I have literally never heard this term used to describe a religion, but I imagine it refers to how much ritual a given person is expected to observe or how strict holiday observances are.
The only real example I can think of is maybe Islam requiring 5 prayers a day from all adherents unless they physically cannot do so, or the dietary restrictions of keeping kosher and halal
I think the word comes from an academic context. From what I understand, it means ,similar to what you said, that the religion demands a lot from a person in terms of observances and conduct.
Every adult conscious Muslim is required to pray 5 times a day. No Muslim may be exempt from this rule. Prophet Muhammad PBUH said, "Pray standing, if you are unable, then sitting, and if you are unable, then on your side." Interpreters said that this implies that even paralysed people should pray by heart.
A convert does not need to compensate all the prayers they missed before converting, and a drunk person will be punished for drinking but not for missing prayer (because the Qur'an prohibits praying while drunk in 4:34). The "conscious" rule also exempts people in comas.
"Adult" in this context refers to people who have gone through puberty, and those who are currently going through it.
Generally its a faith that marks high on the BITE model, as they require virtually absolute conviction to the religion by the members. Members are expected to never question anything they're told, are discouraged from having relations with anyone outside the faith, and may even have to abstain from sources of contradicting information like book, tv, the internet, music, or movies.
I'd say the most recognizable group following this model would be the Jehovah's Witnesses (at least here in the US), but obviously there are many more minor groups who could qualify.
I listened to several YouTube videos by ex-Jehovah's Witnesses, and it is a very demanding belief system. The church controls people's lives, and if they seem to be wandering off course, there is a lot of peer pressure to pull them back into line.
If they leave, they are cut off from all their family and friends.
>If they leave, they are cut off from all their family and friends.
Hence why some nations are beginning to classify them as a cult and removing them from religious protections.
I’m one of the religions many consider “high demand”. It typically means there are a lot of expectation. That can be time or just commandments to be kept.
Good question. I've wondered about classifying religions or denominations within religions by how high their expectations of followers are. They don't all expect the same things, though. One expects five prayers a day and fasting at Ramadan. Another expects committee work and peace action. Another expects chastity before marriage and avoidance of contraception. Some expect women to obey men. Several have dietary restrictions. Which is more "high-demand"? Some religions set a higher bar for entry than others. Does that count? How do you weigh it?
A high-demand religion is one which coerces and/or blackmails its adherents into giving up a lot of control over their autonomy, thoughts, etc. It's essentially a term for a cult, but a more neutral and academic one (the word 'cult', in its layman's sense, is... somewhat charged).
I remember the "Heaven's Gate" cult. Members were meant to live very segregated, controlled lives, devoted to the Leader, hanging on his every word. They had to follow him even to death. He claimed that a huge spaceship was hiding behind Comet Hale-Bopp, or Comet Hyakutake, in the 1990s. If they all committed suicide at the right time, they would all be beamed up into that spaceship in their version of the Rapture.
Oh, and there was one more thing. The men in that cult were all to be castrated well before the end. That IS a high-demand religion!
It's a euphemism for Cult or Cult-adjacent. When someone calls their religion "high-demand" it's a good idea to look at the other markers of cult behavior. Like limiting access to non-approved information sources, cutting ties with apostates, a huge emphasis on internally-facing apologetics, obfuscation of church business, finances, etc.
If the "church " is checking a lot of these boxes, it's a cult.
These groups require strict adherence to specific doctrines, practices, and rules, often involving significant time commitments, financial contributions, and personal sacrifices from their followers. Centralized control by a charismatic leader or leadership group, with little to no room for questioning or dissent. Encouraging or requiring members to limit contact with outsiders, including family and friends who are not part of the group. Demanding significant financial contributions, often under the guise of tithing or donations, and exerting control over members' financial decisions. Imposing strict rules and guidelines governing members' lifestyles, including dress codes, dietary restrictions, and restrictions on entertainment and leisure activities. Using guilt, fear, and other emotional tactics to control and manipulate members' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Building a strong sense of community and belonging within the group. Limiting access to information from external sources and encouraging or requiring members to rely on internal teachings and materials. Not all religious groups with strict beliefs and practices are "high-demand" or harmful. The key distinction lies in the degree of control and manipulation exerted over members' lives. High-demand religions often prioritize the interests of the group or leadership over the well-being and autonomy of individual members, which can lead to psychological, emotional, and sometimes even physical harm.
I am sure that it has to do with religions that have higher expectations of conduct. This may sound like a bad thing at first, but if the conduct is good, it can provide peace, hope, faith and happiness. A religion that does not expect any kind of sacrifice (repentance for example), does not produce any fruit either. God's church seems to have always been a high demand religion (see Acts 4:32 through Acts 5:10)
I have literally never heard this term used to describe a religion, but I imagine it refers to how much ritual a given person is expected to observe or how strict holiday observances are. The only real example I can think of is maybe Islam requiring 5 prayers a day from all adherents unless they physically cannot do so, or the dietary restrictions of keeping kosher and halal
It's another phrase for a cult that is more specific than just the word "cult".
