Teast
Index of Cults and Religions
By the Staff of Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
Introduction
This Index contains brief definitions, descriptions or cross references on over 1,200 religious organizations and beliefs, as well as world religions (including Christianity) and related doctrines. Watchman Fellowship is a Christian apologetics and discernment ministry; thus, many references ("Jesus," "Gospel," "Christianity," etc.) contain definitions that reflect the beliefs of Watchman's staff. While Watchman Fellowship does not hold to the beliefs of non-Christian religions and doctrines, we also attempt to describe these beliefs factually, fairly and accurately. Readers are asked to assist in this effort by suggesting corrections or improvements.
This is by no means a complete list of cults and religions. Watchman Fellowship maintains over 10,000 files and a research library of over 25,000 books and periodicals on religions, cults, new religious movements and related teachings. The absence of a religious movement from this index does not mean that Watchman Fellowship endorses the organization.
How To Use This Index
Begin your search by clicking on the highlighted letter below that is the first letter of the term for which you are searching (or, if your browser will do so, perform a word search for the term). If the term is listed, it will be followed by a brief definition. Most of these definitions contain highlighted words that are linked to the definitions for those words; clicking on the highlighted word will take you directly to that definition.
#A"A
[[#B"|B#C"C[[#D"|
D[[#E"|E[[#F"|F[[#G"|G[[#H"|H[[#I"|I[[#J"|J[[#K"|K[[#L"|L[[#M"|M[[#N"|N[[#O"|O[[#P"|P[[#Q"|Q[[#R"|R[[#S"|S[[#T"|T[[#U"|U[[#V"|V[[#W"|W[[#X"|X[[#Y"|Y[[#Z"|Z
Some Definitions
By using the terms "cult," "occult," and "New Age," Watchman Fellowship is in no way implying that the followers or leaders are necessarily evil or immoral people. It simply means that such groups seem to promote doctrine or practices which may be considered outside the realm of historic Christianity.
By its primary dictionary definition, the term cult just means a system of religious beliefs or rituals. It is based on a farming term in Latin meaning cultivation. Sociologists and anthropologists sometimes use the term cult to describe religious structure or belief patterns with meanings (usually non-pejorative) unique to their disciplines. In modern usage, the term cult is often used by the general public to describe any religious group they view as strange or dangerous. Thus, cult can describe religious leaders or organizations that employ abusive, manipulative, or illegal control over their followers' lives. In addition to these usages, Christians generally have a doctrinal component to their use of the word. Cult in this sense, is a counterfeit or serious deviation from the doctrines of classical Christianity. Watchman Fellowship usually uses the term cult with a Christian or doctrinal definition in mind. In most cases the group claims to be Christian, but because of their aberrant beliefs on central doctrines of the faith (God, Jesus, and salvation), the organization is not considered by Watchman Fellowship to be part of orthodox, biblical Christianity.
The term, "occult" comes from the Latin occultus or "hidden."
Generally the word is used of secret or mysterious supernatural powers or magical, religious rituals. The word "occult" in this publication is used to describe any attempt to gain supernatural power or knowledge apart from the God of the Bible. Generally it refers to witchcraft, satanism, neo-paganism, or various forms of Psychic discernment (astrology, seances, palm reading, etc.).
New Age is a recent and developing belief system in North America encompassing thousands of autonomous (and sometime contradictory) beliefs, organizations, and events. Generally the New Age borrows its theology from pantheistic Eastern religions and its practices from 19th century Western occultism. The term "New Age" is used herein as an umbrella term to describe organizations which seem to exhibit one or more of the following beliefs: (1) All is one, all reality is part of the whole; (2) Everything is God and God is everything; (3) Man is God or a part of God; (4) Man never dies, but continues to live through reincarnation; (5) Man can create his own reality and/or values through transformed consciousness or altered states of consciousness.
Index of Cults and Religions
3H0:
See Healthy, Happy, and Holy
.
7 Habits of Highly Effective People:
A book by Stephen Covey
Aaronic Order,
Maurice Glendenning, Murry, UT: Splinter group from LDS
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), founded in 1942 by Glendenning after he was excommunicated by the LDS Church for receiving and publishing revelations later known as the
Levitical Writings.
Abaddon:
(Hebrew for "The Destroyer"; in Greek,
Apollyon
) A demon
described in the Bible
as "the angel of the bottomless pit" (Revelation 9:11).
