A Brief Guide to Secret Religions

Author: David V. Barrett
Publisher: Robinson
ISBN: 1849018111
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 291

Book Description
This wide-ranging book explores the diversity of esoteric and occult beliefs. Neo-Paganism is one of the fastest-growing new religions in the western world where witchcraft or Wicca, Druidry, and Urban Shamanism are thriving. Alongside this there has been an upsurge in New Age ideas of an even wider variety, including astrology, Tarot, numerology, and many others. And then there are members of various schools of occult science, practising High Magic. Why this new interest in old beliefs? Why are millions of educated people today abandoning both the established religion of their parents and 21st century scientific rationalism and turning to magic and esoteric teachings? In their search for spirituality those who follow these paths claim to be applying ancient wisdom to the modern world. The Brief History of Secret Religions, a companion book to The Brief History of Secret Societies, looks at the history and variety of these esoteric movements, where they came from and what they tell us about the world today. Praise for The New Believers: 'an excellent guide to fringe religions that juxtaposes "respectable" movements and those conventionally dismissed as cults.' The Telegraph. 'no-nonsense, comprehensive survey packed with non-judgmental information about the beliefs, aims and activities of such movements. Daily Mail.

A Guide to Cults & New Religions

Author:
Publisher: IVP Books
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 222

Book Description
MacCollam -- Evaluating cults and new religions / LaVonne Neff.

World Religions in a Nutshell

Author: Ray Comfort
Publisher: Bridge Logos Foundation
ISBN: 9780882706696
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 212

Book Description
You are on CNN, live. The host leans across to you and asks, What s the major difference between Christianity and the other major religions? They are basically all the same, aren t they? Millions are awaiting your reply. Do you know how you would answer? Most of us are not as prepared as we should be for this all-important task. Discover what almost all religions have in common: By trying to earn their way to Heaven, their followers are robed in works-righteousness. Learn how to gently remove that robe, so those seeking eternal salvation can be clothed in the righteousness that comes only through faith in Jesus Christ. Each religion is discussed according to: It s basic beliefs Testimonies of its followers who turned to Christ Sample witnessing conversation.

Hidden Wisdom

Author: Gedaliahu A. Guy Stroumsa
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004136355
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 230

Book Description
This book investigates the problem of esoteric traditions in early Christianity, their origin and their transformation in Patristic hermeneutics, in the West as well as in the East. It argues that these traditions eventually formed the basis of nascent Christian mysticism in Late Antiquity. These esoteric traditions do not reflect the influence of Greek Mystery religions, as has often been claimed, but rather seem to stem from the Jewish background of Christianity. They were adopted by various Gnostic teachings, a fact which helps explaining their eventual disappearance from Patristic literature. The eleven chapters study each a different aspect of the problem, including the questions of Gnostic and Manichaean esotericism. This book will be of interest to all students of religious history in Late Antiquity. Revised and extended paperback edition. Originally published in 1996. Please click here for details.

HarperCollins Concise Guide to World Religions

Author: Mircea Eliade
Publisher: HarperOne
ISBN: 9780060621513
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 320

Book Description
The definitive dictionary of the world's religions, compiled by two of the 20th century's most distinguished religion scholars. This highly accessible resource distils Mircea Eliade's lifework of detailing and comparing humanity's entire religious heritage, providing fascinating insights into the character and worldview of the 33 principal religions. Including Buddhism, Christianity, Jainism, Judaism, Islam, Shinto, Shamanism, Taoism, South American religions, Baltic and Slavic religions, Confucianism, and the religions of Africa and Oceania, The HarperCollins Concise Guide to World Religions covers all kinds of religious figures, histories, sacred texts, mythologies, and mystical techniques.

