Question

1. What are similarities, and differences between “cults” (NRMs) and mainstream religious movements? What is the relationship between the two?

Answer 1

The Cult (NRMs) means New Religious Movement, It is a particular type of religious group formed newly or recent time period.For Example : Art of Living Foundation by Ravi Shankar

The Mainstream usually refers to common, which represents traditionally accepted thoughts and beleives.For Example: Christanity

Similarities of both movements are the following :

a) Both have Scripters, which are written in their strong values , thoughts and rituals to be followed.

b) The  ultimate goal of the both movemnet is spiritual or mental satifaction.

d) The Both movement beilive in peace.

e) The both movement have spritual leaders

Differences of Both Movements are the following :

a) Mainstream religious movements have a spritual leader who were belived as they lived long before. Example :Jesus Christ, Sri krishnan, Muhamed Nabi and NRMs have also spiritual leaders who are still alive.

b) Main stream religious Movemnets are familiar to common people and NRMs are new to people

c) Main stream religious movements are generally available to public but NRMs sometimes not available.

d) Main stream religious movements are generally inherited thing, but NRMs are adopted by new generation people based on their own expereinces and testimonials .

e) NRMs some times have paid member ship but still Main stream reliogious movements doesnot have it.

f) The methodology and rituals followed by NRMs are extermely different from Main stream Religious group.

g) Sometimes , its difficult to quit from the NRMs , because it tied with terms and conditions.But in case of mainstream religious movements are free and transparent.

h) People get attracted to NRMs because generally because of brain wash. But incase of Main stream religious movement it is open.

Relationship between NRMs and Main stream religious Movements is that both movements are organised to form a a community which are in need of peace in state of mind and discipline in their life.