Religious Movements People React Eslpod Similar Beliefs Groups

The term "new religious "movements" (groups of people with similar beliefs and similar goals)" describes groups of people who have recently begun to "differ" (be different from) other religions and "break away from" (are no longer affiliated or connected with) more traditional religions. The definition of "new religious movements" is "vague" (unclear), and many governments, churches, and individuals struggle to decide how to react to new religious movements.

Many people and institutions react to new religious movements out of fear. They "fear" (are afraid that) the groups represent dangerous cults that will "warp" (change in a bad way) young people's minds and separate people from their friends and loved ones. Sometimes this fear is "justified" (rational; having a logical basis), but sometimes it is not.

Other people react to new religious movements with "curiosity" (wanting to know more). They consider the possibility that the new religious movement may have something new to teach about truth or life's purpose, so they learn as much as they can about it.

"Established" (with a long history and many members) churches often "perceive" (consider) new religious movements to be a threat to their existence. If the new religious movement is attractive to many of a church's "adherents" (people who follow a set of beliefs), the church "risks" (faces the danger of) losing members. The new religious movement may disagree with a "major" (very important) tenent of the church, in which case the church may have to defend its beliefs and teachings.

Some new religious movements "fade away" (become less important and disappear) over time, but others "gain traction" (become popular and increase in power) and eventually become established denominations.