Comprehensive spectrum of belief systems and spiritual movements

 

Comprehensive Spectrum of Belief Systems & Spiritual Movements

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I. Orthodox & Mainstream True Religion

(These are widely practiced, historically established faiths.)

1. Christianity

Traits: Faith in Jesus Christ, salvation by grace, Bible as authority.

Examples: Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Protestant denominations.

Major false belief systems: 

2. Islam

Traits: Monotheistic, submission to Allah, Quran as ultimate authority, Five Pillars.

Examples: Sunni, Shia, Sufi traditions.

3. Buddhism

Traits: Non-theistic focus on enlightenment, meditation, karma, and the Four Noble Truths.

Examples: Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana.

4. Hinduism

Traits: Polytheistic, dharma and karma, cycles of reincarnation, yoga, rituals.

Examples: Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism.

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II. Occult, Esoteric, and Mystical Systems

(Focus on hidden knowledge, magic, or mystical practices.)

1. Occult & Esoteric Traditions

Traits: Secret teachings, ritual magic, mystical wisdom, initiatory systems.

Examples: Gnosticism, Rosicrucianism, ceremonial magic groups, Hermeticism.

2. New Age / Syncretic Spirituality

Traits: Self-actualization, energy work, universal consciousness, spiritual eclecticism.

Examples: Reiki, crystal healing, Unity Church, New Thought movements.

3. Gnostic / Mystical Christian Hybrids

Traits: Salvation through secret knowledge, allegorical interpretation of Scripture.

Examples: Modern Gnostic Christianity, Christian Kabbalah.

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III. Cults & High-Control Groups

(Socially controlling, often centered on leaders or apocalyptic ideology.)

1. Authoritarian / Leader-Centric Cults

Traits: Charismatic leader, unquestioning obedience, exclusive truth claims.

Examples: Jim Jones’ People’s Temple, David Koresh’s Branch Davidians.

2. High-Control / Psychological Cults (Secular or Religious)

Traits: Isolation, emotional manipulation, strict rules, fear-based control.

Examples: NXIVM, Heaven’s Gate, certain authoritarian ministries.

3. Apocalyptic & Conspiratorial Movements

Traits: Impending doom, survival depends on following the group, fear-driven recruitment.

Examples: Doomsday cults, Heaven’s Gate.

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IV. Pseudo-Religious or Hybrid Systems

(Blend of religions, distorted doctrines, or mystical reinterpretations.)

1. Prosperity / Word-Faith Christianity

Traits: Material blessing as proof of faith, overemphasis on positive confession.

Examples: Kenneth Copeland Ministries, certain Word-Faith churches.

2. Syncretic / New Thought Systems

Traits: Merge Christian language with non-Christian spirituality for self-empowerment.

Examples: Religious Science, Unity Church.

3. Pseudo-Religious Hybrids

Traits: Claim religion but mix spiritual, mystical, or magical elements.

Examples: Hare Krishna, Aum Shinrikyo, Church of Satan (philosophical/religious hybrid).

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V. Other World Religions & Spiritual Practices

1. Satanism

Traits: Varies: philosophical (LaVeyan), theistic (devil worship), symbolic rebellion.

Examples: Church of Satan, Temple of Set.

2. Agnosticism / Atheism

Traits: No commitment to theism; atheism denies God, agnosticism suspends judgment.

Examples: Secular humanism, rational skepticism.

3. Afro-Diasporic / African Traditional Religions

Traits: Ancestor veneration, spirits, rituals, community-focused practices.

Examples: Yoruba, Vodou, Santería, Candomblé.

4. Native American / Indigenous Spiritualities

Traits: Animism, reverence for nature, ancestor spirits, ritual ceremonies.

Examples: Lakota, Navajo, Hopi spiritual practices.

5. Ancestor Worship / Spirit Cults

Traits: Reverence for deceased ancestors as active in daily life; rituals and offerings.

Examples: Confucian filial ancestor veneration, Chinese folk religion, African ancestral cults.

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VI. Legalistic or Misguided Systems

(Behavior-focused, rules-heavy, or works-based systems.)

1. Legalistic / Works-Oriented Religions

Traits: Obsession with rules and rituals, pride in adherence, minimal grace focus.

Examples: Pharisaical-style sects, some extreme holiness or separatist movements.

