seed-data.json

{
	"name": "THE CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST",
	"historicalRoots": "Founded in Boston in 1879 as \"a church designed to commemorate the word and works of our Master (Christ Jesus), which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing.\" The Church's founder, Mary Baker Eddy, had a Protestant Christian background, having grown up as a devout Congregationalist. A lifelong Bible student, Mrs. Eddy was healed of a severe injury in 1866 as she read the account of one of Jesus' healings in the New Testament. The healing led her to the conviction that healing through prayer is a natural and normal aspect of the Christian experience and to the discovery of what she understood as the Science of Christianity. She later wrote the Christian Science textbook (1875), established the Church of Christ, Scientist (1879), and established the Christian Science periodicals, including The Christian Science Monitor (1908).",
	"basicBeliefs": "The brief religious tenets of Christian Science are given on p. 497 of Science and Health, and read: 1. As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal life. 2. We acknowledge and adore one supreme and infinite God. We acknowledge His Son, One Christ; the holy Ghost or divine Comforter; and man in God's image and likeness. 3. We acknowledge God's forgiveness of sin in the destruction of sin and the spiritual understanding that casts out evil as unreal. But the belief in sin is punished so long as the belief lasts. 4. We acknowledge Jesus' atonement as the evidence of divine, efficacious Love, unfolding man's unity with God through Christ Jesus the Way-Shower; and we acknowledge that man is saved through Christ, through Truth, Life, and Love as demonstrated by the Galilean Prophet in healing the sick and overcoming sin and death. 5. We acknowledge that the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection served to uplift faith to understand eternal Life, even the all Ness of Soul, and the nothingness of matter. 6. And we solemnly promise to watch and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just and pure.' The teachings of Christian Science are rooted in the Bible. The basic theological and ethical statements of Christian Science are set forth in the denominational textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.",
	"practices": "The moral code of Christian Science is contained in the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount. Members abstain from the use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Some also refrain from tea, coffee or other caffeinated drinks.",
	"organization": "The Church of Christ, Scientist, consists of the Mother Church, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, and branches throughout the world. Governing by-laws are published in the Church Manual written by Mrs. Eddy. Manual provisions are administered by a Board of Directors, who appoint chief officers of the Mother Church. Branch churches are democratically self-governed. They choose officers from their congregation by election for limited Periods of office.",
	"books": 
	[
		"Christian Science: A Sourcebook of Contemporary Materials. Boston: The Christian Science Publishing society, 1990. 348pp.",
		"Peel, Robert. Spiritual Healing in a Scientific Age. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc., 1987. 203pp.", 
		"Rosten, Leo, ed. Religions of America. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1975. 672pp."
	]
}
{
	"name": "CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS",
	"historicalRoots": "Organized during the period of unrest and \"revival\" in the U.S. during the 1800s. Joseph Smith, Jr., uncertain as to which of the various Protestant denominations was the true church, prayed for divine insight. In answer to this prayer, God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him to inform him that none were right, but that the fullness of the gospel would be revealed to him in the future. Later, the Angel Moroni delivered to him an ancient record, on gold plates, containing the history and religious teachings of a people who had migrated from Jerusalem to America some 600 years before Christ. These people, believed by the Mormons to be forefathers of at least some of the American Indians, had recorded their religious experiences, including a record of their encounter with the resurrected Christ. These were translated and published by Joseph Smith, Jr., and are known as The Book of Mormon. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formally organized on April 6, 1830, in the home of Peter Whitner in Fayette, New York, by Joseph Smith, Jr., and five others. Joseph Smith, Jr., was the first President of the Church. From New York, the Mormons moved to the Midwest. Expelled from Illinois, they were led by Brigham Young, the second President of the Church, to the basin of the Great Salt Lake.",
	"basicBeliefs": "LDS \"Articles of Faith\" state: 1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. 2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression. 3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. 4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. 5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. 6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. 7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth. 8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. 9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the kingdom of God. 10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion will be built upon this American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory. 11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. 12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. 13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. The King James version of the Bible, The Book of Mormon, and the revelations given to other Presidents of the Church (Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price) are accepted as scripture.",
