: Tripitaka 1. The founder left his wife and child to pursue spiritual enlightenment in the 3rd century B.C. 2. Detachment, whether from material things or personal relationships, is the key to solving one's personal suffering. 3. People born into poverty or abuse deserve their circumstances due to bad karma resulting from hurtful behaviour commited in a previous life of reincarnation. If anyone hurts you, you deserve it. 4. A personal external God does not exist. God is inside each person, or each person is God. Buddhism often describe themselves as atheists. 5. Compassion is a high value. Sikhism – scriptures: Gurū Granth Sāhib Combines Islamic monotheism and Hindu reincarnation, Sikhism began in the 15th century in India; a high social service value. Hinduism – scriptures: Bhagavad Gita and Vedas Polytheistic (20,000+ gods), a social and spiritual caste system based on the belief that People born into poverty or abuse deserve their circumstances due to bad karma resulting from hurtful behaviour in a previous life of reincarnation. If anyone hurts you, you deserve it (see Buddhism that emerged from Hinduism in the 4th century BC). Protestant evangelical: Calvinism/Lutheranism – scriptures: New Testament God chooses who will be saved and lost eternally. Most Presbyterian denominations pour or sprinkle water on infants for baptism and reject the inspiration of scriptures. All human beings are conceived in a state of sin. Modern Lutherans do not believe in predestination. Missouri synod Lutherans accept the scriptures as inspired by God. Seventh Day Adventism – scriptures: New Testament and writings of Ellen G. White such as Steps To Christ One must keep the seventh day of the week as a day of rest and worship. Emphasis on the second coming, vegetarianism, medical service. Ellen G. White seen as a prophet. Pentecostal/Baptist – scriptures: New Testament One is saved by a prayer or a spiritual experience from God. Some time after reporting this account, a person is immersed in water as a symbolic ritual act, not required for salvation. Pentecostals believe the Holy Spirit manifests in supernatural ways today such as being “slain in the Spirit” and speaking in “tongues.” Assemblies of God is known for teaching that God will give material success to members, especially if they donate “seed money.” Some Baptists hold the idea of eternal security. All human beings are conceived in a state of sin.
Churches of Christ – scriptures: New Testament, beginning about 33 A.D. One is saved by being immersed into Christ and his death following a conscious declared decision to follow Jesus as the Son of God (see www.box.com/lovegod ). One must live faithfully until death which means to keep the teachings of Jesus and his apostles and prophets. A final judgment will come to all humanity following a resurrection of all who have died. Churches are organized only locally without a central office. Humans possess the ability to freely choose right and wrong. God does not decide who will be saved. Human beings are conceived in a state of sinlessness. Mormon – scriptures: Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price, produced by Joseph Smith in 1830. Based mostly in Salt Lake City, Utah, they teach man can become God with a universe or galaxy to rule. Jesus Christ is believed to have a beginning in time as the offspring of the Father and his consort. “Christ’s was the first spirit organized by the Father.” Jesus had a heavenly Mother or Mother in heaven. Procreation, even including polygamous unions, contributes to one’s eternal reward. Christian Science/Church of Christ (scientist) – scriptures: Science and Health with a Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, 1875 The material universe and physical illness are illusions, and illness is caused by thinking of the universe as reality rather than an illusion. A newspaper published by the denomination is the Christian Science Monitor and thousands of reading rooms encourage reading the works of Eddy. Methodist – scriptures: New Testament Founded by John Wesley leading a revival in the church of England in 1783. Practice pouring or sprinkling water on infants to remove original sin as a ritual act called baptism, as do other churches claiming apostolic succession as well as Presbyterians. Methodist churches are in a process of secularization, accepting homosexual relationships and cohabitation. Jehovah’s Witness – scriptures: New World Bible Translation and Emphatic Diaglott Founded by Charles Taze Russell about 1870, main teaching authority in the Watchtower Publishing Board. They teach Jesus is not divine but the first of God’s creation who then created the universe. Thousands of “Kingdom Halls” are located in many cities. A discreet slave class is the 144,000 (mostly deceased) who will be saved in heaven, leaving the remainder of humanity on a glorified earth. United Church of Canada – scriptures: New Testament Formed from a union of Presbyterians and Methodists in the late 1920’s, infant pouring or sprinkling is practiced. Secularization can be seen in the acceptance of homosexuality and the rejection of the divine inspiration of scripture.
