Human imagination has created a million ways to reach the divine saviour. However, we are only aware of the hegemonic presence of the major religions. For the rest, there exists a covert censorship.
Today, we aim to celebrate the diversities that exist with regard to spiritual expression across the world, regardless of the number of adherents these religions claim. Their unique belief systems and practices will keep you wondering about the complex metaphysics of spirituality itself.
1) Asatru
Asatru is the modern incarnation of the indigenous Germanic neopagan religion which developed in the United States from the 1970s. The word ‘Asatru’ literally translates as “faith in the gods”. True to its name, it is a polytheistic faith which primarily worships two families of gods, the Esir and the Vanir, but also has high regard for other minor gods and spirits of ancestors. Its adherents are known to abide by the following Nine Noble Virtues: Courage, Truth, Honour, Fidelity, Discipline, Hospitality, Industriousness, Self-Reliance and Perseverance. Followers usually live in small groups called Kindreds but the religion places utmost importance on individual spiritual experience. Anyone, regardless of gender, caste, class, creed, race, sexual orientation, is free to practice the religion. It does not force any particular universal practice system on its adherents, however certain commonalities in the practices among believers have become intrinsic to the religion.
2) Cheondoism
Cheondoism is a monotheistic 20th century Korean religious movement whose origin can be traced to the peasant rebellion of 1812. Essentially Confucian in origin, it also incorporates elements of Korean Shamanism. Literally translated as “Religion of the Heavenly Way”, Cheondoism believes that Heaven is the abode of highest moral values and justice. The more one develops their inner nature, the closer to Heaven they get. However, the idea of Heaven is less metaphysical in Cheondoism than it is in other religions. This religion believes that Heaven, or god-like presence, secures itself in each one of us. The earth can be made into a paradise if everyone puts equal emphasis on personal, spiritual and moral development along with social welfare. Cheondoism rejects the idea of an afterlife completely and a look at their values reveal how far it involves itself with developing the idea of a communist society. Cheondoism is probably the most overtly political religion to ever exist. The religion’s communist appeal has brought it millions of followers across North and South Korea.
3) Builders of Adytum (BOTA)
Builders of Adytum or BOTA is a modern school of the Western mystery tradition founded by Paul Foster Case. Based in Los Angeles, it is a registered non-profit tax exempt religious organization which believes that the Qabalah is the mystical source of both ancient Judaism and Christianity. Teaching primarily through correspondence, BOTA welcomes all provided they display mystical inclination. Most of BOTA’s teachings are based on astrology, meditation, occult tarot, esoteric psychology and the Qabalah. It has spread through greater parts of Australia, New Zealand, Europe and America.
4) Cao Dai
Cao Dai is a Vietnamese monotheistic syncretic religion which is influenced by elements of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Catholicism, Islam, Judaism and Hinduism. It was officially established in 1926 in the city of Tay Ninh, Vietnam. “Cao Dai” literally is translated as “Highest Power” is the third largest religion in Vietnam after Buddhism and Catholicism. It claims millions of followers in the region and a few thousand outside Vietnam. The religion aims to unite humanity through the knowledge of the Supreme Being which is the source of faith or all religions in the world. Caodism seeks to spread peace, harmony and tolerance across the world. The religion also believes in reincarnation which, according to them, can be stopped by ‘cultivating self and finding God in self’.
5) Unification Church
Unification Church or Unificationism is a family-centric religious movement founded in South Korea by Sun Myung Moon in 1954. The religion perceives God as the creator whose intrinsic duality comprises of both masculinity and femininity which is the origin of all truth, goodness, beauty and at its center is love. The most important ritual of Unification is the mass weddings through which the religion aims to create “true families” which are sinless. This is how people can live in peace and happiness as God had intended them to be , throughout their lives. The sacred text of this religion is “Divine Principle” which is written by founder Moon and is followed by millions of people in East Asia.
