World Religions & ENG 101 Research Project

Scrutinizing the literature of a modern religious movement this article argues that postcolonial theory can effectively be brought to the analysis of religions and religious writing. The case study focuses on the way in which colonialism impacted the Bahai faith in a specific and formative way, causing its leadership to present aspects of the faith’s development by employing the codes of Western Orientalism. Drawing on nineteenth and early twentieth-century European orientalist texts composed either about their own faith, or the Islamic society out of which it grew, the article demonstrates how these led Bahais “themselves [to]… adopt [..] an essentially Orientalist vision of their own community and of Iranian society”. Edward Said’s Orientalism throws light on an enduring situation in which mutual othering has crossed from culture and religion into politics, however since the late 1990s critics have demonstrated that Orientalism can function in more varied ways than Said allowed. Finally, the possibility is discussed as to whether there can be such a thing as a postcolonial Bahai scholar.

For more than three decades, The Journal of Bahá’í Studies has been publishing articles offering the perspectives of scholars from diverse academic disciplines, correlating the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith to the needs of humanity. Peer review and editorial standards that aspire to foster excellence make it the central outlet for Bahá’í scholarship in North America. The journal welcomes submissions from scholars around the world who wish to demonstrate relationships between their research and Bahá'í principles and teachings.

Founded by Bahá'u'llah in Iran in the 19th century, the Bahá'í Faith is one of the youngest of the world's major religions. Though it has over 5 million followers worldwide, it is still little understood outside of its own community. The Bahá'í Faith: A Guide for the Perplexed explores the utopian vision of the Bahá'í Faith including its principles for personal spiritual transformation and for the construction of spiritualized marriages, families, Baha'í; communities, and, ultimately, a spiritual world civilization. Aimed at students seeking a thorough understanding of this increasingly studied religion, this book is the ideal companion to studying and understanding the Bahá'í Faith, its teachings and the history of its development.

Baha'i Faith: The Basics provides a thorough and accessible introduction to a fascinating independent, world religion. Examining its historical development, current "community-building" efforts and the social contributions of the Baha'i Faith in the world today, this introduction covers: Beliefs: Baha'i spiritual teachings Principles: Baha'i social teachings History: Baha'u'llah and his covenant Scripture: Baha'i sacred texts and inspired guidance Institutions: the Baha'i administrative order Building community: what Baha'is do Social action: Baha'i social and economic development projects Public discourse: the Baha'i International Community Vision: foundations for a future Golden Age With features including a glossary of terms, and references to the Baha'i writings throughout, this is the ideal text for students and interested readers wanting to familiarise themselves with the Baha'i Faith.

Most widely known for its adherents chanting “Hare Krishna” and distributing religious literature on the streets of American cities, the Hare Krishna movement was founded in New York City in 1965 by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Formally known as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, or ISKCON, it is based on the Hindu Vedic scriptures and is a Western outgrowth of a popular yoga tradition which began in the 16th century. In its first generation ISKCON actively deterred marriage and the nuclear family, denigrated women, and viewed the raising of children as a distraction from devotees' spiritual responsibilities. Yet since the death of its founder in 1977, there has been a growing women’s rights movement and also a highly publicized child abuse scandal. Most strikingly, this movement has transformed into one that now embraces the nuclear family and is more accepting of both women and children, steps taken out of necessity to sustain itself as a religious movement into the next generation. At the same time, it is now struggling to contend with the consequences of its recent outreach into the India-born American Hindu community. Based on three decades of in-depth research and participant observation, Hare Krishna Transformed explores dramatic changes in this new religious movement over the course of two generations from its founding.

This comprehensive study includes more than twenty contributions from members, ex-members, and academics who have followed the Hare Krishna movement for years. Providing a privileged look at the people and issues shaping ISKCON, this volume offers insight into the complex factors surrounding the emergence of religious traditions, including early Christianity, as well as a glimpse at the origins and growth of a religious tradition putting down roots in foreign soil.

