A list of new religions that have been created in the past 500 years:
1. Sikhism - (Founded in the late 15th century)
- Founded by Guru Nanak in the Punjab region of India.
- Emphasizes monotheism, equality, and community service.
2. Unitarianism - (Developed in the 16th century)
- Emerged in Europe as a liberal Christian movement rejecting the doctrine of the Trinity.
- Focuses on the oneness of God and the importance of reason and individual conscience.
3. The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) - (Established in the mid-17th century)
- Founded by George Fox in England.
- Emphasizes direct experience of God, pacifism, and simplicity.
4. Bábism and Bahá'í Faith - (Mid-19th century)
- Bábism was founded by the Báb in Persia, leading to the Bahá'í Faith founded by Bahá'u'lláh.
- Bahá'í Faith promotes global unity, equality, and the harmony of science and religion.
5. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism) - (Founded in the early 19th century)
- Founded by Joseph Smith in the United States.
- Believes in the Book of Mormon as a sacred text and emphasizes restoration of the original Christian church.
6. Seventh-day Adventism - (Established in the mid-19th century)
- Originated from the Millerite movement in the United States.
- Emphasizes the imminent Second Coming of Christ and observance of Saturday as the Sabbath.
7. Jehovah's Witnesses - (Formed in the late 19th century)
- Founded by Charles Taze Russell in the United States.
- Focuses on the imminent establishment of God's kingdom and rejection of traditional Christian doctrines like the Trinity.
8. Christian Science - (Founded in the late 19th century)
- Established by Mary Baker Eddy in the United States.
- Teaches that sickness and sin are illusions that can be corrected by prayer and understanding of divine law.
9. The Church of Scientology- (Established in the mid-20th century)
- Founded by L. Ron Hubbard in the United States.
- Emphasizes spiritual rehabilitation through a process called auditing and the study of Dianetics.
10. Falun Gong - (Developed in the early 1990s)
- Founded by Li Hongzhi in China.
- Combines meditation, qigong exercises, and moral philosophy rooted in Buddhist and Taoist traditions.
11. Rastafarianism - (Emerged in the 1930s)
- Developed in Jamaica, influenced by the coronation of Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia.
- Combines elements of Christianity, Pan-Africanism, and African cultural practices.
A list of new religions that have been created in the past 100 years:
12. Cao Dai - (Founded in 1926)
- Originated in Vietnam.
- Combines elements of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam, with a belief in a supreme deity and the practice of spirit communication.
13. Tenrikyo - (Gained prominence in the early 20th century)
- Founded by Nakayama Miki in Japan.
- Emphasizes joyous living and the belief in a single god, Tenri-O-no-Mikoto.
14. Happy Science (Kōfuku-no-Kagaku) - (Founded in 1986)
- Founded by Ryuho Okawa in Japan.
- Combines elements of Buddhism, Christianity, and New Age spirituality, with a focus on happiness and enlightenment.
15. Raelism - (Founded in 1974)
- Founded by Claude Vorilhon (Rael) in France.
- Believes that life on Earth was created by an extraterrestrial species called the Elohim and promotes world peace and universal love.
16. Falun Gong (Falun Dafa) - (Founded in 1992)
- Founded by Li Hongzhi in China.
- Combines meditation, qigong exercises, and moral philosophy rooted in Buddhist and Taoist traditions.
17. Aetherius Society - (Founded in 1955)
- Founded by George King in the United Kingdom.
- Focuses on contact with advanced extraterrestrial beings and the belief in spiritual energy and cosmic missions.
18. Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (Pastafarianism) - (Founded in 2005)
- Originated as a satirical movement by Bobby Henderson in the United States.
- Critiques the teaching of intelligent design and promotes a humorous approach to religion and secularism.
19. Nation of Yahweh - (Founded in 1979)
- Founded by Yahweh ben Yahweh (Hulon Mitchell Jr.) in the United States.