2. Doctrinally Heretical Sects (Christian & Non-Christian)

Traits: Fundamental distortion of core theology, extra-scriptural teachings.

Examples: Jehovah’s Witnesses, Oneness Pentecostals, certain pseudo-Christian Gnostic sects.

5. Judaism

Traits: Monotheistic, Torah as law and guidance, covenant with God.

Examples: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Hasidic.

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This gives us a comprehensive framework that spans:

Orthodox religion → false teachings → cultish systems → occult & mystical practices → secular frameworks → indigenous and ancestral spirituality.

[Orthodox Religion] ----------------- [Hybrid / Pseudo-Religious] ----------------- [Occult / Esoteric / Mystical] ----------------- [Cults / High-Control] ----------------- [Secular / Atheist / Agnostic]

1. Orthodox / Mainstream True Religion

   - Christianity (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox)

  

2. Legalistic / Misguided / Doctrinally Deviant:

   - Legalistic Christian sects

   - Jehovah’s Witnesses, Oneness Pentecostals

   - Extreme Holiness / Separatist groups

-   Judaism

3. Hybrid / Pseudo-Religious:

   - Word-Faith / Prosperity movements

   - New Thought / Unity Church / Religious Science

   - Hare Krishna, Aum Shinrikyo

   - Gnostic-inspired Christian groups

4. Occult / Esoteric / Mystical:

   - Gnosticism

   - Rosicrucians

   - Theosophy

   - Ceremonial Magic

   - Christian Kabbalah

5. Cults / High-Control Groups:

   - Jim Jones’ People’s Temple

   - David Koresh / Branch Davidians

   - NXIVM

   - Heaven’s Gate

   - Authoritarian prophetic ministries

   - Apocalyptic doomsday groups

6. Secular / Non-Theistic / Alternative Spiritualities:

   - Atheism / Agnosticism

   - Secular humanism

   - Philosophical Satanism (LaVeyan)

   - Afro-Diasporic / African Traditional Religions (Vodou, Santería)

   - Native American / Indigenous Spiritualities

   - Ancestor veneration / folk religions

7. Major false belief systems: 

• - Islam (Sunni, Shia)

•    - Buddhism (Theravada, Mahayana)

•    - Hinduism

Orthodox Christianity & World Religions

| Legalistic / Deviant Sects

| Hybrid / Pseudo-Religious Movements

| Occult / Esoteric / Mystical Systems

| High-Control / Cultish Groups

| Secular, Non-Theistic & Indigenous Spiritualities

slave to the Shadows in me

Slave to the Shadows of me

By telle wild rose ©️ 2025

Song: citizen soldier devil inside

I just can't shake it 

Stakes are high and she beckons

Calls me home again 

Down here where the darkness reigns 

Rules over me forever 

John 1:5 ESV / 668 helpful votes 

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Acts 26:18 ESV / 465 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

John 8:12 ESV / 443 helpful votes 

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Encouragement: you are not the darkness of your memories or the darkness the devil brings. You are a child of light. Take care.

the shield and the sword: a poem

The shield and the sword 

By telle wild rose ©️ 

2025

Theme song: memories by within temptation 

Most of my memories fade to black

I can't recall any of them anymore, see

But there's one that remains through the crack

A lover, a friend, a foe and enemy

For she is all of these things and more to me

She holds the key to my heart

With the power to uplift or destroy,

And this is just the start

I'm just a game, a damaged toy

How I tremble at the memory of you

Your love cuts deep bleeding the red 

Caught between freedom and the chains of you

And I confess I can't get you out of my head. 

I don't know what to do

Give in and be in sin,

Or resist and lead on to the healing too

The blade wants to cut the skin

"She" isn't a person though she makes play as one,

The art imitating life but she doesn't breath

She ice old steel and hard as stone, that one

She longs to get to what lies beneath 

But she doesn't know there's been a shift

A change in the atoms that make me up

I've been born from Above if you catch my drift 

I no longer blend drinking holiness and darkness's cup. 

I fight my battles with a different knife

The sword of the Spirit the word of God

She can and will come knocking at the door of strife,

But my will to survive will answer with all I've got. 

Ephesians 6:16-17

King James Version

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Encouragent: don't give in. Even when temptation comes knocking. Even when the nenories of yesterday creep up. Even when darkness presses in on every side. You're much stronger than you think. Better equipped too. Keep fighting. Heaven fights with you.

