1. Defining New Religious Movements (NRMs) is a difficult task.
NRMs are religious or spiritual groups that emerge—often through charismatic leadership and sometimes through syncretic practices—and offer novel teachings, structures, or worldviews. Though some NRMs have amassed millions of adherents and built global institutions, they are still considered “new” in contrast to long-standing world religions like Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, or Buddhism. These groups can be either completely new religions or branches of pre-existing major world religions. For example, the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) both emerged from Christian contexts, though their doctrines diverge substantially from biblical Christianity. In the past, such groups were often labeled “cults.” Today, however, scholars prefer the more neutral designation “new religious movements.”
2. NRMs are a global phenomenon.
While many of the largest NRMs founded in recent decades have been offshoots of Christianity based in the United States, they are by no means merely a Western phenomenon. Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America have all witnessed the emergence of new religious traditions. The Bahá’í Faith, for example—an offshoot of Islam—was established in the Middle East; Caodaism, a syncretic religion drawing on Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Vietnamese folk traditions, arose in Vietnam; and Falun Gong, influenced by Buddhism, Daoism, and Qigong, originated in China.
3. NRMs can be understood by types.
The late sociologist Roy Wallis suggested that NRMs generally fall into one of three different categories: world-rejecting, world-affirming, and world-accommodating. World-rejecting groups, which tend to be cults in the traditional sense, view the world as corrupt or evil and seek to isolate themselves. World-affirming groups, on the other hand, do not view the world as fully reprobate or evil; rather, they view humanity as suppressed and believe that humans can be liberated through certain techniques or trainings espoused by the group. World-accommodating groups neither fully reject the world nor affirm it but instead occupy a middle ground. They often argue that people are missing something in their lives, a predicament that can only be fulfilled through a deeper spiritual experience. As Christians, understanding how an NRM views itself in relation to the world can assist in contextualizing and presenting the gospel.
As Christians, understanding how an NRM views itself in relation to the world can assist in contextualizing and presenting the gospel.
4. NRMs often target the vulnerable.
Sociologists John Lofland and Rodney Stark developed a framework for understanding how and why people join NRMs. The process often begins with tensions or struggles that individuals interpret through a religious lens, leading them to see themselves as seekers. At a critical turning point in life, they may encounter a group and establish meaningful bonds with its members. Gradually, they loosen ties to outside relationships and spend increasing amounts of time with fellow converts. While not all NRMs employ manipulative methods to attract followers, some do, which helps explain both their appeal and the controversies surrounding them.
5. Some NRMs have amassed millions of adherents.
The largest and most influential NRMs today include the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Bahá’í faith, Falun Gong, and Modern Paganism. Each of these movements has attracted millions of followers and continues to shape religious life in different parts of the world. Mormons, for example, report over 17 million members and sustain a global missionary program. Jehovah’s Witnesses, meanwhile, count nine million active adherents, supported largely by their door-to-door evangelism. While Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses broadcast their membership data publicly, tracking exact numbers for many NRMs can be difficult due to informal membership, secrecy in some groups, and varying methods for counting active versus nominal participants.
6. NRMs often have sacred texts.
Many NRMs have either sacred scriptures or foundational writings that accompany them. For example, the Jehovah’s Witnesses use their own translation of the Bible, the New World Translation; Mormons have The Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price, and Doctrine and Covenants; and the Bahá’í rely on the writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Not every NRM adheres to or follows sacred literature, however. Eclectic Wiccans, some prophetic movements, and many Doomsday cults place a higher value on ritual, oral tradition, and secret knowledge as opposed to a single authoritative text.
7. Narratives give shape to NRM practices.
Similar to how the story of Christ’s life, death, burial, and resurrection shapes our Christian worldview and worship, NRMs develop their own defining narratives. These stories are often used to explain the origin of the group, the meaning of life, and the path to salvation or enlightenment. Mormons, for example, tell of an ancient American people with their own prophets and history, a narrative that, for adherents, legitimizes the message of Joseph Smith. Likewise, Scientology links human origins to what it calls “thetans”—immortal spiritual beings believed to be trapped within people—and teaches that only through the church’s training can individuals achieve true freedom. Narratives provide a powerful way of contextualizing sources of beliefs and practices.
8. NRMs often strive to appear mainstream.
Contrary to the popular stereotype of cults as secretive groups cut off from the world, many NRMs actively work to integrate into society and present a mainstream image to attract new members. Scientology, for example—with its esoteric origin stories—strategically uses terms like “technology,” “stress relief,” and “self-help” to make its teachings more accessible, revealing deeper theological beliefs only to those farther along in their commitment. Similarly, Mormonism, while holding controversial doctrines such as the potential for humans to achieve godhood and rule their own planets, also presents itself as a family-centered, community-oriented faith. Over time, it has become a highly visible and influential part of the American religious landscape, often perceived as a mainstream Christian denomination rather than an NRM.
9. Leaving an NRM can be remarkably difficult.
For many involved in an NRM, leaving the group can result in social alienation, fear, and emotional trauma. Some groups actively discourage or even punish dissent, using tactics such as shunning, guilt, or fear of divine retribution. In fact, some NRMs have taken this threat to the extreme by trying to physically stop people from leaving their ranks. Legal cases have been brought against multiple NRMs in the US for this very reason. For individuals born into NRMs, the entire framework of their reality is tied to the group. Leaving is not just a change of belief—it can feel like losing one’s family, community, and identity.
10. The gospel provides hope to those involved in NRMs.
The rise of NRMs reminds us of the spiritual hunger that exists in every human heart—a hunger that false teachings can never truly satisfy. While NRMs may offer community, moral teaching, or mystical experiences, they cannot reconcile sinners to a holy God. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ, rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of the Son of God, can bring lasting peace, forgiveness, and hope. The Church embodies the gospel, creating a community of redeemed sinners who strive for unity and love amidst diversity, offering purpose and belonging in everyday life. As believers, we stand firmly on the unchanging truth of Scripture and the sufficiency of Christ. Let us be ready to give an answer for the hope within us (1 Peter 3:15), especially to those seeking truth in the shadows of New Religious Movements.