Hare Krishna Ghosh, the only living son of Paramhansa Yogananda's brother, Sananda Lal Ghosh, was born in Calcutta at 4 Garpar Road, where Yogananda lived from the time he was 12 until he met his guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar. After ten years of training in his guru's hermitage, Yogananda left India for America in 1920 to begin his life's mission: demonstrating to truth seekers around the world the essential oneness of the religions of East and West. In 1935 Yogananda returned to India to be reunited for a time with his guru, his beloved father and other family members, and his friends and disciples. It was during this visit that Hare Krishna, age 15, met him for the first time. That meeting, and the subsequent months spent with the master, changed Hare Krishna's life forever. We met Hare Krishna and his wife, Anjali, on our first pilgrimage to India in 1986, when they graciously hosted us in their home. It was our pleasure then also to meet their son, Somnath, and their daughter, Papia, both of whom are married and have children of their own. On first entering the house where our guru lived and where, he later stated, "I found God," we could feel his vibrations everywhere-as a small boy running up and down the staircases, laughing and playing pranks on his sisters and brothers; as a young man diving deeper and deeper into God-communion; as an avatar for this age. For any of you who find yourselves longing to go to India to experience Yogananda's presence there, we highly recommend that you go to Hare Krishna's home at 4 Garpar Road. Their doors are always open: for meditating in Yogananda's attic room, talking with the family, or just quietly soaking in the spiritual vibrations that are felt throughout the house. In the following pages Hare Krishna has very beautifully described many of his experiences with Yogananda, in his unique relationship to him as uncle and guru. We hope that you will find the same inspiration and joy we have felt in reading these glimpses into Yogananda's life, and into the deep effect he had on all those around him

Combining behind-the-scenes coverage of an often besieged religious group with a personal account of one woman's struggle to find meaning in it, Betrayal of the Spirit takes readers to the center of life in the Hare Krishna movement.

Nori J. Muster joined the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)--the Hare Krishnas--in 1978, shortly after the death of the movement's spiritual master, and worked for ten years as a public relations secretary and editor of the organization's newspaper, the ISKCON World Review. In this candid and critical account, Muster follows the inner workings of the movement and the Hare Krishnas' progressive decline.

Combining personal reminiscences, published articles, and internal documents, Betrayal of the Spirit details the scandals that beset the Krishnas--drug dealing, weapons stockpiling, deceptive fundraising, child abuse, and murder within ISKCON–as well as the dynamics of schisms that forced some 95 percent of the group's original members to leave. In the midst of this institutional disarray, Muster continued her personal search for truth and religious meaning as an ISKCON member until, disillusioned at last with the movement's internal divisions, she quit her job and left the organization.

Jainism is arguably the most non-violent and austere religion in the world. While lay Jains attempt to never harm humans or animals, the strict non-violence followed by the highly revered monks and nuns also proscribes harm to any living being, even a microscopic organism. And while laywomen (and a few laymen) undergo long and difficult fasts, the longest being for one month, renouncers' austerities also include pulling their hair out by the roots two to five times a year, walking bare-foot throughout India most of the year, and, in the case of some monks, not wearing any clothing at all. Jainism: A Guide for the Perplexed is a clear and thorough account of this fascinating tradition, explaining many basic Jain values, beliefs and practices in the same way they are taught to Jains themselves, through the medium of sacred narratives. Drawing from Jainism's copious and influential narrative tradition, the author explores the inner-logic of how renouncers' and laypeople's values and practices depend on an intricate Jain worldview.

This book is an exploration into the paradoxical structure of pluralistic thinking as illuminated by both Western and Eastern insights--especially Jainism. By calling into question the most fundamental assumptions of religious pluralists, the author hopes to contribute to a paradigm shift in discourse on religious pluralism and conflicting truth claims.

Covers the history of Jainism that spans a period of more than 2,500 years. The history, values, concepts and scriptures, eminent mendicant and lay leaders and scholars, places, institutions, and social and cultural factors are covered in over 600 dictionary entries. This comprehensive reference work also includes an introductory essay, explanation of the Jain scriptures, chronology, appendices, bibliography, and an 8-page black-and-white photo spread.