The Secret Language of the Soul

Author: Jane Hope
Publisher: Chronicle Books
ISBN: 9780811818612
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 184

Book Description
This latest in the Secret Language series is an inspiring survey of faith and ritual through the ages, from Native American vision quests to chakras, avatar, and archangels. Original and ancient artworks depict some of the most profound and compelling images ever devised. This richly illustrated volume is an inviting universal guide to the realm of the divine. Over 200 full-color illustrations.

Secret New York

Author: T. M. Rives
Publisher: Secret
ISBN: 9782361950248
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
Admire an amazing apocalyptic pillar in a church, relax in secret gardens, view the New York version of Barcelona's Sagrada Familia, visit a secret subway tunnel, watch the stars through a university telescope, track down a statue of Lenin, have your skirts billow up at the very same grating as Marilyn Monroe, gaze at a roomful of dirt, find a Venetian palazzo above a former stable, spot the forbidden island that was once declared a sovereign nation by a guy in a rowboat, track down a townhouse concealing a subway tunnel, walk under the canopy of the primeval forest, read a memorial plaque to an event that happened in another dimension, fall into a trance before a piece of subway art that flickers and moves, have your bicycle blessed in church. New York offers endless opportunity to step off the program and peer into the city's fascinating past and present. "Secret New York An Unusual Guide" is an indispensible resource for those who thought they already knew everything about America's metropolis, or want to begin exploring it hidden places.

Secret Societies

Author: David V. Barrett
Publisher: Blandford Press
ISBN: 9780713727722
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 256

Book Description
For most people, belonging to a special, limited group has an irresistible appeal. Uncover the secrets of clandestine societies throughout history, from the ancient Mediterranean civilizations to such familiar associations as the Mafia and the Ku Klux Klan. Dozens of circles come under scrutiny in this revealing study: the Zoroastrians, who may have created the first significant monotheistic religion; the Rosicrucians, a brotherhood that condemned astrology, and other "occult" arts; and the Freemasons, who refuse to divulge their rituals. Precisely because of their closed nature, suspicion greeted these organizations. An examination of witch hunts vividly demonstrates tragic results of public prejudice and fear, while the Chinese Triads and Nazi occult societies reveal the dar more dangerous side of secret groups.

Mystery Cults of the Ancient World

Author: Hugh Bowden
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 266

Book Description
A richly illustrated history of antiquity's secret religious rituals This is the first book to describe and explain all of the ancient world's major mystery cults--one of the most intriguing but least understood aspects of Greek and Roman religion. In the nocturnal Mysteries at Eleusis, participants dramatically re-enacted the story of Demeter's loss and recovery of her daughter Persephone; in the Bacchic cult, bands of women ran wild in the Greek countryside to honor Dionysus; and in the mysteries of Mithras, men came to understand the nature of the universe and their place within it through frightening initiation ceremonies and astrological teachings. These cults were an important part of life in the ancient Mediterranean world, but their actual practices were shrouded in secrecy, and many of their features have remained unclear until now. By richly illustrating the evidence from ancient art and archaeology, and drawing on enlightening new work in the anthropology and cognitive science of religion, Mystery Cults of the Ancient World allows readers to imagine as never before what it was like to take part in these ecstatic and life-changing religious rituals--and what they meant to those who participated in them. Stunning images of Greek painted pottery, Roman frescoes, inscribed gold tablets from Greek and South Italian tombs, and excavated remains of religious sanctuaries help show what participants in these initiatory cults actually did and experienced. A fresh and accessible introduction to a fascinating subject, this is a book that will interest general readers, as well as students and scholars of classics and religion.

Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions

Author: John Ankerberg
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 802

Book Description
"Brief synopses of more than 30 influential groups, including the Integral Yoga Institute, Tibetan Buddhism, and the Human Potential movement, are also covered. Each major group is contrasted with traditional biblical teachings for easy comparison and study. Straightforward organization and clearly marked sections make [this book] easy to use. Other helpful features include: brief summaries of basic tenants and sources of authority; helpful charts for quick reference; an in-depth doctrinal appendix for further study..." -- BACK COVER.