Old Greenwich, CT: Esotericmagic, teachings of Aleister Crowley
Abode of the Message,
Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, New Lebanon, NY: Sufism, alchemy, dowsing, meditation
to lead to "inner attunement," ative American spirituality, sweat lodge
Academy for Guided Imagery,
Martin L. Rossman & David E. Bresler, Mill Valley, CA: Healing by altered states of consciousness, imagery training (i.e., visualization
), hypnosis
and magic
Evanston, IL: Organization founded in 1956 to explore psychic
occurrences and metaphysica
experiences while evaluating the growing interest in occult phenomena in Christian churches. See Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship, Spiritualism, Divination
Actualism:
New Age
teaching based on panentheism, according to which all human beings possess the divine Christ-consciousness
and are united with the Mother-Father-Creator God.
See Acupuncture
Chinese system of healing using needles or hand pressure (
acupressure
) applied to certain points on the body, traditionally believed to balance the
yin and yang
energies in the body by opening blocked meridians (apexes in the pathways). Once the
chakras
(key points or intersections) are open, the
chi
or energy, supposedly can then flow through the body bringing all things into harmony. While some limited physical effects (mostly anesthetic) can be attributed to this practice, these effects have scientific, physiological explanations totally unrelated to the mystical explanation, which derives from TaoismSee [[#Holistic|Holistic Health]
Profile
available.
Adams, Dennis,
Mt. Shasta, CA: New Age, man is God.
Adelphi Organization,
Dallas, TX: New Age
teachings on Atlantis, karma, seven planes of existence. See Stelle Group
Adeptco,
Chuck McDonald, Omaha, NE: Yoga, crystals, reincarnation, karma
and Kabbalah
teachings.
Advanced Organization of Los Angeles (AOLA):
Promotes Scientology
philosophy.
Advanced Systems, Inc.:
See Zen Master Rama
Widespread trans-denominational movement inspired by William Miller's prediction that Jesus' "advent" (return) would take place in 1844. Even after the Great Disappointment (the date's failure), many people in the movement continued to believe. Some suggested revised chronologies and new dates, eventually forming groups such as the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society Others, notably Hiram Edson and Ellen G. White, suggested that the 1844 date was accurate but that a heavenly (thus invisible) event had taken place. Their teachings became the basis of Seventh-day Adventism, which eventually spawned its own offshoots, including Armstrongism
and the Branch Davidians
Aesthetic Realism Foundation,
Eli Seigel, New York: Happiness can be achieved through the harmony of opposites, e.g., realizing and accepting that the world is both beautiful and horrific (see Taoism
). Educators have criticized the Foundation after public school teachers in New York introduced the philosophy into high school English, biology, and art courses.
Aetherius Society,
Sir George King: Clairvoyance, karma, reincarnation, psychometry, Great White Brotherhood, UFO, alchemy, occult
secrets of Jesus, mantras
Affective Education:
Also called value-free, or non-directive, education. Influenced by the philosophy of Carl Rogers, affective education programs attempt to facilitate the emotional development of children in order to enhance the learning process, particularly focusing on self-esteem. This contrasts with traditional educational paradigms that focus on cognitive, or intellectual, practices such as reading, writing, and arithmetic. Affective education has become particularly influential in drug awareness programs for youth.
Agasha Temple of Wisdom,
William Eisen, Los Angeles, CA: Universal consciousness of god, reincarnation, occult pyramidology, Ascended Masters
Agnosticism:
The claim (denied by Romans 1:18–20) that one has no knowledge of God or the origin of the universe. Some agnostics make the claim on a personal level, while allowing that such knowledge may exist but has never been known by themselves. Others assert that such knowledge cannot be had by anyone. Agnostics avoid the charge of dogmatic atheism
by acknowledging the theoretical possibility of God's existence. Yet virtually all live as if the non-existence of God was an established fact, and are thus
practical atheists
Agon Buddhism:
Sect of BuddhismUses the
Agon Sutras
as scriptures.
Agyeman, Jaramogi Abebe:
See Pan African Orthodox Christian Church
<div id="Ahabah" ]]
]]
Ahabah Asah Prophetic Ministries:
See Gatekeepers
Ahmadiyya Movement:
Sect of Islam
following the teachings of Ahmad (1835-1908), an Indian Muslim; most followers in the US are black, Indian, or Pakistani.
AION:
#Magic"Z>Magic, runes, goddess worship
Term used in theosophy
designating an alleged library that exists on the astral plane containing all the thoughts, actions, and events of mankind. Mystics, through altered states of consciousness, tune into this library for information.