The A to Z of Jainism covers the history of Jainism that spans a period of more than 2,500 years. The history, values, concepts, and scriptures; eminent mendicant, lay leaders, and scholars; and places, institutions, social, and cultural factors are covered in over 450 dictionary entries. This comprehensive reference work also includes an introductory essay, explanation of the Jain scriptures, chronology, appendixes, and bibliography. This book provides an excellent introduction and overview to Jainism for scholars, students, and general readers.

This is the first major study of the enigmatic religious society. By examining the Jehovah's Witnesses' dramatic recent expansion, Andrew Holden reveals the dependency of their quasi-totalitarian movement on the physical and cultural resources have brought about the privatization of religion, the erosion of community, and the separation of 'fact' from faith.

The theme of prophecy, the doctrine of the 144,000, end-time calculations, Armageddon, and the Witnesses' denial of hell are all considered in The A to Z of Jehovah's Witnesses, which contains a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and 250 cross-referenced dictionary entries relating to key people and concepts.

Through qualitative research this study addresses the inadequate amount of research investigating the educational identity formation of individuals who are raised as Jehovah's Witnesses (JW). Narratives from semi-structured interviews suggest participants negotiated multiple identities in multiple frames-their identity as religious members and their personal educational identity in their secular education. Individuals whose parents subscribed to the religion's notion that higher education was unnecessary and detrimental, formed educational identities that rejected their talents, suppressed their motivation, and foreclosed opportunities for autonomy and self-satisfaction in personal goal setting and career selection.

The history of Jehovah's Witnesses in Europe has always been one of persecution. This third volume documents this history, turning eastward. For the first time, the circumstances of a religious minority under different political systems can be compared across the continent. The studies gathered here provide insight into the methods of repression used by governments and mainstream churches, the survival strategies of Jehovah's Witnesses, and their various experiences under Eastern European dictatorships. The initially cordial relationship with Jehovah's Witnesses that developed after 1990 has steadily reverted to religious discrimination, culminating in Russia's renewed ban of Jehovah's Witnesses in 2017 and the confiscation of their properties. By violating the universal human right of religious freedom, the same conditions that prevailed in the Soviet era have now returned to "modern" Russia: With severest discrimination and abusing jurisdictional procedures to reach their political aspirations, the State tries to crush a religious community. Against this background, it is all the more important not to turn a blind eye to the situation of religious minorities in Eastern Europe, but instead to take an honest public stance against it.

Beginning with a handful of members in 1830, the church that Joseph Smith founded has grown into a world-wide organization with over 12 million adherents, playing prominent roles in politics, sports, entertainment, and business. Yet they are an oddity. They are considered wholesome, conservative, and friendly on one hand, and clannish, weird, and self-righteous on the other. Mormonism: A Very Short Introduction explains who Mormons are: what they believe and how they live their lives. Written by Richard Lyman Bushman, an eminent historian and practicing Mormon, this compact, informative volume ranges from the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the contentious issues of contemporary Mormonism. Bushman argues that Joseph Smith still serves as the Mormons' Moses. Their everyday religious lives are still rooted in his conceptions of true Christianity. They seek revelation to solve life's problems just as he did. They believe the authority to seal families together for eternity was restored through him. They understand their lives as part of a spiritual journey that started in a "council in heaven" before the world began just as he taught. Bushman's account also describes the tensions and sorrows of Mormon life

1. A brief history of Mormons -- 2. Are Mormons Christian? Why does it matter? : Mormonism and religious pluralism -- 3. Building God's kingdom : Mormons and church-state relations -- 4. Mormons and sex : gender, sexuality, and family -- 5. The shape of a Mormon life : ritual and regulation -- 6. Making holy places : sacred space in Mormonism -- 7. Going global : Mormonism's international expansion.

What is it like to be a Mormon in America today? Melvyn Hammarberg attempts to answer this question in The Mormon Quest for Glory by offering an ethnography of contemporary Mormons.

The A to Z of Mormonism relates the history of the Mormon church through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on crucial persons, organizations, churches, beliefs, and events. Clearing up many of the misconceptions held about Mormonism and its members, this is an essential reference.