	"practices": "(See also \"Dietary Standards\" and \"Basic Beliefs,\" especially articles 12 and 13.) Teachings of the Church prohibit sex outside of marriage, do not accept homosexuality or abortions (except where necessary to preserve the life of the mother), and teach \"doing good to all men.\" Members are expected to adhere to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, must be baptized by proper authority, live a Christian life, and observe the council of Church leaders. Members are expected to contribute tithing to the Church.",
	"organization": "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organized with a three-member First Presidency, the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, and the First and Second Quorum of Seventy, which administers the ecclesiastical affairs of the Church. There is also a Presiding Bishopric, which administers the ecclesiastical affairs of the Church under the direction of the First Presidency. These leaders are referred to as the General Authorities. Membership is organized into Stakes and Wards, or into Missions, Districts, and Branches. A Stake consists of 6 to 10 Wards with a Stake President and Religious Requirements and Practices",
	"books": 
	[
		"Church History in the Fullness of Times. Salt Lake City, UT: Church Educational Systems, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-daySaints, 1989. 643pp"
	]
}
{
	"name": "THE FAMILY OF LOVE",
	"historicalRoots": "The Family of Love evolved out of revivalist movements affecting the California youth culture in the late 1960s led by the Rev. David Brandt Berg. At first they took the name \"Teens for Christ\" and later were called the Children of God by the news media, after Berg's followers travel led through the United States on an Exodus-like trek in 1969, settling in Texas in 1970. Although the focus of much controversy, the Children became a highly mobile and evangelical body and continued to grow. In the mid-seventies they have attempted to replace their revolutionary image with one more conservative, emphasizing a settled existence of colonies in urban centers. They also adopted the name Family of Love.",
	"basicBeliefs": "The Family of Love bases its teachings on the Bible, the Revolutionary handbook of Jesus Christ, as expounded by the prophetic leader, Moses David. They believe that all people have sinned, and that the wages of sin is death, but that the gift of God is eternal life. They believe that all evil governments will suffer God's judgments and that the motivation of much of established society is corrupt; i.e., greed and selfishness. They believe that much of the religious establishment is doing little to teach their members to evangelize the world, but that there are millions of other Christians who really witness and win souls both in and out of the churches. They believe that God has in His love sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world so that all who believe in him will be saved by faith (Ephesians 2: 8-9). Following the New Testament example, they sell all that they have, give all property and income to the Family of Love, and hold all things in common. They believe that they are given power by the holy spirit to witness for Jesus, and that this holy Spirit sends them into the world to preach the Gospel to others. They believe that disciples must be willing to avoid worldly entanglements, and to suffer affliction gladly. The Family of Love accepts as equal in authority the Bible and those of Moses David's writings which are inspirational prophetic. Both are considered to be the word of God. The writings of Moses David are published in a series of letters. called MO Letters.",
	"practices": "Ethical guidelines are drawn from the Bible as interpreted by Moses David. Family of Love are expected to be quiet and orderly, to obey the law and officers of the law, to show respect for owners of property and officials of schools and establishments. Family of Love are not allowed to use narcotics and tobacco. They believe in marriage with permanent mates with divorce being a very rare exception. Sex is seen as a normal and healthy function of marriage. Family of Love are encouraged to fill their life with witnessing and Bible study.",
	"organization": "Each colony is headed by a shepherd who is elected by the colony members. Each three colonies are grouped together into a district with a district shepherd elected by the colony shepherds and approved by the next level up (the regional shepherd), or appointed by the colony shepherds. This pattern is followed with districts being grouped together into regions, etc. Each local colony is autonomous and the overseeing shepherds offer suggestions, teach classes, and help to coordinate witnessing efforts in their area. According to the need, some countries or language areas will have an information and correspondence center that serves the general public. The only international operation of the group is the gathering of news and events worldwide and published bimonthly and sent to all members and subscribers in a magazine called, The New National News. Moses David's position is that of a father figure writing letters of fatherly council and advice to his children around the world.",
	"books": 
	[
		"None."