Tony Alamo, leader of this group, has been imprisoned by authorities for alleged illegal activities. Teaches traditional Christianity is dead. Former followers have reported deplorable living conditions, mind control, and slave labor. Operates Music Square Church in TN, Holiness Tabernacle in Dyer, AR, and End Times Book is the publishing arm.
Alan Shawn Feinstein Association,
Cranston, RI: UFOs, contactee.
consciousness through various mystical techniques.
January 18, 2000.
Aleph: Alliance for Jewish Renewal,
Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Philadelphia, PA: Combines Chassidic Judaism, Native American spirituality, Eastern mysticism,
A Course in Miracles
, and New Age
practices. Emphasizes combining syncretistic spirituality and psychology.
Aletheia Psycho-Physical Foundation, Jack Schwarz, Ashland, OR: New Age seminars on the inner-self, paraconsciousness, meditation
and visualization
All-One-God-Faith, Emanuel H. Bronner, Escondido, CA: Sells
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap, which claims to clean both body and soul. The soap is widely available in health-food stores. Teaches (like Process Theology) that God is continually recreating Himself. God desires all nations and religions to unite in an "All-One-God-Faith" on Spaceship Earth. This unification will come about through following 13 precepts and 20 directives revealed to Bronner by God.
All Souls Unitarian Church,
John Wolf, Tulsa, OK: See Unitarian-Universalist Association for similar theological perspective.
All Ways Free, Madison, WI: New Age periodical.
Allah: Arabic, Muslim name for God; see Islam.
Allegro, John: Wrote The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross
.
Alphabiotic New Life Center,
Dallas, TX: #New"ZNew Age seminars on one's divine being, Ramtha, yoga
and channeling
Alphasonic International, Los Angeles, CA: Company specializing in tapes with subliminal messages
Trances entered through hypnosis, meditation, drugs (including hallucinogenics), visualization, etc. State of being in which one allows the subconscious to take control and guide. May heighten one's vulnerability to suggestion or susceptibility to deception.
Alternative Medicine:
See Holistic Health
Amalgamated Flying Saucer Clubs of America: See [[#Mon-Ka"|Mon-Ka Retreat…]
Ambassador University, Big Sandy, TX: Now defunct Liberal arts and religious institution founded by Herbert Armstrong. See Armstrongism
Ambassadors For Christ, Tustin, CA: See Watchtower Bible and Tract Society for similar theological perspective.
Ameba, San Francisco, CA: Paganism, promotes the teachings of Aleister Crowley, Celtic rituals
American Academy of Dissident Sciences, Culver City, CA: Studying a wide array of conspiracy theories, the Academy focuses on UFOs and the Illuminati
American Association of Ayurvedic Medicine,
Fairfield, IA: Holistic health association founded by Deepak Chopra
while he followed the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (see Ayurvedic medicine; Transcendental Meditation).
American Babaji Yoga Sangam,
New York, NY: Hinduism-based philosophy, yoga
Americ an Constitution Committee: Political organization of the Unification Church
American Fellowship Services: Splinter group of The Way International
American Foundation for the Science of Creative Intelligence: A branch of Transcendental Meditation
American Gnostic Church,
Daeva Ares Animo: Paganism, Kabbalah rituals, Egyptian magic, Satanism rituals of Anton LaVey, Gnostic Mass.
American Holistic Nurses Association, Amherst, MA: Trains medical nurses to use therapeutic touch and meditation with patients.
American Imagery Institute Milwaukee, WI: New Age teachings on visualization, astral projection
American Leadership College, Inc. Osceola, IA: New Age occult
teachings on trance healings, mediumship, self-realization dreams.
American Pie and the Armageddon Bible Prophecy Home Page: The pop song American Pie, which prophesies the destruction of America, was foretold in the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32. See Apocalypse
American Society for Psychical Research, Simon Newcomb, New York, NY: ESP, out-of-body experiences, mediums, parapsychology, psychokinesis
American Study Group, UT: Defunct splinter group from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(LDS) that used the Book of Mormon
and the teachings of LDS leaders to speculate on end-time events.
American West Publishers, Tehachapi, CA: UFOs cosmic laws of balance. Publishes the Phoenix Journal
American Zen Center: Zen Buddhism, shamanism, Sufism
AMOM: See Ancient Mystic Order of Malchizedek
AMOOKOS: Occult, magic, some Hinduism, man is already a master.