That the God of the Hebrew Bible and rabbinic literature, "the God of the Jews," is perfectly good is challenged by apparently immoral acts of that God, by contemporary standards, as well as by the classic problem of evil. In this book, Jerome Gellman aims to alleviate the first challenge, the so-called ideological critique, for the traditional believer by recommending replacing the God of the Jews with a different God, a "Jewish God," one in whom many traditional Jews have come to believe. And the problem of evil is lightened for the traditional believer, mainly by a possible theodicy explaining much evil. The book is at once analytic in style and Hasidic in broad orientation.

Hasidism, a Jewish religious movement that originated in Poland in the eighteenth century, today counts over 700,000 adherents, primarily in the U.S., Israel, and the UK. Popular and scholarly interest in Hasidic Judaism and Hasidic Jews is growing, but there is no textbook dedicated to research methods in the field, nor sources for the history of Hasidism have been properly recognized. Studying Hasidism, edited by Marcin Wodzinski, an internationally recognized historian of Hasidism, aims to remedy this gap. The work's thirteen chapters each draws upon a set of different sources, many of them previously untapped, including folklore, music, big data, and material culture to demonstrate what is still to be achieved in the study of Hasidism. Ultimately, this textbook presents research methods that can decentralize the role community leaders play in the current literature and reclaim the everyday lives of Hasidic Jews.

Hasidism, a movement many believed had passed its golden age, has had an extraordinary revival since it was nearly decimated in the Holocaust and repressed in the Soviet Union. Hasidic communities, now settled primarily in North America and Israel, have reversed the losses they suffered and are growing exponentially. With powerful attachments to the past, mysticism, community, tradition, and charismatic leadership, Hasidism seems the opposite of contemporary Western culture, yet it has thrived in the democratic countries and culture of the West. How? Who Will Lead Us? finds the answers to this question in the fascinating story of five contemporary Hasidic dynasties and their handling of the delicate issue of leadership and succession. Revolving around the central figure of the rebbe, the book explores two dynasties with too few successors, two with too many successors, and one that believes their last rebbe continues to lead them even after his death. Samuel C. Heilman, recognized as a foremost expert on modern Jewish Orthodoxy, here provides outsiders with the essential guide to continuity in the Hasidic world.

'Hasidism Incarnate' argues that much of modern Judaism in the west developed under what it calls a 'Christian gaze', that is, reacting to Christianity by defending Judaism, positing that Judaism is unlike Christianity. This is done, ironically, while modern Judaism is being constructed as quite similar to Christianity in terms of its ethos, aesthetics, and attitude toward ritual and faith. Hasidism, unlike Judaism in Western Europe, is not developing under a 'Christian gaze' and thus does not need to be apologetic of its positions.

pt. 1. An assessment of Rastafani in the new millennium -- pt. 2. The globalization of Rastafari -- pt. 3. Rastafari ideology, philosophy, and praxis -- pt. 4. Gender considerations in the Rastafari movement -- pt. 5. Religious considerations in the Rastafari movement -- pt. 6. Rastafari and reggae -- pt. 7. Political dimensions of the Rastafari movement.

The first comprehensive work on the origins of the Jamaica-based Rastafaris, including interviews with some of the earliest members of the movement. Rastafari is a valuable work with a rich historical and ethnographic approach that seeks to correct several misconceptions in existing literature—the true origin of dreadlocks for instance. It will interest religion scholars, historians, scholars of Black studies, and a general audience interested in the movement and how Rastafarians settled in other countries.

An inspiring collection of poems, meditations, and lyrics by one of the world's most revered musical legends Bob Marley's music defined a movement and forever changed a nation. Known worldwide for their message of peace and unity, Marley's songsfrom ';One Love' to ';Redemption Song' to ';Three Little Birds'have touched millions of lives. This collection is the best of Bob Marley presented in three parts: ';The Man,' giving an in-depth look into the life of Bob Marley; ';The Music,' comprising his most memorable lyrics as well as links to many of his songs in iTunes; and ';The Revolution,' containing his meditations on social equality and the Rastafari movement. Enriched with iconic photographs, Listen to Bob Marley provides insight into a reggae legend, the inspirational man behind the music. This ebook features an introduction by daughter Cedella Marley and an illustrated biography of Cedella including rare photographs from her personal collection.