- A black Hebrew Israelite movement that combines elements of Judaism and Christianity, emphasizing the belief that African Americans are the true descendants of the ancient Israelites.
20. Unification Church (Moonies) - (Founded in 1954)
- Founded by Sun Myung Moon in South Korea.
- Promotes the belief in Jesus's unfinished mission and the establishment of a theocratic kingdom of God on Earth.
21. Scientology - (Gained prominence in the 1950s)
- Founded by L. Ron Hubbard in the United States.
- Focuses on spiritual rehabilitation through a process called auditing and the study of Dianetics.
22. Soka Gakkai - (Gained prominence in the 1930s)
- Originated in Japan, rooted in Nichiren Buddhism.
- Focuses on the teachings of Nichiren and the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for personal and social transformation.
23. Ravidassia Religion - (Emerged formally in the early 21st century)
- Originated among followers of the 14th-century Indian saint Ravidas.
- Centers on the teachings and hymns of Guru Ravidas, emphasizing equality and social justice.
24. Church of the SubGenius - (Founded in the 1950s) - A parody religion that satirizes religion, consumerism, and conspiracy theories.
- Founded by Ivan Stang and Philo Drummond, it mocks religious extremism through humor and absurdity.
25. Elan Vital (Divine Light Mission) - (Founded in the 1960s)
- Founded by Guru Maharaj Ji (Prem Rawat) in India.
- Focuses on inner peace and self-knowledge through meditation techniques taught by Prem Rawat.
26. The Temple of Set - (Founded in 1975)
- An occult organization that emerged as a split from the Church of Satan.
- Founded by Michael A. Aquino, it emphasizes self-deification and the exploration of individual potential.
27. Nuwaubian Nation - (Gained prominence in the late 20th century)
- Founded by Dwight York in the United States.
- Combines elements of African spirituality, ancient Egyptian religion, UFO beliefs, and conspiracy theories.
28. Druidry - (Revived in the 20th century, modern forms emerging in the mid-1900s)
- Revival of ancient Celtic druidic practices.
- Emphasizes nature worship, seasonal festivals, and the veneration of ancestors and natural spirits.
29. Temple of the True Inner Light - (Founded in the late 20th century)
- Based in New York City.
- Practices the sacramental use of psychedelic substances such as DMT, LSD, and psilocybin mushrooms as means of experiencing direct spiritual insight.
30. Church of the Creator - (Creativity Movement)** (Founded in 1973)
- Founded by Ben Klassen.
- Promotes a white supremacist ideology and rejects conventional religions.
31. Damanhur - (Founded in 1975)
- Founded by Oberto Airaudi (Falco) in Italy.
- A spiritual community that practices art, spirituality, and sustainable living, known for its underground temple complex.
List of Christian sects and denominations that have emerged in the past 500 years:
32. Anabaptism -(Early 16th century)
- Originated during the Protestant Reformation.
- Emphasizes believer's baptism, pacifism, and separation from state affairs.
33. Lutheranism - (16th century)
- Founded by Martin Luther in Germany.
- Focuses on justification by faith alone and the authority of Scripture.
34. Calvinism - (16th century)
- Founded by John Calvin in Switzerland.
- Emphasizes predestination, the sovereignty of God, and the authority of Scripture.
35. Anglicanism - (16th century)
- Established by King Henry VIII in England.
- Combines elements of Catholicism and Protestantism.
36. Mennonites - (16th century)
- Originated from Anabaptist movement, named after Menno Simons.
- Emphasizes community living, pacifism, and simplicity.
37. Presbyterianism - (16th century)
- Founded by John Knox in Scotland.
- Emphasizes governance by elders and the authority of Scripture.
38. Baptists (17th century)
- Originated in England and later flourished in America.
- Emphasizes believer's baptism, congregational governance, and religious freedom.
39. Methodism - (18th century)
- Founded by John Wesley in England.
- Emphasizes personal holiness, social justice, and methodical approach to faith.
40. Jehovah's Witnesses - (19th century)
- Founded by Charles Taze Russell in the United States.
