Alternative Spirituality

» Brian Tubbs - What makes something "alternative"?

I'd be interested in everyone's comments to the following question...

What makes a faith system or creed an "alternative" religion?

Is it minority status? If so, do we weigh this within a global context or a national context? Hinduism, for example, is a minority religion in the US but not in India.

And when we say 'alternative,' obviously we're making a contrast with something else - presumably a 'mainstream' faith. Well, again, who or what decides 'mainstream'? Does this yet again bring us back to local v. global context?

I'm genuinely curious.

» pink101 - Maybe

In response to What makes something "alternative"? posted by BrianTubbs:
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I don't know; but, maybe it's something offered as an alternative to what one has been taught to accept through the process of socialization. The only alternative I knew about when I was being socialized was damnation.
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-- posted by pink101

» spiritalk - Maybe

In response to Maybe posted by pink101:

We need to try practicing something other than Christianity in a Christian country; something other than Islam in Iraq (i.e.), and something other than Jew in Israel to understand that question.

There is a registry of religions that one can access in the U.S. (this is not true in all countries) that are 'recognized' religions. This gives all religions the opportunity to practice in peace. This was not always so.

In Canada there is no such registry. The law is used as a precident to accept or reject a new following. Many cults and religions have arisen through this practice in both countries.

God bless, J

-- posted by spiritalk

» Brian Tubbs - my interest

I appreciate the comments and welcome others. Part of my interest here is that I'm a chaplain candidate in the US Army Reserves. The Chaplain Corps expects us to preach and perform religious ceremonies according to our own faith, but to respect and provide for people of ALL faiths. One of the reasons I'm hanging out here is to learn about the other faiths. So, I appreciate this.

» Jolinda - What makes something "alternative"?

In response to What makes something "alternative"? posted by BrianTubbs:
Good question, and one there is really no right answer to. Here's an article explaining my academic perspective:

http://alternativespirituality.suite101....

-- posted by Jolinda

» spiritalk - What makes something "alternative"?

In response to What makes something "alternative"? posted by Jolinda:

Excellent approach to religions and their status!

God bless, J

-- posted by spiritalk

» Migisi - What makes something "alternative"?

In response to What makes something "alternative"? posted by spiritalk:

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I agree, J. An excellent approach.
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I especially appreciate point #3. I've posited before that Christianity is a sub-sect of Judaism, not a stand-alone 'original' religion. It's roots in Judaism run deep. As Jolinda wrote: "few are truly spawned in a cultural bubble free from the rites, texts and deities of other faiths."

-- posted by Migisi

» Brian Tubbs - Christianity and Judaism

In response to What makes something "alternative"? posted by Migisi:

Indeed, Christianity finds its roots in Judaism. This is one of the reasons why Christians tend to be pro-Israel. (Looking around for Pink). Moreover, Christians worshipped and spoke in SYNAGOGUES in Palestine until the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70. You see this in Acts, where Paul, Apollos, Peter, etc. were frequently preaching in the synagogues.

» Migisi - Christianity and Judaism

In response to Christianity and Judaism posted by BrianTubbs:

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So, Christianity can be considered a sub-sect 'alternative' to Judaism? It certainly was in the 1st century. But because the Jesus Movement spread and its adherents are numerous today, it's considered 'mainstream'. Which confirms Jolinda's point in #4 - 'Time changes everything." However, if we look at other modern cultures where Christian adherents are few, it still would be considered an 'alternative', no?
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Moreover, Christians worshipped and spoke in SYNAGOGUES in Palestine until the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70.
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First to the Jews, then to the Gentiles. By Jewish law, ALL who entered the synagogue ~had~ to be circumcized beforehand. If they were not, the synagogue ruler and/or Jewish Sanhedrin had the legal authority to execute them for 'defiling the temple'. So, they had to be Jewish first.

-- posted by Migisi