AMORC: See Rosicrucian Order
Anchor of Golden Light, Dorothy and Henry Leon, Grants Pass, OR: UFOs, Ascended Masters, Kabbalah mysticism, alchemy, numerology Publishes the Anchor of Golden Light newsletter.
Ancient Wisdom Connection, N. Myrtle Beach, SC: New Age channeling, numerology and belief in "Lord Sananda," who is an incarnation of Jesus
Anglo-Israelism: See British Israelism
Animal Magnetism: See Mesmerism
Anthropomancy: A form of divination based on psychic readings of the entrails of a human who has been ritualistically sacrificed.
Anthroposophic Society, Rudolf Steiner, Hudson, NY: Similar to the Chicago organization (below), possibly affiliated.
; teachings on karma, meditation, Atlantis and reincarnation
Apostasy:
From the Greek word apostasis, meaning "rebellion," and the Latin word
apostasia, meaning "abandonment," the term apostasy refers to a renunciation of the Christian faith. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society
applies the label apostate to former Jehovah's Witnesses, who are then shunned by all Witnesses in good standing.
Apostle: From the Greek word apostolos, meaning "messenger," the term apostle refers to those leaders of the early Christian church who were chosen by Jesus. The criteria for being an apostle was 1) the individual was personally chosen by Christ; and 2) the individual must have personally seen Christ. Members of the top two quorums of leadership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claim the title today.
Apostolic Overcoming Holiness of God, Inc., Birmingham, AL: Pentecostal church, stresses the oneness of God while accepting the Triune Being of the Godhead. Salvation depends upon baptism, tarrying to receive the Holy Spirit, and holiness. Publishes The People's Mouthpiece magazine.
Apostolic United Brethren:
See Corporation of the Presiding Elder of the Apostolic United Brethren
Applewhite, Marshall:
See Heaven's Gate
Aquarian Academy,
Robert E. Birdsong, Eureka, CA: Jesus only an avatar
of the Cosmic Christ, of the Great White Brotherhood
of Light. Man's purpose is to reach the transcendental plane, release from the wheel of fate, astral projection, meditation, cosmic truths.
Aquarian Age Teaching, Ruby Focus, Sedona, AZ: Discover the God within, the Father-Mother god, Atlantis, Christ-consciousness
Aquarian Church of Universal Service,
Paul Shockley, Portland, OR: Teaches cosmic awareness but with no specific doctrine. Similar to Unitarian-Universalist
The Aquarian Conspiracy,
Marilyn Ferguson: A book documenting and advocating the widespread growth of the New Age movement.
Aquarian Educational Group,
Torkom Saraydarian, Sedona, AZ: Astrology, moon festivals, use the Bhagavad-Gita, Jesus
only an avatarPublishes the Fiery Synthesis magazine.
Aquarian Foundation, Keith Milton Rhinehart, Seattle, WA: Universalism, yoga, spiritism, Theosophy
-based philosophy.
Aquarian Minyan,
Berkeley, CA: Jewish group, yoga, mysticism
Aquarian Perspectives Inter Planetary Mission,
Montgomery, AL: UFO
group, receives messages from Futron and the Rainbow Star Legionnaires.
Aquarian Tabernacle Church,
Index, WA: Paganism, worship of Mother Earth, goddess
worship, sun and moon festival, magicPublishes the Panegyria newsletter.
Arcana Workshop,
Manhattan Beach, CA: Meditation, Great Invocation, moon festivals. Based on the teachings of Alice Bailey (see Arcane School). Publishes the
Thoughtline newsletter.
teachings, connected with Lucis Trust, formerly Lucifer Trust. Similar to Theosophy
for real estate brokering, financing and seminars. On January 18, 2000, the cult announced it was also changing its own name to Arefu (Aleph, in English).
Arete Truth Center,
Paul Lachlan Peck, Las Vegas, NV: New Age, metaphysics, teaches balancing the body, mind and spirit.
Arguelles, Jose: New Ager who staged the Harmonic Convergence
Arizona Light,
Phoenix, AZ: New Age periodical.
Arizona Metaphysical Society, Frank Alper, Phoenix, AZ: New Age seminars on rebirthing, astral projection, channeling, karma, reincarnation, and crystals
Arizona Network News, Scottsdale, AZ: New Age periodical.
Arm of the Lord, Warren, OH: Teaches that it is a satanic idea to invite Jesus into "one's life."
