Alternative religion kids: spiritual and cultural identity among children and youth involved with new religious movements

ABSTRACT

The term ‘new religious movement’ (NRM) has come to replace the more provocative term ‘cult,’ however this shift of scholarly language has not resulted in a softening of public perception towards those in religious groups perceived as ‘weird’. This perception leaves a distinct mark on the identities of children raised in these communities.Children from alternative and controversial religions comprise a unique subculture.. The experience of growing up in a new religious movement has an important impact on a young person’s cultural and spiritual identity. Drawing on and expanding Useem and Downie’s model of ‘third culture kids’ (TCKs) the model of ‘alternative religion kids’ (ARKs) is developed. It is proposed that ARKs are a subculture in their own right and share a sense of belonging and identity based on their experience of being religious ‘others’. ARKs may be able to connect through a powerful, shared experience not paralleled with other peers.

KEYWORDS:

• Childhood spirituality
• new religious movements
• cults
• identity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

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Jessica Pratezina

Jessica Pratezina is a graduate student at the School of Child and Youth Care at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. Her research centres on childhood religiosity and spiritual experiences, religious identity and belonging, faith transitions, and the intersection of child welfare and controversial religious groups. Her SSHRC funded thesis is a study of the experiences of children and youth who were raised in and then left alternative religions.