The purpose of this article is to identify those ideas about some of the world's major religions which are false, and provide the correct information in the hopes that a better understanding can be achieved.

Islam: It has often been stated that female genital mutilation was a part of the Islamic belief. It is not. The practice originated in Africa. Female genital mutilation is a cultural practice and is not a religious belief. In the countries where it is practiced it is done by followers of all religions.  in fact, in many Muslim countries it is an unknown practice.

Wicca: This religion has been viewed by many as the religion of Satan. It is not. In actual fact, Wicca is a reconstruction of an ancient Celtic religion. They do not believe in the existence of Satan or demons. Wiccans (followers of the Wiccan religion) are prohibited from using magic to harm others.

The Church of Scientology and the Church of Christ Scientist are the same. This is false. The Church of Scientology is an applied religious philosophy. It was founded by L. Ron Hubbard in the late 1950s. The Church of Christ Scientist (also known as Christian Science Church) was founded much earlier by Mary Morse Baker Eddy. Christ Scientists believe that only God can heal the sick. The Church of Scientology has no such belief.

Christianity - Immaculate Conception: Many people believe that Immaculate Conception refers to Jesus being without original sin. However this is false. Immaculate Conception refers to the conception of Mary who according to the Roman Catholic doctrine was conceived without original sin.

Cults Are Dangerous: In the main, this is false. Throughout history there has been a small number of groups that have proven to be dangerous, however this does not mean that any or all new religious movements are dangerous. In past decades New Religious Movements have been falsely classified as "cults".  There have been thousands of religious organizations in the US and only a very small number had any real danger. Almost every religious group is benign. A New Religious Movement is the beginning stage of how faith groups are organized in man's quest for his spirituality. All religions - including Christianity, Muslim, Sufism, etc. all started out as new religious movements.

Satanism: Although it is commonly accepted that Satanists worship Satan, it is not understood who and what Satan is. In the Middle Ages Satan was identified by the Christians as the Devil, who was according to their teachings an all-evil, living demi-god. However, this is not the Satan than is a part of Satanism. This is merely the definition of Satan that was given by the Christians in an earlier era. There are actually two large groups within the religion of Satanism: there is the church of Satan, and these members view Satan as a pagan principle (paganism preceded Christianity), and not a living entity. There is also The Temple of Set. The members of the Temple of Set worship Set, who also is a predecessor of the Devil - tracing all the way back to Ancient Egypt.

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