	]
}
{
	"name": "THE FOUNDATION FAITH OF GOD",
	"historicalRoots": "In 1963, a group of professionals of several nationalities from the U.S., Canada, and Europe came together to initiate a movement which was to become the Foundation Faith of God. From 1963 to 1974, they worked extensively in the social service field, including individual and group counseling and establishment of centers in a number of American cities (providing a community coffeehouse, courses and lectures, and other services). The group's formative religious experience took place in 1966. In a type of religious retreat, the group (30 members) lived in a place called Xtul on the Yucatan peninsula. This period of intense examination was a time of religious and spiritual revelation for both the total group and for its individual members. A time of great asceticism, it functioned much as the Exodus did for the Jews. From this period came the strong and simple belief which forms the basis of the Foundation Faith. The group first started working in New Orleans in 1967. The Foundation Faith of the Millennium was incorporated in New York State in 1974.",
	"basicBeliefs": "The Foundation Faith believe that the world and mankind were created by God, named as Jehovah in certain versions of the Bible. God loves His people, and is manifest in history in the regard and punishment of His people. The world is beset with problems, both personal and social, and the only true answer is life devoted to God. It believes that God sent many prophets into the world to different races and cultures, to lead men to God, and to teach them to live according to God's laws, exemplified by the Ten Commandments. Much of the teaching is derived from the Bible, specifically the Gospels, but the validity of all religions which direct men to lead a good life devoted to the service of God and adherence to His laws is recognized. God and His teachings are seen as manifest in many different religions. Christ, Moses, Mohammed, Buddha, etc., were all sent by God to lead men to Him, although Christ holds a pre-eminent place. Many major religions foresee the coming of a messianic figure (known by many different names) to lead mankind into a new age or millennium ruled over by God and His laws. The Foundation Faith believes that these are the End Times, and within these times the Messiah, a representative of God, will appear to lead men back to God. Creed statements appear in the specific ritual of the Foundation Faith. The Bible is regarded as a major source of authority, and commentaries and/or articles regarding the beliefs of the Foundation Faith Religious Requirements and Practices appear in pamphlet form and in the periodicals published by the Faith.",
	"practices": "The Foundation's ethical practices encompass the normal stipulations required for a \"good life,\" following basic guidelines set down in the Bible and other holy literature. Special religious holidays are celebrated on June 13 (Foundation Day; which date represents this group's first initial gathering as a loosely organized body) and November 20th (Founder's Day). Founders take the day off work, and, if near a center, take part in religious services and festivals. Covenant Month (October 20--November 20), while not a holiday per se, commemorates the original religious experience of the group. Considerable activity takes place in all branches of the Foundation at that time.",
	"organization": "The Foundation Faith is organized along strict hierarchical lines, with ministers gaining seniority according to their experience and ability. The ranks of the ministry are: (1) Ordained Ministers are known as Reverend, including Luminaries, Minor Luminaries, and Celebrants; (2) Regular Ministers, known as Brother or Sister, including Mentors and Covenanters; and (3) Ministers-in-Training, including Witnesses and Aspirants. The Council of Luminaries is the governing body, and consists of all Luminaries and Minor Luminaries. A minister promoted to Minor Luminary automatically becomes a member of the Council. Ranks also exist within the laity, the most common being Lay Founder. These may serve as lay minister after instruction by a minister. The Foundation Faith is administered internationally from its Nevada headquarters. Other branches consist of both ministerial teams and lay members who conduct activities in the absence of ministerial personnel.",
	"books": 
	[
		"The Bible, specifically the New Testament, and most specifically the Gospels."
	]
}
{
	"name": "HOLY SPIRIT ASSOCIATION FOR THE UNIFICATION OF WORLD CHRISTIANITY",
	"historicalRoots": "On Easter morning in 1936, while 16-year-old Sun Myung Moon was in deep prayer on a mountainside in Korea, Jesus Christ appeared to him to tell him he had an important mission to accomplish in the fulfillment of God's providence. For the next nine years, The Reverend Moon studied intensely and struggled to prepare himself for his responsibility. In those years of prayer, he discovered a series of principles which made it possible to understand the spiritual and physical nature of the universe, the patterns and meaning of history, as well as the inner meanings of the parables and symbols of the Bible and the purpose of all religions. Rev. Moon began his public ministry in what is now North Korea and was imprisoned by the Communists for preaching the Word of God. After being liberated from the three-year imprisonment, Rev. Moon moved his work to Seoul, Korea, where in 1954 he formally established the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity (Unification Church). The Unification Church was established in the United States in 1959, by the first missionary to America, Dr. Young Oon Kim, who settled in Eugene, Oregon, and translated the Divine Principle, revealed to Rev. Moon, into English. In l972, the Unification Church of America was given a spur to growth when Rev. Moon began several national speaking tours. Rev. Moon travels extensively throughout the world, and resides in Tarrytown, New York with his wife and 13 children.",
