Resources for religious/spiritual interpreting (Part II)

David Bar-Tzur

Created 10 April 2000, links updated monthly with the help of LinkAlarm.

Major religious symbols

GENERAL Aboriginal religions Adidam Ananda Marga Yoga Society Ancient Egytian religion
Ancient Greek religion Ancient Roman religion Asatru Association for Research and Enlightenment (Edgar Cayce) Aum Shinrikyo
Aztec Babism (Precursor to Bahá'í) Bahá'í faith Branch Davidians Buddhism
Canaanite (Ugaritic) Caodaism (Dao Cao Dai) Celtic/Druid Chen Tao (The Right Way) Christianity
Church of All Worlds Confucianism Deaf spirituality Deepak Chopra Discordianism
Divine Light Mission; Elan Vital Druze (Druse or Mowahhhidoon) Eckankar Egypt's ancient religion The Family (a.k.a. Children of God)
Father Divine (Universal Peace Mission Movement Foundation of Human Understanding Freemasonry Gnosticism Goddess worship
Gurdjieff Heaven's Gate The Hermetic Alchemical Order of the QBLH Hinduism Hittite
I Am Ifa Integral Yoga Islam Jainism
Jonestown (Peoples Temple) Judaism Knights Templar Landmark Forum (Erhard Seminars Training, est) Life Spring
Maya Meher Baba Groups Nation of Islam Nation of Y-hweh Native American spirituality
New Age Spirituality New Thought Order of the Solar Temple Ordo Templi Orientis Osho (followers of the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh)
Paganism (Neopaganism) Pantheism The Process (The Process Church of the Final Judgment) Ramtha's School of Enlightenment Rastafarianism
Rebirthing Roma ("Gypsies") Samaritans Santeria, La orixa, Lucumi, Lukumi, or Macumba Satanism
Scientology Self-Realization Fellowship (Paramahansa Yogananda) Shamanism Shinreikyo Shinto
Shirdi Sai Baba Sikhism Silva Mind Control; Silva Method Spiritualism Sri Chinmoy
Suma Ching Hai (Quan Yin) Sumerian Synanon Synchronicity Contemporary Meditation Taoism
Tenrikyo Thelema Theosophy UFO Cults Unification Church (Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity)
Unitarian Universalism Universal Life Church Urantia Brotherhood Vodoun Wicca
Yezidism Yoga Zoroastrianism

Click here to see the first part of

this list, or click on a specific religion in the list above

NATION OF YAHWEH

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Web sites

Yahweh ben Yahweh.

NATIVE AMERICAN SPIRITUALITY

click here.

NEW AGE SPIRITUALITY

Although it is often referred to as a religion, the New Age is in reality an almost completely decentralized spiritual movement. It is composed of metaphysical bookstores, seminar leaders, authors, teachers and user/believers of a variety of techniques, such as channeling, past life regressions, pyramid science, crystal power, etc. It is a free-flowing spiritual movement -- a network of believers and practitioners -- where book publishers take the place of a central organization; seminars, conventions, books and informal groups replace of sermons and religious services. Conservative usage: closely coordinated groups including occultists, Wiccans, Satanists, astrologers, channelers, spiritists, etc.2

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Web sites

Barron's: Mind, body, & spirit.

Murray, E. New Age Spirituality.

New Age - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Open directory project: New Age.

NEW THOUGHT

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Web sites

Affiliated New Thought Network.

The Association of Global Net Thought.

Gulf Coast AGNT.

New Thought - Affiliated New Thought network.

New Thought Network.

Religious Science International.

A Season for Non-Violence, Oakland.

United Church of Religious Science.

Unity World Headquarters.

ORDER OF THE SOLAR TEMPLE

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Web sites

Solar Temple (International Chivalric Order Solar Tradition).

ORDO TEMPLI ORIENTIS

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Web sites

U.S. Grand Lodge, Ordo Templi Orientis.

OSHO (Followers of the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh)

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Web sites

Friends of Osho.

The Humaniversity.

Osho.com.

Osho never born never died.

Osho - Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance.

PAGANISM (NEOPAGANISM)

A person who follows a religion which is reconstructed from a ancient Pagan religion. e.g. the Druidic religion is based on the faith and practices of the ancient Celtic professional class; followers of Asatru adhere to the ancient, pre-Christian Norse religion; Wiccans trace their roots back to the pre-Celtic era in Europe. Other Neo-pagans follow Roman, Greek, Egyptian and other traditions. No Neopagan tradition recognizes an all-evil deity similar to the Christian and Islamic Satan. Conservative usage: a form of Satanism.2

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Books

Elevated Therapy Pagan and Wiccan bookstore.

