The New SpiritualitiesToday there is an unlimited choice of 'spiritualities' on offer. Some are traditional while others are new and attractively packaged. Nor is it necessary for individuals to confine themselves to one particular brand of spirituality. In fact, the mixing of spiritualities is encouraged; individuals are totally free to choose the mix and…
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Islam is rarely critiqued by journalists because it can be dangerous to do so. This has been less true since 11 September 2001 because people are interested in Islam and are searching for answers.However, it is still risky to write anything that may impugn Islam and especially the founder, Mohammed. This is one reason…
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When the violence of Islam is criticised, the usual response by Muslims and others is: ‘What about the Crusades? Isn’t Christian history as bloody as Islamic history?’ However, such a comparison ignores a fundamental difference between the two religions and evades pertinent truth. While the crusades were a failure on the part of…
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The terrorist attacks in USA were carried out by men claiming a religious justification for their actions. In East Timor and Nigeria, ‘Muslim’ and ‘Christian’ communities are in conflict. In the Indian sub-continent, there is warlike confrontation between Hindus and Muslims. Is religion, then, a source of evil in the world? Would life be…
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Last month I began a closer evaluation of the theology of cults by using two criteria, namely, the reality of revelation and the relationality of revelation (God is revealed in relation to his creation). This month I want to introduce two further theological criteria.RedemptionOur third criterion is what I will call the ‘redemptive-ness’ of…
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A closer look. That is what I did recently in our local park. I was intrigued by a small object near a tree. I went nearer and looked closely at the object on the ground. It was only a twisted, rotten piece of wood.This month I take a closer look at cults in general.…
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In the papal encyclical Redemptoris Mater - on the Blessed Virgin Mary in the life of the pilgrim Church, issued in March 1987, Pope John Paul II reflected on the role of Mary in the church.Redemptoris Mater is a wide-ranging and authoritative statement on Mary from the Roman Catholic perspective. It reiterates Rome’s traditional…
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Reflections (5)Last month I emphasised that our gospel outreach witness should include sharing the gospel with members of various cults. Too often, we have ignored or neglected these people for a variety of reasons. But they really need the gospel.Occasionally I hear former cult members complain that no one had shared the gospel with…
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Having defined the key terms, and pointed to possible classifications of cults, I want to reflect this month on ourselves and our churches with regard to cults. There are challenges facing us, particularly as churches but also as individual Christians.First of all, however, let me reflect on my first meeting with cult members before…
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Reflections (3)To date, our reflections on cults have been restricted mostly to the definition and usage of key terms like 'sect', 'cult' and 'new religious movement'. While all these terms are somewhat ambiguous and limited in their usefulness, yet it is the term 'cult' that is more often used in modern parlance and by…
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'Do you belong to that cult?' That was the question thrown at me unexpectedly as I visited some houses in North West Wales. Before I could answer, the man continued: 'Do you belong to those who go around with a Bible, refusing blood transfusions for their children when they are dying?'He thought I was…
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ReflectionsIt is time to pause and reflect. But let me first explain why. Over the past months, some readers have responded positively to my articles on cults. That has been encouraging and enlightening. Quite often, readers have confirmed from their own experiences what has been written about a specific organization and also provided me…
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