Going far beyond the standard imagery of Rasta?ganja, reggae, and dreadlocks?this cultural history offers an uncensored vision of a movement with complex roots and the exceptional journey of a man who taught an enslaved people how to be proud and impose their culture on the world. In the 1920s Leonard Percival Howell and the First Rastas had a revelation concerning the divinity of Haile Selassie, king of Ethiopia, that established the vision for the most popular mystical movement of the 20th century, Rastafarianism. Although jailed, ridiculed, and treated as insane, Howell, also known as the G

"What is Scientology really? Behind the glossy logos and sleek advertisements and South Park parodies, what do Scientologists really believe and practice? Is it really a religion? Who was L. Ron Hubbard and why did he start it in the first place? Is their 'technology' for real or just so much New Age pseudoscience? Former insider Chris Shelton grew up in Scientology and worked for it for 25 years. This critical analysis covers the key aspects of its beliefs, practices and structure from the bottom to the top, including not just the confidential Xenu story but details all of the upper level scriptures. Chris goes into detail about what goes on inside Scientology churches, why their members get involved in the first place and what it takes to get out should someone decide to leave. An informative guide for anyone who has been involved with Scientology in the past as well as anyone who wants to understand what it's really all about."

Scientology is arguably the most persistently controversial of all contemporary New Religious Movements. The Church of Scientology has been involved in battles over tax issues, a ten-year conflict with the Food and Drug Administration, extended turmoil with a number of European governments, and has even been subjected to FBI raids in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. Negative publicity, however, has not prevented the Church from experiencing remarkably steady growth. Official national census figures indicate that the number of Scientologists grew significantly in Canada, New Zealand, and Aus

Although there has been relatively little scholarly research on Scientology apart from the remarkable works of Roy Wallis, Harriet Whitehead, James R. Lewis, and Hugh B. Urban, that is changing as indicated by the large number of submissions in response to the call for papers for the first international conference on Scientology held in Antwerpen-Wilrijke, Belgium, in 2014. The articles in this special issue of Nova Religio explore what appear to be peripheral aspects of Scientology in order to get at its core. This method of moving from the periphery to the center of this religious tradition and its institutions reflects the difficulty scholars still encounter in obtaining fundamental data relating to the Church of Scientology.

The Handbook of Scientology brings together a collection of fresh studies of the most persistently controversial of all contemporary New Religions. In recent years, increasing scholarly attention has been directed at the Church of Scientology, resulting in a small tsunami of new scholarship. We have finally reached a point in time where a book on Scientology need not restrict itself to basics. Thus, for example, the historical chapters in the present volume are not really aimed at providing elementary facts on Scientology’s background, but, rather, focus on understanding how the Church of Scientology developed over the years. In short, the Handbook of Scientology will provide a wealth of new information on a topic that one might otherwise have thought exhausted.

Helen Hardacre offers a sweeping, comprehensive history of Shinto, the tradition that is practiced by some 80 percent of the Japanese people and underlies the institution of the Emperor.

Presents a comprehensive collection of translated and foreign language texts on Shinto.
Contents; Guide to the Romanization of Japanese Words; Preface; Introduction; 1. Mythology and Classic Literature; 2. Early Historical and Liturgical Documents; 3. State Shinto and the Post-1945 Situation; 4. The Imperial Household and Shinto; 5. Sect Shinto and the New Religions; 6. Shinto Thought to the Meiji Restoration; 7. Early Modern Western Views of Shinto; 8. Early Modern Japanese Views of Shinto; 9. Contemporary Western Discussions of Shinto; 10. Contemporary Japanese Expositions of Shinto.

