Resources and Information regarding New Religious Movements

In this section you will find documents prepared by the Churches regarding New Religious Movements, and other resources.

Information and advice is also available from the Information Network Focus On Religious Movements (INFORM)

INFORM

London School of Economics

Houghton Street

London WC2A 2AE

Tel: 020 7955 7654

Fax: 020 7955 7679

Email: inform@lse.ac.uk

Church of England Resources

The Church of England in relation to New Religious Movements and Alternative Spiritualities can be downloaded here.

For a list of suggested reading and other resources please click here.

For advice about letting groups hire church halls and such like and advice for families affected by New Religious Movement issues please click here.

Dr Anne Richards
National Adviser: mission theology, alternative spiritualities and new religious movements
Mission and Public Affairs,

Archbishops' Council,

Church of England
Church House
Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3AZ

Tel: 020 7898 1444

Catholic Resources

The most significant text is “Jesus Christ the Bearer of the Water of Life A Christian Reflection on the ‘New Age’”, published by the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue which can be downloaded from the Vatican website by clicking here

Hard copies are available from the Catholic Truth Society which explains the document as follows:

This document traces the development of the New Age movement from its penetrations into Western culture at Woodstock, to today’s widespread acceptance of many elements of New Age Spirituality. The text defines key terms and elements of the New Age movement and explores its roots in Eastern religions, esotericism and the occult. These are contrasted with the truths of Christianity and God as revealed by Jesus Christ. Pastoral advice is given for an effective dialogue with and evangelisation of people already influenced by the New Age

Methodist Church Resources

The Methodist Church's 1994 Report The New Age Movement is on pp 244-269 of the “Statements and Reports of the Methodist Church on Faith and Order, Volume Two (1984-2000), Part Two”.

Chapter Headings:

Part 1I Characteristics and Origins of the New Age Movement

Part 2 New Age Perceptions of Creation: a Christian Response

Part 3 Humankind, Salvation and the Person of Christ: a Christian Response

Part 4 Missiological and Pastoral Questions Raised by the New Age Movement

Part 5 Concluding Reflections

Resolution