 

The Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Benefits of Roleplay — Especially for Christians

When most people hear “roleplay,” they think of tabletop games, acting exercises, or even team-building activities. But roleplay can be a surprisingly powerful tool for personal growth, healing, and spiritual development. For Christians, it can become a meaningful practice that strengthens faith and deepens relationships with God and others.

Mental & Emotional Benefits

1. Stress Relief & Emotional Processing
Studies show that engaging in creative play significantly reduces stress and anxiety. A 2020 study from the Journal of Positive Psychology found that people who regularly engaged in imaginative activities reported 28% lower stress levels compared to those who did not. Roleplay allows people to externalize feelings, process emotions, and “try on” different perspectives in a safe space.

2. Building Empathy & Social Skills
Roleplay enhances emotional intelligence. According to research from the American Psychological Association, people who engage in perspective-taking exercises such as roleplay experience 23% improvements in conflict resolution skills and increased empathy. For Christians, this mirrors Philippians 2:4 — “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

3. Confidence & Problem-Solving
Roleplay scenarios help participants practice handling challenges. A Frontiers in Psychology survey (2019) revealed that roleplay-based learning improved participants’ problem-solving confidence by 31%. Mentally, this builds resilience; emotionally, it nurtures a sense of capability.

Spiritual Benefits for Christians

1. Engaging with Scripture in a New Way
Roleplay can bring Bible stories to life. Instead of only reading about David’s courage or Esther’s faith, roleplay allows believers to step into their shoes and wrestle with the same decisions. This deepens understanding and makes spiritual truths tangible.

2. Practicing Discipleship & Spiritual Discernment
Christians are called to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). Roleplay creates opportunities to rehearse responses to moral and ethical dilemmas, training hearts and minds to respond with Christlike wisdom.

3. Safe Exploration of Identity in Christ
Many believers struggle with self-worth or identity. Roleplay can provide a safe outlet to “practice” being bold in faith, sharing the gospel, or overcoming fear. Over time, these rehearsals strengthen real-world courage and confidence in Christ.

4. Strengthening Community
Shared roleplay in groups (such as Christian tabletop RPGs or Bible story dramatizations) fosters fellowship, accountability, and shared joy. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us to “stir up one another to love and good works… encouraging one another.” Roleplay is one creative way to do this.

Conclusion

Roleplay is more than “pretend” — it’s practice for real life. Mentally, it helps with stress, empathy, and confidence. Emotionally, it gives space to process and connect. Spiritually, it offers Christians unique opportunities to embody Scripture, strengthen discipleship, and build community.

Far from being frivolous, roleplay can be a tool God uses to shape believers into more compassionate, courageous, and Christ-centered people.

Practical Roleplay Exercises for Christians

If you’re curious about how roleplay might look in practice for Christians, here are some simple ways to get started. These exercises can be done solo, in small groups, or even in Bible study settings.

1. Biblical Character Roleplay

• How to do it: Choose a character from Scripture (e.g., Moses, Ruth, Peter). Read a passage where they faced a challenge. Then roleplay how you would respond if you were in their place.

• Spiritual Benefit: Helps internalize lessons of faith and obedience.

• Example Scripture: Exodus 3 (Moses at the burning bush). Try voicing Moses’ hesitations and God’s reassurances.

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2. Modern-Day Parable Roleplay

• How to do it: Pick one of Jesus’ parables and imagine it unfolding in today’s world. Assign roles (the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, etc.) and play out how those choices would look in modern life.

• Spiritual Benefit: Makes Scripture relevant and easier to apply in daily situations.

• Example Scripture: Luke 10:25–37 (The Good Samaritan). Roleplay what you would do if you saw someone in need today.

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3. Temptation & Discernment Scenarios

• How to do it: Create a real-life scenario where temptation arises (peer pressure, workplace dishonesty, gossip). Roleplay how to respond in a way that honors Christ.

• Spiritual Benefit: Prepares the heart to resist temptation in real life by practicing godly responses.

• Example Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13 — “God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability…”

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4. Roleplay Prayer & Encouragement

• How to do it: Pair up with someone. One person roleplays a believer struggling with doubt, grief, or fear. The other roleplays offering encouragement and prayer. Switch roles after.

• Spiritual Benefit: Strengthens compassion and teaches how to comfort others with Scripture.

