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Alternative spirituality and new religious movements (nrms)

Boundaries not barriers. Alternative spirituality and new religious movements (nrms). The Church of England and other faiths. National Policies. Inter faith policy and new religions/new spirituality policy are different at NATIONAL level in the Church of England

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Alternative spirituality and new religious movements (nrms)

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  1. Boundaries not barriers Alternative spirituality and new religious movements (nrms)

  2. The Church of England and other faiths

  3. National Policies Inter faith policy and new religions/new spirituality policy are different at NATIONAL level in the Church of England We have formal relationships with other members of the ‘nine’: Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Baha'i

  4. Involving what?

  5. Christianity and other faiths • Engagement • Advocacy • Dialogue • Exchange • Diplomacy • Sharing • Debate • Friendship, hospitality, mutuality, faith-sharing

  6. New Religious Movements

  7. NRM portfolios The NRM umbrella covers everything else • De facto New Religious Groups • Personal Development Movements • Pagan traditions • Alternative spiritualities • Alternative spiritual practice • Atheistic belief and morality systems • Extreme political groups • Organisations offering NRM services and ceremonies

  8. How do we relate to the NRM world?

  9. Inter faith: basis of engagement • Historic • Leadership • Conformity • Common elements • Deeply rewarding, but often difficult • Some NRMs show some of these elements, some have none of them

  10. The weddings project?

  11. NRM policy • We have NOformal engagement with NRMs, why? • 3000+ groups • want formal access • change fast • not accountable • difficult to monitor

  12. What then? We encourage informal contacts with NRMs • Knowing neighbours • Getting info • Removing suspicion • Supporting families • Open door • Appropriate engagement

  13. The Good Stuff…

  14. The Good Stuff In addition to free calendars… • Many peaceful and friendly • Good, helpful contacts • Enable pastoral care • Mutual boundaries

  15. The Bad Stuff • Church of Celestial Light • Redeemed Christian Church of God • Church of the Holy Blood of the Lamb • Holy Spirit Church of Love and Fellowship

  16. The Bad stuff • Unnacceptable behaviour • Harm • Exploitation • Hostility • Two-faced • Contrary to the gospel

  17. Boundaries not Barriers 1people What do boundaries do? • Protect from harm • Protect from exploitation • Protect the vulnerable • Help leavers

  18. Boundaries not Barriers 2Christian faith What do the boundaries do? • distinctiveness, integrity and authenticity • avoid compatibility issues • insist on Christian values • set apart from racist and supremacist groups

  19. The network • Every diocese should have an NRM/AS adviser for pastoral support • INFORM provides information • INFORM provides access to counselling, legal advice etc • AR provides specialist advice eg ecclesiastical law

  20. Policy • No formal engagement, only informal contacts • No access, advocacy, • Listen, encourage, support informal engagement • Use INFORM for information • No suppression of groups

  21. Resources • Sense Making Faith www.spiritualjourneys.org.uk

  22. We provide • Information • Guidance • Pastoral care • Negotiation • Support • Access to specialist ministries (eg deliverance)

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