Examine some of the problems involved in identifying the characteristics of New Religious Movements.

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Examine some of the problems involved in identifying the characteristics of New Religious Movements.

It often can be hard defining the characteristics of New Religious Movements because they vary so greatly. Wallis provides a typology of New Religious Movements, which he says they all fit into. The first category is World Rejecting movements, which are highly critical of the outside world and often have limited contact; they are institutions that control ever aspect of the member's lives and members have to give up their normal life. World Rejecting Movements are usually sects and include movements like Krishna and Children of God. The next typology Willis provided was World-accommodating or denominations that usually are offshoots of churches. The aim of these organizations is not to create a new society, but to change views. The members are not required to change their lifestyle. The final typology of Willis' is World affirming, which are generally cults. These movements may not have a 'church' but do claim to be able to provide access to spiritual powers, also accepts the world does not have one religion and is not exclusive. World-affirming organizations do not try to convert people but instead sell a service and also