ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses circumstances in which new religious movements are particularly likely to arise, and explains the seven types of new religious movements. The religious movements include reactive movements, accommodationist movements, spirit movements, new revelation sects, import religions, golden age movements and hybrid religions. Basic features of new religious movements are likely to be a different but recognizable doctrine; a practice centered on a single, simple, sure technique or a creativ group process and practice; and a charismatic founding and leadership or an intense, highly demanding group. On the other hand, they may involve a diffuse type of influence that is not directly competitive with mainstream religion. The chapter present few examples that have barely begun to suggest the wealth of religious experience and diversity found in new religious movements around the world. The Islamic world has produced a number of new religious movements, some of them arising out of Sufi mysticism.