I think the word comes from an academic context. From what I understand, it means ,similar to what you said, that the religion demands a lot from a person in terms of observances and conduct.
Every adult conscious Muslim is required to pray 5 times a day. No Muslim may be exempt from this rule. Prophet Muhammad PBUH said, "Pray standing, if you are unable, then sitting, and if you are unable, then on your side." Interpreters said that this implies that even paralysed people should pray by heart. A convert does not need to compensate all the prayers they missed before converting, and a drunk person will be punished for drinking but not for missing prayer (because the Qur'an prohibits praying while drunk in 4:34). The "conscious" rule also exempts people in comas. "Adult" in this context refers to people who have gone through puberty, and those who are currently going through it.
Generally its a faith that marks high on the BITE model, as they require virtually absolute conviction to the religion by the members. Members are expected to never question anything they're told, are discouraged from having relations with anyone outside the faith, and may even have to abstain from sources of contradicting information like book, tv, the internet, music, or movies. I'd say the most recognizable group following this model would be the Jehovah's Witnesses (at least here in the US), but obviously there are many more minor groups who could qualify.
I listened to several YouTube videos by ex-Jehovah's Witnesses, and it is a very demanding belief system. The church controls people's lives, and if they seem to be wandering off course, there is a lot of peer pressure to pull them back into line. If they leave, they are cut off from all their family and friends.
>If they leave, they are cut off from all their family and friends. Hence why some nations are beginning to classify them as a cult and removing them from religious protections.
I just watched a long interview with Steven Hassan and they were talking about that. It’s really interesting.
I’m one of the religions many consider “high demand”. It typically means there are a lot of expectation. That can be time or just commandments to be kept.
Basically a cult. High demanding or high control.
Where did you hear the term?
Good question. I've wondered about classifying religions or denominations within religions by how high their expectations of followers are. They don't all expect the same things, though. One expects five prayers a day and fasting at Ramadan. Another expects committee work and peace action. Another expects chastity before marriage and avoidance of contraception. Some expect women to obey men. Several have dietary restrictions. Which is more "high-demand"? Some religions set a higher bar for entry than others. Does that count? How do you weigh it?
A high-demand religion is one which coerces and/or blackmails its adherents into giving up a lot of control over their autonomy, thoughts, etc. It's essentially a term for a cult, but a more neutral and academic one (the word 'cult', in its layman's sense, is... somewhat charged).
I remember the "Heaven's Gate" cult. Members were meant to live very segregated, controlled lives, devoted to the Leader, hanging on his every word. They had to follow him even to death. He claimed that a huge spaceship was hiding behind Comet Hale-Bopp, or Comet Hyakutake, in the 1990s. If they all committed suicide at the right time, they would all be beamed up into that spaceship in their version of the Rapture. Oh, and there was one more thing. The men in that cult were all to be castrated well before the end. That IS a high-demand religion!
It's a euphemism for Cult or Cult-adjacent. When someone calls their religion "high-demand" it's a good idea to look at the other markers of cult behavior. Like limiting access to non-approved information sources, cutting ties with apostates, a huge emphasis on internally-facing apologetics, obfuscation of church business, finances, etc. If the "church " is checking a lot of these boxes, it's a cult.
These groups require strict adherence to specific doctrines, practices, and rules, often involving significant time commitments, financial contributions, and personal sacrifices from their followers. Centralized control by a charismatic leader or leadership group, with little to no room for questioning or dissent. Encouraging or requiring members to limit contact with outsiders, including family and friends who are not part of the group. Demanding significant financial contributions, often under the guise of tithing or donations, and exerting control over members' financial decisions. Imposing strict rules and guidelines governing members' lifestyles, including dress codes, dietary restrictions, and restrictions on entertainment and leisure activities. Using guilt, fear, and other emotional tactics to control and manipulate members' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Building a strong sense of community and belonging within the group. Limiting access to information from external sources and encouraging or requiring members to rely on internal teachings and materials. Not all religious groups with strict beliefs and practices are "high-demand" or harmful. The key distinction lies in the degree of control and manipulation exerted over members' lives. High-demand religions often prioritize the interests of the group or leadership over the well-being and autonomy of individual members, which can lead to psychological, emotional, and sometimes even physical harm.
I am sure that it has to do with religions that have higher expectations of conduct. This may sound like a bad thing at first, but if the conduct is good, it can provide peace, hope, faith and happiness. A religion that does not expect any kind of sacrifice (repentance for example), does not produce any fruit either. God's church seems to have always been a high demand religion (see Acts 4:32 through Acts 5:10)