• Example Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 — God comforts us so that we can comfort others.

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5. Evangelism Roleplay

• How to do it: One person plays the role of a non-believer asking hard questions about faith, while the other practices sharing the gospel with gentleness and respect.

• Spiritual Benefit: Builds confidence in witnessing and helps prepare for real-life conversations.

• Example Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15 — “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you…”

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Final Thought

Roleplay doesn’t replace living out our faith — it equips us for it. Just as athletes train before stepping onto the field, roleplay allows Christians to rehearse faith in action before facing life’s real challenges. With creativity, Scripture, and prayer, roleplay can become a powerful tool for discipleship, growth, and encouragement in the body of Christ.

ROLEPLAYING TOOLS: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1cIPW6sONeZtBkh8bYiV8RyLauIzPNN1k?usp=drive_link

compassionate human language terms of mental illness

Non-Clinical Terms for Common Mental Health Experiences

A Compassionate Language Guide

Compiled by Telle Wild Rose

Nonclinical tools link: LINK

Anxiety

- Nervousness

- Worrying a lot

- Overthinking

- Tense or on edge

- Jumpy

- Tight chest or racing heart

- Hard to relax

- Ruminating

- Feeling panicky

- Butterflies in stomach

- Feeling unsafe

Depression

- Heavy-hearted

- Feeling low

- Down in the dumps

- Sad a lot

- No motivation

- Emotionally numb

- Hopeless

- Crying often

- Drained

- Hard to get out of bed

- Tired all the time

- Empty inside

Trauma Responses

- Easily startled

- Shut down emotionally

- Flashbacks

- Can’t trust people

- Always on alert

- Avoids reminders

- Feels like it’s happening again

- Spacey or disconnected

- Feeling broken

- Stuck in survival mode

Anger & Irritability

- On a short fuse

- Snapping at people

- Feeling ragey

- Frustrated all the time

- Holding in too much

- Built-up stress

- Quick to explode

- Hard to calm down

Grief & Loss

- Heartache

- Missing someone deeply

- Numb with sorrow

- Waves of sadness

- Can’t stop thinking about them

- Overwhelmed by memories

- Tears come unexpectedly

Burnout & Exhaustion

- Running on empty

- Totally drained

- Can’t keep up

- Mentally fried

- Just surviving

- No energy left

- Tapped out

- Emotionally spent

Overstimulation & Sensory Overload

- Too much going on

- Can’t focus

- Sounds feel too loud

- Need quiet

- Everything feels too much

- Need to unplug

- Want to hide in silence

Mood Swings & Emotional Intensity

- Emotions all over the place

- Feeling everything too deeply

- Rollercoaster feelings

- Can’t explain why I’m crying

- Happy one moment, sad the next

- Up and down all day

Loneliness & Disconnection

- Feeling invisible

- Nobody gets me

- Alone even in a crowd

- Longing for connection

- Disconnected from others

- Feeling left out

- Unseen, unheard

Fear & Paranoia

- Can’t stop looking over my shoulder

- Feel like something bad is coming

- Hard to trust people

- Feel watched or judged

- Everything feels like a threat

Intrusive Thoughts or Voices

- Thoughts I don’t want

- Things pop into my head I didn’t ask for

- Voices in my head

- Feels like someone’s talking to me inside

- Unwanted mental noise

- Inner chatter I can’t shut off

Self-Esteem & Identity Struggles

- Don’t like myself

- Feel like I’m not enough

- Don’t know who I am anymore

- Ashamed of who I am

- Feel like a failure

- Hard to accept myself

Disconnection from Reality (Mild Dissociation)

- Floating feeling

- Watching myself from outside

- Everything feels unreal

- Zoned out

- Not fully here

- Spacey

- Dreamlike state

Obsessive or Repetitive Thinking

- Can’t stop checking

- Need things a certain way

- Stuck on one thought

- Looping thoughts

- Mind won’t let it go

- Do things over and over

September is suicide prevention month

Resharing My Book for Suicide Prevention Month

September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to bring awareness, break the silence, and extend hope to those who are hurting. This cause is deeply personal to me, which is why I want to take this opportunity to reshare my book with you.

When I first wrote it, my heart was to speak into the pain that so many silently carry—the feelings of loneliness, struggle, and searching for meaning. My prayer is that these words would serve as both a mirror and a light: a mirror that acknowledges real struggles, and a light that points toward healing, faith, and hope.