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Web sites

Beliefnet - Paganism and Earth-based.

Deaf Pagan Crossroads. A blog site where Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Hearing individuals can come together to learn about and discuss various aspects of spirituality, with a special focus on Earth-Based Faiths. While most of OceanŐs posts here talk about the various aspects of Paganism, it is recognized and respected that there are many ways of enlightenment and many paths to the Divine. Thus all are welcomed here, as long as you come in the spirit of love, trust, and respect for others.

Deafsolitary. This is a discussion group for Solitary practitioners of all the Pagan Paths, who are Deaf, HoH, Terps, or friends of the Deaf. We won't proselytize or try to make you follow our personal beliefs or trads, and ask the same of all. We agree to disagree, and debate without flaming or put-downs. We have no High Priest, High Priestess, or High Horseriders here and almost anything -within reason- may be discussed.

The megalith map.

Neopaganism.

Pagan/Magick/Occult dictionary.

Pagan resource page.

PANTHEISM

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Web sites

Harrison, P.

golden marble bullet(March 10, 1997) History of Pantheism.

golden marble bullet(April 27, 1999) Scientific Pantheism: An empirical religion for the Third Millennium. This is the most extensive site and has a plethora of articles and links.

Harrison, P. & A. Mueller (nd) Pantheism - Facets of religion.

Trobee, M. (August 16, 1997) Pantheism: A Religion For All.

THE PROCESS (THE PROCESS CHURCH OF THE FINAL JUDGEMENT)

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Web sites

Humanity is the Devil.

Mamatas, N. (July 28, 2002). The process church of the final judgment.

ReligiousTolerance.org - The Process: Church of the Final Judgement.

RAMTHA'S SCHOOL OF ENLIGHTENMENT

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Web sites

Ramtha's School of Enlightenment, the school of ancient wisdom.

RASTAFARIANISM

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Web sites

Dread history (shown through images).

Dread Library: Rasta images.

Jah Word.

Napti, P. Jamaicans of Ethiopian origin and the Rastafarian faith.

Ras Adam's Haile Selassie/Rastafari links.

REBIRTHING

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Web sites

Breath Awareness Center for Rebirthing.

Breathworks links.

The headless way.

Vivation - The skill of happiness.

ROMA (GYPSIES)

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Web sites

Gypsy Lore Society Collections.

Roma (Gypsies) - Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance.

SAMARITANS

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Web sites

Sacrifice of the lambs by Samaritans. There are a total of four files. Click on [More photographs of the same subject] at the bottom of each page.

The Samaritan Pentateuch.

Grabbe, L. L. (n.d.) The Samaritans in the Hasmonean Period.

The Samaritans.

Samaritans - Encyclopaedia of the Orient.

SANTERIA (VOD[O]UN, LA ORIXIA, LUCUMI, MACUMBA)

Vodun: A a benign religion which combines elements of African Native spirituality and Roman Catholicism. This religion is probably the most highly misrepresented religion in the world. [Not to be confused with] Voodoo: A popular name for a Hollywood-created, imagainary religion patterned partly on the religion of Vodun.2

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Web sites

Vodoun Culture. (in English and French) (Flavodoun)

Vodun - Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance.

SATANISM

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Books

Satanic publications.

movie of letter being mailed Mailing lists

[Note: all submissions and responses of a group are sent to it and to you by e-mail on a given topic]

alt.satanism.

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Web sites

A religion based upon Satan, either as a form of deity or as a principle. Adherents follow simple rules of behavior: give kindness to those who deserve it; indulge in your lusts and wants; return vengeance rather than turning the other cheek. With some justification, Satanism has been called the religion of the U.S. corporate boardroom. Although their beliefs are different from Christianity, Satanists are not particularly anti-Christian any more than they are anti-Hindu or anti-Buddhist. However, some have included references opposing Wicca in their rituals.2

The alt.satanism FAQ file.

Cannylink. Satanism.

Crabtree, V. (August 07, 2002). Satanists: A to Z of people of significance to Satanism.

Information on Satanism.

Ontario Consultants on religious tolerance. Satanism.

SCIENTOLOGY

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Web sites

L. Ron Hubbard home page.

Beliefnet - Scientology.

Leisa Goodman's home page.

Meet Scientologists on-line.

Scientology home page.

SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP (PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA)

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Web sites

Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda.

Self-Realization Fellowship home page.

Self-Realization Fellowship, SRF, Paramahansa Yogananda, Spirituality, Alternative...