Armageddon Time Ark Base Operation, O.T. Nodrog, Weslaco, TX: UFO group, channels messages from outer dimensional forces.
Armstrong, Garner Ted: Son of Herbert W. Armstrong who formed his own rival Armstrongism
splinter group, the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association. See Church of God, International
Armstrong, Herbert W.: See Armstrongism, Worldwide Church of God
(WCG). Armstrong rejected such essential doctrines of evangelical Christianity
as the Trinity, the full deity of Jesus Christ, and the personality of the Holy Spirit. Armstrong taught British Israelism and believed that worthy humans could eventually "become God as God is God." Teaches salvation by works predicated on Sabbatarianism, tithing (20-30%), and keeping the Old Testament feast days and dietary laws. Under the leadership of Armstrong's successors, Joseph W. Tkach and his son Joe Tkach, the WCG has undergone a radical doctrinal transformation. Scores of splinter groups, such as the Global Church of God and the United Church of God, continue to teach various forms of Armstrongism.
Arn Draiocht Fein, P.E.I. Bonewits, Nyack, NY: Paganism, Druids, polytheism, nature worship. Publishes News from the Mother Grove
newsletter.
Aromatherapy Seminars, Los Angeles, CA: Holistic Healing therapy, oils healing the psyche. See Aromatherapy.
Arunachala Ashram, Bhagavan Sri Ramana: Hinduism -based philosophy, also called Maharshi Center, Inc.
Aryan Nations Church,
Hayden Lake, ID: A neo-Nazi paramilitary organization in the Christian Identity movement
that preaches against all non-Caucasian groups. The Order, an Aryan Nations break-off group, killed Alan Berg, a Jewish radio personality in Denver, in 1984. The Aryan Nations received national notice in 1992 when the wife of member Randy Weaver was killed in a shootout with the FBI in Ruby Ridge, ID.
As It Is:
See Process Church of the Final Judgement
Asatru Free Assembly, Denair, CA: Paganism, worships Odin as Father-god, Frigga as Mother-god and Nerthus as Mother-Earth. Publishes
The Runestone
newsletter.
Ascended Master Teaching Foundation,
Mt. Shasta, CA: Occult, part of the I AM movement, Great White Brotherhood, similar to Theosophy
), Ramtha (see Knight, J. Z.), Mafu (see Torres, Penny, Seth (see Roberts, Jane, and others.
Ascended Masters School of Light, Toni Moltzan, Carrollton, TX: New Age, channeling, Ascended Masters including Jesus, universal consciousness.
Ascension Week Enterprises, Santa Fe, NM: New Age, Channeling, reaching out to children with New Age programs.
ASCENT Foundation,
Larry Jensen, Sedona, AZ: New Age enlightenment, similar to Silva Mind Control, est, and Lifespring
Asheville Meditation Center, Asheville, NC: New Age, achieving man's divine nature, transcendence.
Assemblies of the Called Out Ones of "Yah," Sam Surratt, Milan, TX: Sacred Name movement
Assemblies of Yahweh,
Jacob Meyer, Bethel, PA: Publishes
The Sacred Name Broadcaster magazine. See Sacred Name movement
Assemblies of Yahweh (7th day), Cisco, TX: See Sacred Name movement
Assembly of Scientific Astrologers,
George Cardinal, LeGrosoplin, MO: Esoteric astrology, karma
and reincarnation
Assembly of Yahweh, Holt, MI: Founded in 1930, perhaps the oldest of the Sacred Name groups in America. Sabbatarianism Publishes The Faith
Assembly of YHW Yoshua, Pueblo, CO: Sacred Name movement
Associated Readers of Tarot International, Carbondale, IL: Tarot form of divination, Celtic rituals
Associates for Scriptural Knowledge, Ernest L. Martin, Portland, OR: Anti-denominational group whose Associates study doctrine through a Home Study Course. Teaches universalism, i.e., that all people will be saved (although not all will experience the first resurrection and live in Christ's millennial kingdom), and the Sacred Name doctrine (Martin claims that the name Yahweh was removed from the Bible by Jerome). Martin was fired by the Foundation for Biblical Research (an Armstrongism splinter group in Alhambra, CA) in 1984 for espousing these doctrines. Publishes a "restored" Bible called The Manuscript Version of the Bible, and The ASK Communicator.
Association for Christian Development, Kenneth Westby Auburn, WA: Armstrongism splinter group.
