ABSTRACT

Philosophy of religion is focused chiefly on theism. Yet there are a growing number of new and alternative religious movements that would also benefit from philosophical scrutiny. This book is the first collection of philosophical essays, by a team of international authors, focusing on new and alternative religious movements. The book begins with an examination of the definition of new religious movements, before offering an introduction to, and an analysis of, core beliefs held by particular movements, including: Scientology, Raelianism, Siddha Yoga, the Arica School, the Church of the Latter Day Saints (Mormonism), Pantheism, Digital Theology, New Atheism, and the Word of Faith movement. Contributors offer an analysis of one or more of the core tenets of the religious movement, providing readers with both an insight into the group, and the methodology of philosophy of religion.

chapter |10 pages

Philosophy and New and Alternative Religious Movements

Should They Be Introduced?

chapter |20 pages

New Religious Movements

How Should New Religious Movements Be Defined?

chapter |14 pages

Religious Naturalism

Does Religion Require the Supernatural?

chapter |16 pages

New Atheism

Is New Atheism a New Religious Movement?

chapter |16 pages

The Word of Faith Movement

Are We All Little Gods?

chapter |20 pages

A Guru-Disciple Tradition

Can Religious Conversion be Non-cognitive?

chapter |14 pages

Scientology

What Is the Relationship between the Supreme Being, Thetans and the Cosmos?

chapter |13 pages

Raelianism

What Is the ‘Central' Raelian Argument for the Non-existence of God?

chapter |8 pages

Mormonism

Is the Mormon Concept of God Problematic?

chapter |20 pages

Digital Theology

Is the Resurrection Virtual?

chapter |22 pages

The Arica School

Towards a Logic of Unity?