Controversies and Misconceptions
Because alternative religions are, by definition, not mainstream, they are less well understood by the general populace. This frequently leads to misconceptions about these faiths. In addition, some alternative religions have (rightly or wrongly) become involved in fairly public controversies.
Why People are Suspicious of New Religious Movements
People are often suspicious of minority religions, in part because they are not familiar with them. New religious movements, this is, religions which have formed in the last 200 years or so, face particular scrutiny, both because they often look considerably different from traditional religions and also simply because they are new.
Can Christians Follow New Age Beliefs?
There is nothing inherently anti-Christian about New Age beliefs, although some Christians (primarily more conservative ones) object to various New Age beliefs. Indeed, most New Age beliefs do not belong to any one religion, and many New Agers are also Christian by religion.
What Religions Involve Animal Sacrifice?
A complete list of religions across the world that involve animal sacrifice would be impossible to compile, as it is still a part of a variety of indigenous practices. Here is a brief overview of some of the minority cultures found in the West that still perform animal sacrifices.
Are Voodoo Dolls Real?
Popular culture depicts the "Voodoo doll" as a poppet bearing the resemblance of an enemy. The target is cursed with misfortune, pain and even death via the thrusting of pins into the doll. Such items are not a part of traditional Vodou, although some Vodouisants, primarily in New Orleans, have now adopted them, often for sale to tourists.
Baha'i Persecution in Iran
The lines between politics and religion are often blurred in Iran. While its president is democratically elected, its supreme leader is a Muslim cleric. Islam is the official religion, with Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and Christianity officially recognized as minority religions.
The Baha'i Faith, however, has no such recognition even though it is the largest minority religion in Iran. …
Is Freemasonry a Religion?
The Freemasons are a fraternal order dating back at least four centuries and have likely roots in medieval mason guilds. Questions abound today as to what exactly Freemasons do, believe, and expect from members, thanks in part to hoaxes, gossip, misunderstanding and a distrust of anything that offers even the notion of secrecy.
Do Certain Religions Ban Tarot Reading? - Religious Objections to Divination
Some religious texts, including the Bible, ban divination as a whole. However, the exact interpretation of "divination" varies considerably among believers.
Why Do Some Religions Keep Secrets?
Secrecy is an inherent part of many religious traditions, and it sometimes causes others to be suspicious of them. Secrecy does not, however, necessarily mean that anything untoward is occurring. Rather, secrecy can be employed out of respect or as a protective measure.
The Necronomicon - Some Facts about A Fiction
A discussion of the Necronomicon, frequently believed to be a real occult book but in fact an invention of horror writer H.P. Lovecraft as part of his Cthulhu mythos.
Witchcraft
The term "witchcraft" has been used in two distinctly different contexts in history. The older definition was quite negative, while current definitions are often more neutral. This has led to substantial confusion.
Why is the Occult so Associated with Satanism?
For many people, the word occult is practically synonymous with Satanism. Not only is that a relatively recent phenomena, but it's not grounded in any fact. While Satanists do often participate in occult practices, they are a tiny fraction of occultists. Learn how this misleading connection developed.
Plastic Shamans
A growing interest in Native American culture and religion and has created a mentality described as plastic shamanism. Plastic shamans are considered frauds by Native Americans. Often, plastic shamans peddle their knowledge for money, and their knowledge is generally shallow or even incorrect.
Fact, Fallacy or Hoax?
Religions bring with them a wealth of different spiritual experiences. The more inexplicable they are, however, the more people distrust them, despite the fact that religion is generally unprovable in any sort of objective, scientific way.
Cult Suicides
The reality of mass suicide pacts within a small number of religious groups is the source of perhaps the greatest stigma facing new religions. The reality is terrifying, even though they are exceedingly rare. Why would any group think suicide to be the ultimate expression of faith?