Religions Currently Dominating - Essay Example

Introduction New world religions have developed in this period thus creating controversies. Religion is a set of beliefs derived by elders in a particular society to influence the moral values necessary in the shaping of society and enforces the power of the supernatural being in stressing the rules. Religions and sciences have no correlation in their teaching in any sense. There are some certain avenues where science and religion do not blend. Religions are in a large sense founded upon a set of beliefs about the existence of Gods. They hold to different views on the nature and existence of a deity and the universe in itself. This paper seeks to analyze some of the religions that are currently dominating in this era. Scientology The Church of Scientology was established in 1954 and total owns more than six thousand churches, missions and minister the religion to more than eight million people. The emergence of this church has led the community to ask the details of its doctrines. Their beliefs have to root and their understanding of a supreme being and the supernatural aspects of life is biased. Scientology is a religion that dominates in this era that brings man to a state of total freedom and truth. This religion believes that human beings are immortal beings and that their experience extends even beyond a single lifetime. They tend to embrace that mans capabilities are unlimited even if not realized first hand. Man according to this sect is considered good and is only seeking to survive with his survival depending upon himself and his friends and his accomplishment of goodwill with the universe. Goals of Scientology The goals of this religion are to achieve a total certainty in an individual’s spiritual existence, ones relationship to the Supreme Being, and his role in eternity. Many authorities confirm that Scientology finds its base in the traditions of the world’s religions. Scientology expresses total freedom as a goal for salvation and offers humankind a route to attaining this through personal revelation. This religion encompasses a rich background of ceremonies, rites and passages with decisive principles developed towards bettering the lives of individuals. Elements of Attraction The major element that attracts many people to Scientology is its workability, its practicality, and reasons that it accepts anything contrary to faith. An individual in this sect is within his power expected to reflect in the daily miracles of life. It appeals to many individuals from various areas of the world with many of its believers being artisans in the academic arena, government officials, famous figures in the entertainment industry and the arts among others. These personalities hold the idea that their lives have been transformed through this religion. In the light of the views placed on Scientology in relation to modern scientific definition of religion, it is noticeable that Scientology is a religion with its own idiosyncratic beliefs in account of the unseen spiritual order. This religion has its own authoritative texts and community activity that builds their social life. Aspect of Salvation The aspect of salvation in Scientology progresses from personal lack of knowledge and oppression into Gnostic freedom from the body and universe. At tens of thousands of dollars, one is progressively saved by knowledge. Scientology also believes that, through good works, one has the capacity of arriving at the highest state of salvation. This is way contrary to the beliefs of the scriptures, which assert that salvation is a gift, and one is redeemed from sin on the principle of race, through Christ’s atonement on the cross. Self-realization Scientologists tend to hold the believe that man is more than a mind and body and that it is he, with his spirit can control his mind and body. This Church has no doctrine concerning the existence of God and as a person discovers himself, others and the environment, each person discovers who God is and exactly what God means to him. In short, how God is symbolized depends on each discovery. Rewards in Attaining these Goals The Scientologists hold on the idea that God helps those who do help themselves and that each person has all the answers to the mysteries of life and that all he requires is an awareness of these answers. Each person can think for himself and thus help himself become happy in life. This sect recognizes the existence of good and evil. Those actions that enhance the course of survival on the majority of the eight aspects of life are considered good and those, which destroy or deny these aspects of life, are evil. Transcendental Meditation Transcendental meditation is all about individual from different religious background indulging in scientific therapy whereby they see themselves in being in a different world through meditation. This is a teaching according to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who is a renowned scholar of the science of being and the art of living. Their belief is based on interacting with directly with the divine being. He explains that the majority of religions gives their followers teachings of living as good people in the world, but fails to make them understand the power of the supernatural being. These practices denounce the use of words in practicing religion, but rather initiate a practical value. These values are based on the living a good life that is free from evil. TM practice is all about avoiding distraction through