An introduction to religious and spiritual experience

New Religious Movements
The term New Religious Movement covers a wide range of organiza-
tions. Often born of a reaction to entrenched, formal religion, but not 
repudiating it entirely, or from a fusion of two or more religions, these 
religious movements are not usually entirely new. In many parts of the 
world, under colonialism, religions were imposed on indigenous peoples. 
Later a fusion of the original spiritual tradition and the imported one 
resulted in the creation of New Religious Movements.
New Age Movements
New Age Movements arose in the West through a fascination with 
the religions of the East, meditation and yoga and in the counter-culture 
of the 1960s. Adherents eschew formal, hierarchical religion preferring 
direct experience and a creative spirituality. New Agers take elements 
from various traditions, often incorporating esoteric and paranormal 
trends, creating an eclectic fusion to suit themselves. More recently an 
interest in the occult and paganism has arisen, along with sessions of 
channelling, where contact with a deceased spiritual teacher or luminary 
is made and messages received. An interest in healing and shamanism 
is often part of this view and a holistic vision of the individual and of the 
planet is typical, often leading to specific dietary preferences and 
vegetarianism.
New Agers constitute a loose fellowship of individuals and small groups 
with a wide variety of interests and beliefs. Magazines abound and all 
over the country there are numerous courses and gatherings of all kinds 
of alternative spiritualities and holistic practices. New Age ceremonies are 
often held outside or at ancient spiritual sites. The internet provides a 
good linking mechanism for such movements.
Interfaith Movements
In recent years there has been a growth of interfaith dialogue between 
leaders and members of different faith traditions, with many different 

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Religious and Spiritual Experience
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organizations coming into being. Many major events in Britain, such as 
the Service of Remembrance on 11 November at the Cenotaph in London 
now routinely include the leaders of different religious traditions, who 
often know each other well, as their paths cross frequently these days. 
Co-operation between faith communities is a fact of life and often goes 
unreported.
The First World’s Parliament of Religions was held in Chicago in 1893. 
Four thousand people from all over the world gathered there, a colourful 
sight as the bright robes of different religious traditions mingled. Two 
further events were held there, in 1933 a gathering called the Second 
World Parliament of Religions was organized by the World Fellowship of 
Faiths. In 1993 there was a centennial celebration of the first Parliament. 
The Parliament of the World’s Religions then moved, to Cape Town, 
South Africa in 1999 and to Barcelona, Spain in 2004. At these events 
representatives of over a hundred different religions shared news, views 
and generally got to know each other in an atmosphere of joyful explora-
tion and harmony. The Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions 
plans the next Parliament in 2009 in Melbourne, Australia.
There are many interfaith organizations, some working internationally 
for peace, others at a local level on social projects, The World Congress 
of Faiths, The International Association for Religious Freedom, United 
Religions Initiative, Temple of Understanding, the Inter-Faith Network 
UK and the North American Interfaith Network to name but a few. 
Many hold conferences and organize discussion groups to explore 
each other’s beliefs and practices. The aim of them all is to promote 
dialogue and constructive efforts in mutual understanding and co-
operation at all levels of society. An overview of the movement is to be 
found in 
Faith and Interfaith
in a Global Age
by Marcus Braybrooke 
and his 
A Heart for the World
looks at the depressing world scenario of 
materialism, terrorism and environmental desecration and suggests an 
interfaith alternative. 
For some people, interfaith has become a faith in itself and Interfaith 
Ministers are now being ordained, to perform services of worship which 
are all-inclusive, blending insights from the major world traditions and 
embracing a generalised spirituality.