Suicide prevention is not just about statistics or awareness campaigns—it’s about people. People we know, people we love, and maybe even ourselves. If you are walking through dark moments, I want you to know: you are not alone. Your life has purpose, and your story is still unfolding.

This month, I’m resharing my book not only as a resource, but also as a reminder: that in the hardest valleys, there is still hope, and that God’s love reaches into the deepest places of our pain.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. Talk to a friend, a counselor, or call the suicide prevention hotline (988 in the U.S.). One conversation can truly save a life.

I invite you to read, share, and most importantly—hold onto hope.

✨ Here’s the link to my book: [insert link]

Together, let’s spread awareness, compassion, and light this September. 💛

Link to download the book: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yJJCtG_17omlSDVOczHHgrQR76wpR4Dz/view?usp=drive_link

Link to other grit and grace works you may be interested in: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iBtx21vCU1dF1ZxwB8WpVNn4uEvllJiC?usp=sharing

statistics about suicide: 

Suicide Statistics in the United States

Suicide is a major public health crisis in America. Here are some sobering facts:

• Overall: In 2022, over 49,000 people died by suicide in the U.S.—the highest number ever recorded. That’s about 1 death every 11 minutes.

• Attempts: More than 12 million adults reported serious thoughts of suicide in the past year, and about 1.6 million attempts were documented.

• Gender:

  • Men die by suicide nearly 4 times more often than women.

  • Women, however, are more likely to attempt suicide than men.

• Race/Ethnicity:

  • White Americans account for the largest number of suicide deaths overall.

  • Native American/Alaska Native communities have the highest suicide rate per capita, especially among youth and young adults.

  • Suicide rates among Black Americans and Hispanic/Latino populations have been rising in recent years, showing concerning trends.

• Age: Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10–34 in the U.S.

Behind each number is a life, a story, and loved ones left behind. These statistics remind us that awareness, prevention, and compassionate support are urgent and necessary.

What Goes Unreported

While official numbers give us a snapshot, they don’t tell the whole story. Suicide is often underreported for several reasons:

• Stigma and Shame: Families and communities sometimes report a suicide as an “accident” or “undetermined cause” because of cultural, religious, or personal stigma.

• Medical Coding: Coroners or medical examiners may rule deaths as accidental overdoses, car crashes, or other causes, even if suicide was likely.

• Cultural Barriers: In some communities, mental health struggles aren’t openly discussed, making both attempts and deaths less likely to be documented accurately.

• Non-Fatal Attempts: For every death, there are many more attempts that never make it into official statistics, especially if someone doesn’t seek medical care.

Experts believe the true number of suicide deaths and attempts is significantly higher than reported. This makes prevention efforts even more urgent—because behind every statistic are countless untold stories.

The single Chronicles Poems by Telle WIld Rose

 🌹 Introducing My New Book: The Single Chronicles Poems 🌹

I am so excited to finally share my newest work with you—The Single Chronicles Poems, a collection straight from the deepest parts of my journey with singleness.

This book is more than just poetry—it’s my heart on paper. It walks through the stages of grief as they are experienced in singleness: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and ultimately, acceptance. Each stage carries its own raw honesty, tears, questions, and breakthroughs.

For me, singleness has not been a simple season to endure, but a battle to wrestle with, a cross to carry, and ultimately, a gift to surrender to God. These poems reflect the struggle of longing, the ache of loneliness, and the freedom I’ve discovered in finding my wholeness in Him alone.

💔 When I felt invisible, I wrote.
🔥 When I wrestled with anger, I wrote.
🙏 When I bargained, broke, and finally surrendered, I wrote.

And now, I am offering these words to you.

Whether you are single, waiting, widowed, divorced, or simply walking through your own season of unmet expectations, my prayer is that these poems will speak to your soul and remind you that you are not alone. There is beauty even here. There is purpose even in this season. And most of all—there is a God who sees, loves, and holds you in every stage.

✨ The Single Chronicles Poems is for anyone who has ever felt the weight of loneliness and wondered if God still writes beautiful stories with broken pieces.

📖 I invite you to read, reflect, and maybe even find your own heart tucked inside these verses.

With love & grace,
Telle Wild Rose

September 1, 2025 

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