What Is A Religious Movement?

A movement is any sort of activity which is to be activated by a specific group. It must be based on some particular rationale. If it is a religious movement then the rationale behind it must be a religious one. This movement can be considered as an extremist movement as religious matters are sometimes extreme. We may see a number of religions round the globe. Some of them are open minded while others are not. There are many who don't have any religion while on the other hand there are many people who have a serious interest in religion.

Those who have a keen and deep interest in religion are responsible for religious movements. These movements and their liveliness depend upon the leaders who are running them. At times, we find active leaders who are very sound in running a movement. Another thing that matters for the success of a movement is the importance of the rationales on which that movement is based. If those points are valid and the leaders are justifying them animatedly then it would probably be a successful movement.

          Man has evolved from a simple addition to the existent life forms on the planet to the most evolved and highly intelligent among all. His sphere of influence has not only affected his surroundings, both natural and artificial, but has also designed his society and religious beliefs.

          The natural phenomena that governed his existence took the form of God, who was easier to relate to and gave vent to his imagination. Then onwards, man created a number of religions according to his personal preferences and beliefs. The number of seers and prophets in each religion has added quality to life and meaning to our existence. However, in good time, everything was questioned and so was religion.

          A religious movement is one in which the routine set of rites and rituals and practices are questioned and challenged by someone. Within the questioning lies the power for belief to expand or become more rigid. What also happens in the bargain is that there are many sects and sub-sects created within the followers of a particular religion.

          One such example is the questioning of Martin Luther that resulted in the creation of the Protestants, within Christianity. Another example is seen among the Muslims worldwide that came up with the beliefs expressed and taken up by the Aga Khan on the teachings and practices advocated within the holy book, leading to the formation of two distinct sects, the Sunnis and Shiyas, worldwide.