The Sweet Love of Paramahansa Yogananda webring.

What is Ananda?

SHAMANISM

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Web sites

This is a "system of religious and medical beliefs and practices that centers on the shaman, a specific type of magico-religious practitioner...who specializes in contacting and controlling the supernatural." 2 Usually male, his main task was healing of diseases. Shamanism was originally centered in central Asia and Siberia.2

The Institute for Contemporary Shamanistic Study.

The Shaman's archive.

SHINREIKYO

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Web sites

About Shinreikyo.

The dawning world: Shinreikyo.

Shinreikyo.

SHINTO

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Web sites

This is the indigenous religion of Japan. Starting about 500 BCE (or earlier) it was originally "an amorphous mix of nature worship, fertility cults, divination techniques, hero worship, and shamanism." 3 It became the state religion of the country. Church and state were separated just after World War II.2

Beliefnet - Shinto.

Cyber shrine.

Shinto - Ontario Consultants on religious tolerance.

Yamada, N. A. (n.d.) Shinto, the Way of the Gods.

SHIRDI SAI BABA

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Web sites

Links to Sai related web pages.

Official Sai Baba homepage.

Shri Sai Baba - Shirdi home page.

SIKHISM

Although religious scholars generally view Sikhism as a blend of Hinduism and Islam, most Sikhs believe that their religion is unique, originating from a series of ten gurus, starting with Guru Nanak. Sikhs believe in a single deity, and reject class differences.2

Books

Magida, A. (ed.) (1999). How to be a perfect stranger: A guide to etiquette in other people's religious ceremonies. Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing. Vol. 2, 318-347. [Sections: History and beliefs, The basic service, Holy days and festivals, Life cycle events, Home celebrations.]

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Web sites

Beliefnet - Sikhism.

Sikhism Home Page. (Sandeep Singh Brar)

Sikhism - Religious tolerance.com.

SILVA MIND CONTROL (SILVA METHOD)

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Web sites

About the Silva Method.

Silva links.

SPIRITUALISM

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Web sites

Anomalies: The story of Spiritualism.

Countering Fundamentalist condemnation of Spiritualism.

First Spiritual Temple.

Fry, C. Physical mediumship in the Bible.

National Spiritualist Association of Churches.

Spiritualists' National Union (England).

Spiritual oracle community board.

SRI CHINMOY

books with pages turning Books.

Alibris. Use search feature for "Sri Chinmoy".

Books by Sri Chinmoy.

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Web sites

Sri Chimnoy: the official complete source.

Sri Chimnoy gallery of poems.

A Sri Chimnoy spiritual radio weblog.

SUMA CHING HAI (QUAN YIN)

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Web sites

God's direct contact.

Guzman, R. Immaterial girl.

Ross, R. Ching Hai.

SUMERIAN

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Web sites

Sumerian Mythology FAQ.

SYNANON

Books

Mitchell, D., C. Mitchell and R. Ofshe. The Light on Synanon.

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Web sites

Synanon - Home page.

Synanon, founded by Charles Dederich.

SYNCHRONICITY CONTEMPORARY MEDITATION

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Synchronicity sound files.

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Web sites

Synchronicity.

TAOISM

This religion was founded by Lao-Tse (604-531 BCE), a contemporary of Confucius, and author of the Tao-te-Ching. Taoism started as a combination of psychology and philosophy but evolved into a state religion in 440 CE. At that time Lao-Tse became popularly venerated as a deity. Taoism, along with Buddhism and Confucianism, became the three great religions of China. Much of Taoism was destroyed since the Communist victory in 1949; it survives mainly in Taiwan.2

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Web sites

Academia Sinica Text Retrieval System: encoded in Big5.

Beliefnet - Taoism.

Daoism depot.

Geometry.Net. Religion: Taoism

Lao Tzu: Father of Taoism.

Pregadio, F. The Golden Elixir.

Su T. Chinese Philosophy page.

Taoism information page.

Taoism - Ontario Consultants on religious tolerance.

Su T. Taoist glossary.

TENRIKYO

folded newspapers Journals, newspapers and newsletters.

Tenrikyo.

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Web sites

Tenrikyo home page

Tenrikyo Mission Headquarters in America.

THELEMA

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Web sites

A collection of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica and Gnostic mass materials.

Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica Hermetica.

Holy Order Of RaHoorKhuit.

Sanctum sanctorum.

Thelema - Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance.

THEOSOPHY

image of audiotapeAudiotapes

Audio onLine - Blavatsky.net.

books on shelf

Books

Publications - United Lodge of Theosophists.