Anglican – scriptures: New Testament Formed by the separation of the church of England from the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century, infant sin is believed removed by a ritual act of pouring or sprinkling water on the infant’s head while invoking the name of the Trinity. The idea of apostolic succession is valued as supporting valid church leadership or ministry. Canadian churches are mostly accepting homosexuality while third world Anglicans continue to oppose it. High church Anglicans venerate Mary, pray to saints, and believe in transubstantiation in the Eucharist. Scientology – scriptures: Dianetics and other writings by L. Ron Hubbard. Founded by Ron L. Hubbard in 1954, this group offers personality testing and provides a process of personal transformation based on the Hubbard book Dianetics. Hubbard believed aliens have already taken over the earth, and humans are the aliens. Several Hollywood stars have been attracted to the group, also accused of cult practices. Eckankar – no scriptures but rather personal experience such as “soul travel” This is a Western form of Hinduism, emphasizing meditation, begun by Paul Twitchell in 1965. SBNR – scriptures: none although many also accept ideas from Wiccan, Pagan, and Buddhism and Hinduism Spiritual But Not Religious are individuals who do not belong to an organized religious group but who regard themselves as holding certain beliefs and values that may be rooted in some idea of the supernatural. Wiccan (Pagan) – scriptures: unknown Begun by Gerald Gardner in 1954, Wiccans/Pagans are devotees of the natural material universe, the earth which is viewed as a female goddess deity sometimes known as Gaia. Members may describe themselves as witches or warlocks who call upon spiritual beings or the use if incantations to influence people or situations. Atheist/Agnostic – This individual may combine humanist or Buddhist ideas with the atheist non-belief in an external personal deity. The agnostic expresses doubt or disbelief in an external personal deity. Recent popular advocates of atheist ideas are Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. Humanist – scriptures: Humanist Manifesto Advocated in 1929 by the leader of western education John Dewey, this philosophy is taught in public schools and institutions and is the foundation of modern secularism. The Humanist Manifesto expresses major beliefs. While human value is held high, nonbelief in an external personal deity is also extolled. Liberal sexual values are supported such as homosexuality and abortion.
Mennonite – scriptures: New Testament This group, begun by Menno Simmons in 1527, practices pouring of water three times on the head of adult converts while invoking the Trinity. The group teaches values of non-violence and social justice for the poor and marginalized. Hutterite – scriptures: New Testament This group is communal in life style, began in the 16th century by Jakob Hutter, and teaches non-violence as well as elements basic to Christianity such as the deity of Christ, his atoning death, and resurrection. Alliance – scriptures: New Testament Begun in 1887 by Albert B. Simpson, this group is organized as a conservative denomination with headquarters and has elements basic to Christianity such as the deity of Christ, his atoning death, and resurrection. Messianic – scriptures: Old and New Testament This is a recently emerging group identifying themselves as Jewish, sometimes with members adopting Jewish names. Jesus is accepted as the Messiah, and Jewish language and Festivals are also observed. Christadelphians – scriptures: New Testament Originating in England in mid 1800’s by John Thomas, the group teaches that hell does not exist, and Jesus is not divine. The Eucharist is observed each Lord’s Day, and pacifism is believed. Immersion for the forgiveness of sins is also believed but not with a Trinitarian understanding. Plymouth Brethren (Christian Brethren) – scriptures: New Testament Begun in about 1831 in Ireland by George Wigram, this group has communion each Sunday in “closed” and “open” churches with no formal clergy. They were known as Darbyites after John Darby, a prominent leader. They reject the term denomination to describe their groups. Many adherents believe in eternal security.