Beyond Religion and the Secular: Creative Spiritual Movements and their Relevance to Political, Social and Cultural Reform

This book explores the creativity of six spiritual movements, including the Baháís, Soka Gakkai, Ananda Marga, and two controversial American churches, by challenging Enlightenment assumptions and revealing their practical responses to modernity. It also explores the utopian intentionality of their cultural productions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This volume employs a distinctive disaggregative approach to the study of 'religion', demonstrating that spiritual movements with extensive counterfactual beliefs have been far more creative than one might anticipate. Specifically, Wayne Hudson delves into the creativity of six spiritual movements: the Baháís, a Persian movement; Soka Gakkai, a Japanese movement; Ananda Marga and the Brahma Kumaris, two reformed Hindu movements; and two controversial American churches, The Church Universal and Triumphant and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Most of these movements exhibit counterintuitive characteristics that have prompted Western scholars to dismiss them as irrational and/or inconsequential. However, this book unveils that these movements have responded to modernity in innovative and practical ways, leading to a diverse array of social, educational, and cultural initiatives. Building upon research surrounding the ways in which spiritual movements engage in cultural productions, this book takes the international research in a new direction by examining the utopian intentionality that such cultural productions reveal.

The Baháís, a Persian movement, is characterized by its emphasis on the unity of all religions and its promotion of social and economic justice. Soka Gakkai, a Japanese movement, is known for its emphasis on personal growth and social service. Ananda Marga and the Brahma Kumaris, both reformed Hindu movements, focus on meditation and spiritual enlightenment.

The Church Universal and Triumphant and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, both controversial American churches, are known for their unique beliefs and practices. The Church Universal and Triumphant, founded by Helen Schucman, promotes a belief in the unity of all religions and the attainment of spiritual enlightenment through meditation. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on the other hand, is a Mormon church that emphasizes the importance of family, community, and personal faith.

Despite their differences, these spiritual movements have all responded to modernity in creative and practical ways. The Baháís, for example, have established a vast network of social and educational institutions around the world, promoting peace and social harmony. Soka Gakkai has developed a program of social service that includes environmental conservation and disaster relief efforts. Ananda Marga and the Brahma Kumaris have established meditation centers and schools that promote spiritual growth and social service.

The Church Universal and Triumphant and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have also responded to modernity in creative ways. The Church Universal and Triumphant has developed a program of spiritual healing that incorporates meditation and other spiritual practices. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has expanded its outreach efforts to include humanitarian aid and social service projects in developing countries.

In conclusion, this volume demonstrates that spiritual movements with extensive counterfactual beliefs have been far more creative than one might expect. By employing a distinctive disaggregative approach, this book reveals that these movements have responded to modernity in innovative and practical ways, leading to a wide range of social, educational, and cultural initiatives. By exploring the utopian intentionality that such cultural productions reveal, this book takes the international research in a new direction, contributing to our understanding of the role

of the role of religion in contemporary society.

Weight: 334g
Dimension: 163 x 240 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350331716