thoughts and promotion of relaxation. This practice from Indian origin came into the limelight in the 1960s. Goals of Transcendental Meditation During the time of meditation, the individual who is practicing TM requires sitting contentedly eyes shut and is supposed to silently reiterate a hymn. Mantra is simply an insignificant hum that originated from the Vedic tradition that is already signed by a qualified mentor. In accordance to TM followers, during meditation, the usual thinking procedure is surpassed. It is reinstated by a condition of awareness. In this position, the person meditating acquires ideal stillness, steadiness, order, rest as well as an absolute absence of psychological boundaries. Elements of Attraction Various studies have proven that meditating on a regular basis can ease apprehension, chronic pain, cholesterol, high blood pressure as well as the implementation of healthcare services. However, further studies are required. Several researchers find the value of meditation lessons defective and affirm that meditation is no more efficient compared to health edification in tackling most general health related problems. Meditation, both TM plus additional forms, is commonly secure for healthy individuals and may advance value of life. However, specialists concur that the mediation should not be implemented as the sole cure for any exact health state, or as a substitute of usual medical care. Goal of Salvation Transcendental meditation is neither a philosophy nor a belief. Additionally, it does not necessitate any lifestyle adjustments. However, differently from the meditation forms, TM method needs a seven-step routine of directions from a proficient instructor. A TM instructor provides common information regarding the method together with its consequences through a 1-hour introductory lecture. Subsequently, a lecture lasting for 45 minutes follows whereby information that is more precise is provided. Individuals with the interest of learning the procedure then attend an interview that would last for 10 to 15 minutes as well as one to two hours of individual lessons. Following a succinct ceremony, everyone is offered a mantra, which he or she require to confidentially keep. Heaven’s Gates People from this religious sect believe in extraterrestrials or UFO Millenarian group, which is, based in San Diego. Marshall Apple white who died in 1997 and Bonnie Nettles founded this sect in the 1970s whereby it was led. It was marred with controversies in 1997 after they committed mass suicide in the name of going to the space to reach out for Comet Hale Bopp. It is believed that the religious sect was inspired by the recovery of their founder from a heart attack. He perceived that the nurses that revived him were the two witnesses from the bible in the book of revelation. The two founding fathers of the sect started travelling around United States preaching about their belief system. Self Realization This was after they started a spiritual book store without success. They combined a new age Christianity belief together with the issues of the apocalypse to come up with the doctrine that built their church. This was also combined with different elements of science fiction that was embedded on other worlds and dimensions. The founders of the cult moved around the world with different aliases such as “Do and Ti” and “Bo and Peep. Before adopting the name Heaven Gates, they referred their movement as Human Individual Metamorphosis otherwise known as HIM. Marshall made people believe that he was related directly to Jesus terming it "Evolutionary Kingdom Level Above Human." Results of their Salvation The belief of the movement was that the earth was supposed to be recycled. They claimed that it was going to be refurbished, renewed, rejuvenated and wiped cleaned. Their interpretation of suicide was that someone is turning against moving to the next level as the opportunity is being offered. They saw the body they had to be the vessels they required to move throughout their journey. Death according to them was a form of being recycled. This meant that when one dies, he will go to another world as a different person. Conclusion Religion is a set of beliefs derived by elders in a particular society to influence the moral values necessary in the shaping of society and enforces the power of the supernatural being in stressing the rules. Religions are in a large sense founded upon a set of beliefs about the existence of Gods. They hold to different views on the nature and existence of a deity and the universe in itself. Scientology is a religion that dominates in this era that brings man to a state of total freedom and truth. This religion believes that human beings are immortal beings and that their experience extends even beyond a single lifetime. This religion encompasses a rich background of ceremonies, rites and passages with decisive principles developed towards bettering the lives of individuals. Transcendental meditation is all about individual from different religious background indulging in scientific therapy whereby they see themselves in being in a different world through meditation. This teaching is accorded to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who is a renowned scholar of the science of being and the art of living. People from heaven’s Gates believe in extraterrestrials or UFO Millenarian group which is based San Diego. Marshall Applewhite who died in 1997 and Bonnie Nettles founded this sect in the 1970s whereby it was led. Read More