6) Eckanker
Eckanker or the Ancient Science of Soul Travel is a monotheistic religion which was established by John Paul Twitchell in 1965. Eckanker believes that all religions are created by the ECK or the God. The source of authority for this religion is always the current living ECK Master. The religion has been heavily influenced by Hinduism and various other East Asian religions which preach that the liberation of the soul precludes reincarnation and unites one with divinity. Eckanker, quite controversially, denies Jesus Christ as the only spiritual saviour and believes that through the practice of Eckanker one can reach God in the easiest possible way. Through the chanting of mantras and by establishing contact with the spirit guides the adherents of the religion experience their spiritual life. The Eckanker is also known to use occult techniques for “spiritual unfoldment” of some of the disciples of ECK master.
7) Falun Gong
Falun Gong is a new religious movement which was founded by Li Honghzi in 1992 in Northeast China. The religion heavily draws upon Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, indigenous Chinese folklore traditions and also from those of Western New Age Movements. The religion uses physical exercises and meditation techniques to reach peace of mind and remain in good health. The religion sees these practices as essentially spiritual requiring ardent religious devotion from its adherents. However, claims by Li that aliens from outer space are destroying humanity and corrupting world leaders have been subject to widespread ridicule by both the Chinese government and the West. The religion was seen as a “cult” by the Chinese communist government especially due to its rapidly increasing numbers, its subversive teachings and the relative autonomy from the state apparatus it enjoyed. When in 1990, Many of the members of Falun Gong were jailed due to the passing of the new anti-cult law in China, some died in prison exposing the grave human rights abuses carried out by the Chinese government against members of the religion. However, it is often claimed that many still practice Falun Gong secretly and the religion enjoys spiritual space in over 70 countries across the world.
8) Mandaeism
Mandeism is a monotheistic religion of pre-Islamic origin which developed in the Middle East with a stronghold in Iraq. The violence of Islamic terror and war has drastically reduced the size of the Mandaeans. The religion is now practiced secretly and any information related to their practice comes from sources outside. Curiously enough, the Mandaeans believe revere Adam, Abel, Seth, Enosh, Noah, Shem, Aram, John the Baptist but reject Abraham, Moses and Jesus of Nazareth. They believe John the Baptist to be the most important prophet to teach Jesus Christ, trusting him to spread the message. However, Mandeans claim that Jesus Christ twisted the original message and hence refuse to regard him as a true prophet.
9) Candomblé
Candomblé, which orginated in different parts of Africa but developed mainly in Brazil, is primarily a syncretic religion with a mixture of traditional Yoruba, Fon and Bantu beliefs along with some aspects of Catholicism. The word Candomblé translates as “Dance in Honour of the Gods.” The religion became popular as enslaved African priests were brought in Brazil between 1549 and 1888. Adherents of the religion believe in an all powerful God called Oludumaré who is served by minor deities. These deities are known as orixas. Candomblé practitioners believe that every individual has their own orixa which influences their destiny and performs the role of a protector. Music and dance are important parts of Candomblé ceremonies. Followers believe specially choreographed dances will enable them to become possessed by the orixas. Unlike majority of the well-known religions in the world, there is no concept of good or bad in Candomblé. Candomblé is also a flexible religion in the absence of holy scriptures and relies heavily on oral traditions for its survival. Once secretly practiced, Condomblé now claims over two million followers.
10) Aetherius Society
In the mid-1950s George King claimed that he had come in contact with “Cosmic Masters” or extraterrestrial intelligences who were using him as the “Primary Terrestrial Mental Channel”. He formed the Aetherius Society, a UFO based religion in 1955 in the United Staes—which gradually spread through Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and different African nations—to “spread and act upon the teachings of advanced extraterrestrial intelligences.” The Society believes that the extraterrestrial beings having recognized the suffering of people on Earth have come forward to extend a helping hand and have also made many sacrifices towards making our world a better place. The religion’s motto is selfless service to others. It does not advocate that it is the only path to reach salvation or the divine but maintain that all religions are but mere expressions of the eternal Divine Source. Aetherius Society membership is limited to a few thousand which is spread across the UK, USA, New Zealand and Africa.
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