Association for Past-Life Research and Therapies, Inc. Riverside, CA: New Age, reincarnation and astrology
Association for the Understanding of Man, Austin, TX: New Age, channeling, psychic reading, altered states of consciousness
Association of Unity Churches: The denominational structure affiliated with the Unity School of Christianity
Association Sananda & Sanat Kumara, Mt. Shasta, CA: New Age, channeling Christ-consciousness teachings.
Astara, Robert & Evelyn Chaney: New Age, spiritism, yogaPublishes Voice of Astara
Astro Computing Services, San Diego, CA: Astrology
Astrology:
An ancient fatalistic system of divination using the position of the planets, moon and sun in the twelve Zodiac positions at the moment of one's birth to gain occult or hidden knowledge of the future. Profile available.
Astrology and Psychic News,
N. Hollywood, CA: New Age periodical.
Atlantic Pagan Council: Association of East Coast pagan covens, magic, moon festivals, paganismPublishes the Atlantic Pagan Council Amateur Publishers' Association newsletter.
Atman: A term used in Hinduism referring to the eternal or real self and sometimes refering to the principle of life in all things.
Aum Supreme Truth: See Aum Shinri Kyo
Author Services, Inc.: Promotes Scientology philosophy.
Avanta Network, Palo Alto, CA: New Age, works by Virginia Satir promoted, positive and negative energies.
Avatar, Flagstaff, AZ: New Age seminars similar to est and Lifespring, enables participant to have conscious shift of beliefs.
Awake! Magazine published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society
Awareness Research Foundation, Inc., North Miami, FL: Astrology, Atlantis, UFO
s, ESP and Lord Sananda.
Ayurvedic Lifestyle Center, Pearl Miller, Reno, NV: Eastern mysticism, meditation, homeopathy
Baba, Sai: Indian guru, Hinduism, meditation, Kundalini yoga
.
Bear Tribe Medicine Society, Spokane, WA: Native American spirituality, Mother Earth, medicine wheel, moon ceremonies.
The Beatles: A highly influential rock-and-roll group from the 1960s. In 1966 they became involved in Transcendental Meditation; later both John Lennon and George Harrison repudiated TM. Harrison then became a devotee of ISKCON
and recorded his hit single "My Sweet Lord" as a devotion to Lord KrishnaThe Beatles are widely credited with increasing the popularity of Eastern religions in the United States.
<div id="Believers"|]]
Believers International, Tucson, AZ: Compiling a compendium of all of William Branham
's teachings. Publishes Believer's News.
Bell, Art: Popular late-night radio talk show host. While his Coast to Coast weeknight broadcast and Dreamland weekend broadcast focus on a wide array of New Age and occult issues, as well as many conspiracy theories, one of the most common subjects discussed by guests on the program is UFOs.
Bermuda Triangle: Geographically, the Triangle composes the southwestern quadrant of the North Atlantic, with apexes in Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and in the Gulf of Mexico west of Florida. Some people involved in the occult and UFO studies believe the Triangle is a supernaturally dangerous area, with many ships and airplanes disappearing in the Triangle in the 20th century.
Bernard, David:
A well-known Oneness Pentecostal
writer and speaker.
Bet Hashem – The House of YHWH, New Haven, IN: Sacred Name, man is the offspring of light, conversion is the union with the light.
Beth El Shaddai, Dick Amos, Plano, TX: Dual Covenant doctrine, denies Jesus is God.
Beth HaShem, Jacob Hawkins, Odessa, TX: Sacred name, Sabbatarianism, keeps Old Testament feasts and laws for salvation. Publishes
The Prophetic Watchman newsletter.
and ISKCON
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh: Though this Indian guru is deceased, many followers still practice his unique form of Hindu philosophy and sexual yoga system to gain enlightenment.
Bhakti Yoga: Type of yoga or spiritual exercise involving devotion to a guru
<div id="Bible"|]]
Bible:
Considered scripture by Christianity Consists of the Jewish scriptures (Old Testament) and the Christian scriptures (New Testament).
Bible Believers, Inc.: See Branham, William
Bible Code, Michael Drosnin: Bestselling 1997 book teaches that prophecies are hidden in a complex network of letters and words within the Old Testament. Drosnin claims that he attempted to warn Israeli leader Yitzak Rabin of his impending assassination based on a prediction in the biblical code. The theory is a form of numerology and has some associations with the Jewish occultism of the Kabbalah
Bible Speaks, The: Former name of Greater Grace World Outreach
Bible Talks: Home and campus group studies sponsored by the International Churches of Christ
Bible Way Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ:
Oneness Pentecostalism
denomination.