Theosophical University Press online.

Theosophy Company.

Theosophy library online.

folded newspapers Journals, newspapers and newsletters

Aquarian Theosophist.

In the light of Theosophy.

Theosophy world.

movie of letter being mailed Mailing lists

[Note: all submissions and responses of a group are sent to it and to you by e-mail on a given topic]

Discussion list at Blavatsky.net.

image of videotape Videotapes and CDs.

Free films online.

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Web sites

Blavatsky Foundation.

Blavatsky.net.

de Purucker, G. (1999) Encyclopedic Theosophical glossary.

Exploring Theosophy.

The Theosophical Society - Adyar.

Theosophy simply stated.

UFO CULTS

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Web sites

About.com. Alternative religions: UFO cults.

Finney, D. UFO CULTS.

Wikipedia. UFO religion.

UNIFICATION CHURCH (HOLY SPIRIT ASSOCIATION FOR THE UNIFICATION OF WORLD CHRISTIANITY)

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Web sites

Landslide - The Unification Movement and/or Sun Myung Moon.

Rev. Sun Myung Moon - Messiah - True Love King.Unificationism - Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church.

Unificationism, a critique and counter proposal.

Wikipedia. Unification movement.

Welcome to the Unification Church.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM

Books

Magida, A. (ed.) (1999). How to be a perfect stranger: A guide to etiquette in other people's religious ceremonies. Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing. Vol. 2, 348-369. [Sections: History and beliefs, The basic service, Holy days and festivals, Life cycle events, Home celebrations.]

UUA bookstore.

UUA congregational handbook.

UUA Pamphlet Commision.

graduate with mortarboard Education.

UUA religious education.

movie of letter being mailed Mailing lists

[Note: all submissions and responses of a group are sent to it and to you by e-mail on a given topic]

UUs online - Communities.

folded newspapers Journals, newspapers and newsletters

Ferment. A downloadable pdf file to subscribe.

InterConnections.

Reach.

Synapse.

uu&me.

UUs online - Newsletters.

UU World.

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Web sites

Bar-Tzur, D. Songs and ritual texts.

Beliefnet - Unitarian Universalist.

Encarta. Unitarianism. Introduction, History, Basic Doctrine.

Susalski, C. (n.d.) Unitarian Universalist.

Unitarian Universalism - Ontario Consultants on religious tolerance.

Unitarian Universalist Association.

Wikipedia. Unitarianism.

UNIVERSAL LIFE CHURCH

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Web sites

Welcome to the Universal Life Church.

URANTIA BROTHERHOOD

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Web sites

Urantia Foundation.

The Urantia Book Fellowship.

WICCA

Wicca: a Neo-pagan polytheistic religion with roots in pre-Christian, pre-Celtic Europe. Wiccans follow the Wiccan Rede: "do whatever you wish, as long as you harm nobody, including yourself". Power, manipulation and control of others strictly prohibited; drug usage usually confined to wine. Rare ritual sexual activity is practiced, but only in private between committed adult couples. Wiccans do not proselytize. Most Wiccans are solitary practitioners; some form democratically organized covens, typically of 5 or more people. The minimum age for training or initiation is usually 18.2

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Web sites

Encarta. Witchcraft - IV. Modern Witchcraft. Part of a larger article on Witchcraft. You could read the whole article for a context or focus on this three paragraph orientation for what is happening specifically in Wicca.

Reclaiming.

Wicca - Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance.

The Witches' League for Public Awareness.

YEZIDISM

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Web sites

About.com. Yezidism.

Encylopaedia of the Orient. Yazidism or alternate site.

Dadrawala, N. H. The Yezidis of Kurdistan - Are they really Zoroastrians?

Yezidis.

Yezidi source project.

YOGA

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Web sites

Answers.com. Yoga.

Wikipedia. Yoga.

YogaAbout.com.

Yoga site.

ZOROASTRIANISM

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Web sites

This religion was founded in ancient Persia, perhaps during the sixth and seventh century BCE. Many scholars believe that numerous religious concepts first appeared in Zoroastrianism, and were later adopted by Judaism, and Christianity. These include: heaven, hell, resurrection of the body, the Messiah, final judgment, and the battle of Armageddon. Once a religion with many followers, it currently only has about 200,000 members; most live in Iran and India.2

AVESTA. Zoroastrian archives.

Beliefnet - Zoroastrianism.

Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance. Zoroastrianism.

Zarathustra.

The Zarathustrian Assermbly.

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