- Focuses on the imminent establishment of God's kingdom and rejection of traditional Christian doctrines like the Trinity.
41. Pentecostalism - (Early 20th century)
- Originated in the United States.
- Emphasizes baptism in the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, and miraculous healing.
42. The Church of God in Christ - (Early 20th century)
- Originated from the Pentecostal movement in the United States.
- Emphasizes holiness, the power of the Holy Spirit, and vibrant worship.
43. Unification Church (Moonies) - (20th century)
- Founded by Sun Myung Moon in South Korea.
- Promotes the belief in Jesus's unfinished mission and the establishment of a theocratic kingdom of God on Earth.
44. Calvary Chapel - (20th century)
- Founded by Chuck Smith in the United States.
- Emphasizes expository teaching of the Bible and contemporary worship.
45. Vineyard Movement - (20th century)
- Founded by John Wimber in the United States.
- Emphasizes contemporary worship, charismatic gifts, and practical ministry.
46. New Apostolic Reformation - (Late 20th century)
- Originated from Pentecostal and Charismatic movements.
- Emphasizes modern-day apostles and prophets, spiritual warfare, and societal transformation.
More Christian sects and denominations that have emerged in the past 500 years:
47. Church of the Nazarene - (20th century)
- Emerged from the Holiness movement in the United States.
- Emphasizes sanctification and living a holy life.
48. Assemblies of God - (20th century)
- Originated from the Pentecostal movement in the United States.
- Focuses on evangelism, missions, and charismatic worship.
49. The United Church of Canada - (20th century)
- Formed by the merger of Methodist, Congregational, and some Presbyterian churches in Canada.
- Emphasizes social justice and inclusivity.
50. Foursquare Church - (20th century)
- Founded by Aimee Semple McPherson in the United States.
- Emphasizes the fourfold ministry of Jesus as Savior, Healer, Baptizer with the Holy Spirit, and Soon-Coming King.
51. Christian and Missionary Alliance - (Late 19th century)
- Founded by A.B. Simpson in the United States.
- Emphasizes evangelism, missions, and the deeper Christian life.
52. Grace Communion International - (20th century)
- Founded by Herbert W. Armstrong as the Radio Church of God.
- Emphasizes the teachings of the Bible with a focus on grace and the new covenant.
53. International Church of the Foursquare Gospel - (20th century)
- Founded by Aimee Semple McPherson.
- Emphasizes Jesus as Savior, Baptizer with the Holy Spirit, Healer, and Coming King.
54. Apostolic Church - (20th century)
- Originated in Wales from the Pentecostal movement.
- Emphasizes the role of modern-day apostles and prophetic ministry.
55. New Thought Movement - (Late 19th to early 20th century)
- Includes groups like Unity Church and Religious Science.
- Emphasizes positive thinking, healing, and the law of attraction.
59. The Brethren in Christ Church - (19th century)
- Originated in Pennsylvania, United States.
- Emphasizes Anabaptist, Pietist, and Wesleyan holiness traditions.
60. The Plymouth Brethren - (19th century)
- Originated in Ireland and England.
- Emphasizes a simple, New Testament-based form of church organization and worship.
61. Church of the Living God - (20th century)
- Various groups under this name have formed in the United States.
- Emphasizes holiness, charismatic worship, and community living.
62. The Salvation Army - (19th century)
- Founded by William Booth in England.
- Emphasizes social work and evangelism.
63. Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) - (19th century)
- Emerged from the Holiness movement.
- Emphasizes Pentecostal worship and holiness.
64. **Evangelical Free Church** (20th century)
- Originated from Scandinavian immigrant churches in the United States.
- Emphasizes evangelical theology and congregational governance.
65. International Pentecostal Holiness Church - (20th century)
- Originated from the Pentecostal and Holiness movements in the United States.
- Emphasizes holiness, spiritual gifts, and evangelism.
These additional movements further illustrate the variety and complexity of Christian development over the past few centuries.