	"basicBeliefs": "The teaching of the Unification Church, the Divine Principle, can largely be divided into three parts. The most fundamental part of the Principle is the \"Principle of Creation\" which explains who God is and how and why He created. The Church teaches that the Infinite God can be known by the study of His creation. Everything exists in pairs--masculine and feminine, positive and negative, initiative and receptive. God contains the same polarity. All things also contain an inner and outer nature. In like measure, God's internal Nature (Sung-sang) is His heart of infinite love, and His External Form (Hyung-sang) is the energy of the universe. God created the universe to bring Himself joy and to bring joy to man. Every man and woman has the capacity to fully reflect the image of God and become one with Him. We achieve that oneness when we come to develop fully our capacity to love. In family life, we ideally find the most complete expression of the range and depth of human love. God's love is the infinite counterpart of the three modes of human love--love of parents for children, love of husband and wife, and love of children for parents. This ideal should have been established in the Garden of Eden by Adam and Eve, the original human ancestors. They would have become the first \"True parents,\" had they not fallen. Since God is the substantial being of goodness and the eternal ideal, in accordance with His purpose, man was also created to become the ideal embodiment of goodness, in whom sin and suffering would be a contradiction and an impossibility. The reality of the contradictions and evil in which man finds himself is a result of his having lost his original value by falling. Traditional Christianity calls this state of man \"the fall\" and its details, motivation and process are found in the section of the Principle entitled \"The Fall of Man.\" The men fallen into sin must tread the path of salvation under God's blessing; in the Unification Principle, salvation is restoration. In other words, the purpose of salvation is to return to the original state before the fall; therefore, God's providence of salvation is the providence of restoration. The section \"Principle of Restoration\" attempts to clarify the overall meaning and process of salvation. In this restoration process Christ plays a key role. Christ comes not only as our mediator but as our example of how to spiritually and physically live to become God's ideal. Therefore, by uniting our heart and action with Christ, we are \"saved.\" The teachings postulate that Jesus was supposed to take a bride and create the ideal family but his early death limited that plan. The first Advent brought spiritual salvation and a promise to return. The Lord of the Second Advent will bring physical salvation. To Church members, the Second Coming is at hand and Rev. Moon, with his wife Hak Ja Han, are fulfilling the position of true parents. A spiritual world exists as the counterpart of the physical. In the physical world we mature our spirits, within the limits of time and so that we will be prepared to live with God eternally. Heaven is the highest level of the spiritual world where perfected people dwell in oneness with God. The Church accepts both Old and New Testament as Divine Revelation. The teachings of Rev. Moon, the Divine Principle, are largely an interpretation of the Bible, but do include significant additional revelations which are given equal authority. The Church also publishes many other materials to aid in understanding Rev. Moon's revelation, including study guides, condensations of the revelation on audio tapes, texts of Rev. Moon's speeches and periodicals.",
	"practices": "Members are expected to keep high moral standards and actively witness to their faith, but the only restrictions are on alcohol, tobacco and sex outside of the marriage relationship.",
	"organization": "Although the Unification Church has missions in over 120 countries, there is no formal international structure. Each country operates autonomously. In the United States, the Unification Church is focused in its national offices in New York City, and is headed by its national President. Local Resident Centers function in all 50 States and Puerto Rico; each is headed by a director appointed by the national office. Besides the local centers, the Unification Church encounters the public through a number of subsidiary structures which seek to implement specific parts of the Church program: International Family Association (IF A), Collegiate Associate for the Research of Principles (CARP), High School Association for the Research of Principles (HARP), and the Performing Arts Department which has a variety of groups, e.g., New Hope Singers International, Korean Folk Ballet, Ancestors (rock group), International Folk Ballet, and Go-World Brass Band.",
	"books": 
	[
		"Divine Principle. New York: HSC-UWC, 1973. 536pp. Kim, Young Oom. Unification Theology and Christian Thought. 2 vols. New York: Golden Gate, 1975,1976. Vol. I, 289pp. Vol. II, 320pp.", 
		"Moon, Sun Myung, New Hope 12 Talks. 2 vols. New York: HSA-UWCC, 1973, 1984. Vol. I, 103pp. Vol. II, 96pp. True Love. 2 vols. New York: HSC, 1989. Vol. I,266pp. Vol. 2, forthcoming The Way of Tradition. 4 Vols. New York: HSC-UWC, 1980."
	]
}