Bible Way Publications,
Ft. Lauderdale, FL: Bible Students group.
Biblical Church of God,
Santa Cruz, CA: Armstrongism splinter group.
Biblical Research Centers: Regional centers for The Way International
Bind: See Spell
Bioenergy: New Age
practice of healing. Balances the life-energy by opening blocked meridians (see acupuncture
).
BioEnergetic Synchronization Techniques: New Age method using the body's life force to heal itself.
Biofeedback: The use of EEG (electroencephalographic) feeback instruments to monitor brain waves and skin resistance with the goal of modification of brain waves. Participants can learn to control heart rates or generate brain wave activity (alpha, beta, and delta) at will to induce altered states of consciousnessEnhances the capacity for relaxation and/or inducing meditative states and physiological control similar to that in yoga and Zen
Biointegration, Ross Algelo, Dallas, TX: New Age, body alignment, yoga, reflexology, rebirthing
Bio-Magnetics: New Age, the realigning of magnetic fields allegedly surrounding the body.
BioPsciences Institute, Minneapolis, MN: Astrology
Black Mass: A ritual in Satanism that attempts to negate or profane the Catholic Mass. Black candles are used and Catholic prayers recited backwards. Allegedly, the communion is occasionally performed using human blood and flesh.
Black Muslim: Generic term referring to Nation of Islam
and related groups.
Black Christian Nationalist Movement: See Pan African Orthodox Christian Church
Blavatsky, Madame Helena Petrovna:
Founder of Theosophy
Blessed Be: A common greeting used among Wiccans to invoke or wish happiness and well-being.
Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, p. 53). No longer taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the belief is often preached and sometimes practiced by members of Mormon Fundamentalist
splinter groups. To this day, Utah allows condemned murders to face execution by firing squad rather than methods that do not shed the criminal's blood, such as lethal injection or the electric chair.
Blue Lotus, Wilmot, WI: New Age periodical.
Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, Eknath Easwaran, Petaluma, CA: Hindu philosophy, meditation, uses the Bhagavad-Gita
Blue Rose Ministry, Robert Short, Joshua Tree, CA: UFOs, messages from the "space brothers," channelingPublishes the Solar Space-Letter
Blue Star, Mary Thunder, West Point, TX: New Age, sweat lodge, channeling, Spiritual University.
Body, Mind and Soul: Houston, TX: New Age periodical.
Body, Mind and Spirit: Providence, RI: New Age magazine.
Book of Changes:
See I Ching
Book of Shadows: A journal for recording occult activities.
Bookmark, Santa Clarita, CA: Christian Science splinter group.
Borderland Science Research Foundation
Garberville, CA: Alchemy, dowsing, UFOs, astrology
Boston Church of Christ:
See International Churches of Christ
preacher who claimed he received healing and prophetic powers from an angel. Denied the Trinity, taught the serpent seed
doctrine, and rejected other Pentecostal and traditional Christian churches. "Branhamism" is still taught at the Branham Tabernacle in Jeffersonville, IN, and in many other places around the world. Profile available.
Brinkley, Dannion: As chronicled in his bestseller Saved by the Light, Brinkley allegedly underwent a near-death experience after being struck by lightning. He teaches people to perform "life reviews" to enhance their perception of life and death and to find their life missions. He operates a hospice organization called Compassion in Action / The Twilight Brigade.
Brotherhood and Order of the Pleroma, Richard Duc de Palatine, Sherman Oaks, CA: New Age revival of Gnosticism, God and man are the same being.
Brotherhood of Eternal Truth, New Albany, IN: Spiritualism, astrology, [[#Atlantis"|Atlantis, channeling, magic, past life regressionAlso known as Center of Light and Life.
Brotherhood of Seth, Ellsworth, ME: Paganism, homosexual or homophilic magic, teachings of Aleister Crowley
Brotherhood of the Followers of the Present Jesus, Ann and Peter Meyer, San Diego, CA: Alchemy, Christ-consciousness in each person, channeling and clairvoyance
Brotherhood of the White Temple, Inc., M. Doreal, Castle Rock, CO: New Age/occult metaphysical teachings, soul illumination, three planes of existence.
The Bruderhof Community: A communal society started in Germany in the 1920s and based on the sixteenth-century Moravian Anabaptist sect of Jacob Hutter, which was part of the Radical Reformation. The group is also called the Society of Brothers and the Hutterian Brethren. The basic theology of the group is Protestant but, according to former members and other critics, the group exercises inappropriate control over the members and practices shunning and other forms of spiritual abuse
Buddha's Universal Church, San Francisco, CA: Similar to Buddhism in theology.