Shinto, the indigenous faith of the Japanese people, continues to fascinate and mystify both the casual visitor to Japan and the long-time resident. This introduction unveils Shinto's spiritual characteristics and discusses the architecture and function of Shinto shrines. Further examination of Shinto's lively festivals, worship, music, and sacred regalia illustrates Shinto's influence on all levels of Japanese life.Fifteen photographs, numerous drawings and Dr. Ono's text introduce the reader to two millenia of indigenous Japanese belief in the Kami - the sacred spirits worship

Shinto - A Short History provides an introductory outline of the historical development of Shinto from the ancient period of Japanese history until the present day. Shinto does not offer a readily identifiable set of teachings, rituals or beliefs; individual shrines and kami deities have led their own lives, not within the confines of a narrowly defined Shinto, but rather as participants in a religious field that included Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian and folk elements. Thus, this book approaches Shinto as a series of historical 'religious systems' rather than attempting to identify

As the least known of China's "Three Teachings"--The others being Buddhism and Confucianism - Taoism serves as a supplement and a corrective, as it has often done in the past. For this reason, it is enjoying ever greater appreciation around the world, especially in the West. Implicit and intuitive, the "Way" cannot be explained directly, but it can be intimated - as is done in this book." "The A to Z of Taoism starts with a detailed chronology of Taoism and its relationship to both China and other teachings, while the introduction expands on these ideas. The dictionary contains several hundred entries and provides a more detailed treatment of significant people, gods and demons, concepts, practices, rituals, scriptures, and schools. A comprehensive bibliography suggests further reading.

Religious Studies in Contemporary China Collection, Taoism gathers together English translations of seventeen articles originally published in the People’s Republic of China between 1947 and 2006, and republished together in 2008 as part of an edited volume of representative works in PRC Taoist studies. While only part of the volume edited by Professor Mou was selected for translation in the present project, the aim remains the same: showcasing representative works of Taoist studies in mainland China, including early articles that were widely influential although they may now be superseded in some aspects by more recent research. Most of the major scholars of Taoist studies in the PRC are represented in this anthology, and many of them have never had any of their work translated into any Western language before; it is hoped that the present volume will draw readers to their scholarship and inspire them to read their books and articles in Chinese.

Presents volume thirteen of a fourteen-volume series on World Religions exploring the origins of Taoism in China, its central beliefs and restoration under China's religious freedom clause, rituals, sacred sites, and more.

Summary: Daoism (sometimes spelled Taoism) is a philosophical and religious school of thought that originated in China around 300 BCE. It is usually associated with a semi-mythical figure, Laozi (sometimes spelled Lao-tse). The essential belief of Daoism is that the Dao, usually translated as "the Way," is an inevitable force that unifies everything in the universe, and that humans should strive to recognize and understand the nature of the Dao without trying to combat it.

The past century has born witness to a growing interest in the belief systems of ancient Europe, with an array of contemporary Pagan groups claiming to revive these old ways for the needs of the modern world. By far the largest and best known of these Paganisms has been Wicca, a new religious movement that can now count hundreds of thousands of adherents worldwide. Emerging from the occult milieu of mid twentieth-century Britain, Wicca was first presented as the survival of an ancient pre-Christian Witch-Cult, whose participants assembled in covens to venerate their Horned God and Mother Goddess, to celebrate seasonal festivities, and to cast spells by the light of the full moon. Spreading to North America, where it diversified under the impact of environmentalism, feminism, and the 1960s counter-culture, Wicca came to be presented as a Goddess-centred nature religion, in which form it was popularised by a number of best-selling authors and fictional television shows. Today, Wicca is a maturing religious movement replete with its own distinct world-view, unique culture, and internal divisions.

A text on the academic study of contemporary wicca and paganism throughout the world.

This fascinating and informative source covers the history of witchcraft in the United States from the hysteria that facilitated the witch hunts during the colonial period to modern day followers of Wicca.

A great deal has been written about the history of witchcraft, but much of what has been written is unreliable, exaggerated, or inaccurate. This problem is especially acute in regard to modern witchcraft, or Wicca, and its supposed connections to historical witchcraft in medieval and early modern Europe. The A to Z of Witchcraft provides a reliable reference source for both academics and general readers interested in the actual historical development of witchcraft in the western world.