Apologetics simply means “defending the faith,” or standing up for your beliefs and stating why you believe what you do. Below is a listing of some faiths and what they believe, teach and practice. These summaries are by no means exhaustive; they are just meant to give a brief overview of these various belief systems. The sources of information on these groups vary from their own literature and scriptures to conversations with adherents, apologetics specialists and in some cases, cult watch and hate watch groups.
Christian apologetics is the both the science and art of answering questions by using reasons and evidence. The word apologetics first appears in the New Testament in 1 Peter 3:15 where the Apostle Peter addressed early Christians in Asia Minor (a Roman province) who were suffering persecution because of their faith in Christ. He writes, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” Within this one verse, Christian apologetics is summarized nicely.
- Church of Scientology
- United Church of God
- Christian Science
- The New Age Movement
- The Masonic Lodge (Freemasonry)
- Kabbalah
- Emerging Church
- The Christian Identity Movement
- Black Hebrew Israelites
- Liberation Theology
- Jehovah’s Witnesses
- Shepherd’s Chapel
- Mormons (LDS)
- Seventh Day Adventists
- Islam: General Overview
- Islam: Letter to a Muslim Friend
- The Hebrew Roots Movement
- Baha’i
- Oneness Pentecostalism
- Roman Catholicism
- Roman Catholicism: The Mary Mystery
- Judaism