Builders, Norman Paulsen, Oasis, NV: New Age, Christ-consciousness, meditation, Father-Mother God, enlightenment.
Builders of the Adytum, Paul Foster Case, Los Angeles, CA: Occult, Kabbalah, Tarot, spiritual alchemy, [[#Esoteric"|esotericastrology
Burning Man Festival, Black Rock Desert, NV: An annual festival celebrating neo-paganism and Satanism The name comes from the culmination of the festival, in which a wooden man with outstretched arms (resembling a crucifix) is burned by the crowd.
Buzzworm
:
New Age /environmental periodical.
C.O.B.U.: See Church of Bible Understanding
.
Cabalah: See Kabbalah.
Caelum Moor, Arlington, TX: Private park (now closed) containing menhirs (large upright stones) similar to those found at Stonehenge. Newspaper reports claim trespassers have used the site for pagan ceremonies. See Stonehenge
CAN:
See Cult Awareness Network
Canfield, Jack: New Age education author, editor of popular Chicken Soup books. Very influential in the public school arena.
Cantillation Research Foundation,< John Diamond, Valley Cottage, NY: New Age, pantheism, All is God, All is Mother.
CARP:
See Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles
Castaneda, Carlos:
New Age author of The Teachings of Don Juan series. He helped popularize [[#NatAm"|Native Americanshamanism, the hallucinogenic peyote, and New Age occultism
Castle Rising,
Denver, CO: Paganism, magic, psychic impressions, moon festivals, crystals Publishes the Castle Rising newsletter.
Catholicism:
See Roman Catholicism
CAUSA:
Organization affiliated with the Unification Church
book by James Redfield that teaches enlightenment through the fictional "Nine Insights" contained in secret manuscripts written by Maya natives in the jungles of Peru.
frequently claims to be Celtic, although the modern beliefs and practices bear little resemblance to ancient Celticism.
Celtic Christianity:
Augustine of Canterbury evangelized England in the late 6th ? early 7th centuries. His work was later taken by Patrick to Ireland, who is largely credited with establishing the Celtic church. Celtic Christianity was heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic Church, to which it was allied, although many individuals claim a greater reverence for nature in the Celtic tradition. Differences in practice within the Celtic church were gradually eradicated during the Middle Ages as the Roman papacy asserted its authority over Ireland. Modern groups that claim to revive Celtic Christianity are frequently a mixture of Protestantism and Roman Catholicism, with few legitimate ties to the early Celtic church. Nonetheless, these groups should not be confused with neo-pagan groups that also claim to be Celtic.
Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, NM: Yoga, Enneagram workshops.
Center for Advanced Communication and Training, Carrollton, TX: New Age, hypnosis, Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Center for Alternate Realities,
Durango, CO: Metaphysics, crystals, shamanism, runes, Tarot Cards, guided meditation, palm reading
Center for Personal and Planetary Empowerment,
Austin, TX: New Age, meditation, alchemy
Center For Spiritual Awareness,
Roy Eugene Davis, Lakemont, GA: New Age, enlightenment, man's higher self, cosmic-consciousness.
Center for Studies on New Religions,
Massimo Introvigne, Torino, Italy: Introvigne studies new and alternative religious groups. He and his work, which is frequently supportive of new religions, are often used by alternative religious groups to support their activities when pursuing governmental recognition.
Center for Wisdom Spirituality,
Paradise, PA: UniversalismPublishes the
Interconnections
newsletter.
Center for World Networking,
Soguel, CA: UFO, psychic, yoga, Universal Energy.
The Centers Network:
See est
Centre de Recherche sur l'Energie Humaine Universelle (CREHU): See Spiritual Human Yoga
Centric,
Houston, TX: New Age periodical.
<div id="Chakras"|]]
Chakras:
New Age, said to be centers for cosmic energy in the human body that are aligned to allow the Kundalini energy
to proceed from the base of the spine to the top of the forehead.
Champaign-Urbana Church of Christ:
Member, International Churches of Christ
(also called trance channeling). Spirit beings, Ascended Masters, deceased humans, familiar spirits, or animal spirits allegedly communicate important messages by temporarily entering the body and controlling the voice of a host (channel or medium). Most channelers give the same basic message, that man is a God.
Profileavailable.