5 Religions You Did Not Know Existed

Religion is a human experience that is universal. Both cultures, past and present, have some kind of shared beliefs and behaviours connected to the supernatural (to some degree). Religion is paramount to their individual and collective identity, and an important element in how they live their lives for millions of people around the world. But not everyone accepts that for humanity this is best.

Posted On October 28th, 2020

Cao Dei

Elements of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and Catholicism are mixed in this Vietnamese faith. Established in 1926, it claims up to 6 million followers. Believers worship a large number of saints, including such notable figures as Pericles and Julius Caesar. In order to establish a more tolerant world, the diverse essence of Cao Dai complements its idealistic goal. Both humans are seen by believers as sharing a spiritual heritage. This religion's rituals are somewhat mysterious and originated from Taoist beliefs. Believers perform seances in addition to community prayer and complex ceremonial rituals.

Falun-Gong

Falun Gong, with around three million adherents, is a new religious group. It was founded by Li Hongzhi in 1992 in China. It blends elements of Buddhism with traditional Chinese mythology, Taoism and Confucianism. By meditation, Falun Gong helps to achieve mental and spiritual regeneration. To awaken their source of divine energy and rid themselves of physical and spiritual illnesses, adherents practise special exercises. The Chinese government has received extensive criticism of the religion, which initially saw the new cult as a threat. Outsiders also appear to mock Falun Gong's argument that world leaders are being exploited by antagonistic space aliens.

Eckankar

Eckankar was founded in 1965 by John Paul Twitchell from America. It is a monotheistic faith that worships "Eck," the holy spirit. In its belief that the soul is continually reincarnated before it reaches eternal salvation, Eckankar is similar to some Eastern religions. Religion teaches that, through special meditative techniques similar to yoga, spiritual development is only possible. The soul may leave the physical body through these rituals and enter the Sugmad, or spiritual sphere. A reunion with Eck results in the successful completion of one's spiritual journey.

Cheondoism

Cheondoism is a Korean religious movement of the 20th century that has its roots in a peasant uprising in 1812. Basically, Cheondoist theology is monotheistic, pantheistic, panentheistic. With elements derived from Christianity, Cheondoism is rooted in Korean shamanism and Korean Buddhism. In Communist North Korea, it has become so common that it is now the leading religion there. Religion claims that in each of us, God resides and that we should all aspire to make the world a paradise. It aims to turn the faithful with a strong social consciousness into intelligent moral beings.

Shintoism

Shinto is a polytheistic form of belief involving the veneration, known as kami, or sometimes as jingi, of several deities. As is often the case in the Japanese language, there is no distinction here between singular and plural, so both individual kami and the collective group of kami are referred to by the word kami.