Niscience
Niscience is a religious movement of the United States. Its parent organization, the Ann Ree Colton Foundation of Niscience, was founded in 1953 by Ann Ree Colton.[1] It is characterized as a combination of Christianity and New Age spirituality, and combines the teachings of Jesus Christ with an engagement with meditation.[2]
Overview
The Ann Ree Colton Foundation of Niscience, located in Glendale, California, was co-founded in 1953 by Ann Ree Colton and her husband Jonathan Murro.[3][4]
The Niscience website states that Niscience is based upon the teachings of "Jesus, the Bible, and other sacred scriptures of the East and the West.[5]
After Colton's death in 1984 Murro ran the foundation until he committed suicide in November 1991. After his death the Los Angeles Times, describing Niscience as "an obscure Glendale-based religious group", wrote that "several former members--including one who had sat on the board of directors--recently sent open letters to church adherents, calling Niscience an oppressive, deceptive cult, and urging members to leave. Membership reportedly numbers several hundred."[6]
References
- ↑ Melton, J. Gordon (1978). Encyclopedia of American Religions. 2. Wilmington, NC: McGrath. pp. 171–2. OCLC 301461156.
- ↑ Walker, James K. (2007). The Concise Guide to Today's Religions and Spirituality: Includes Hundreds of Definitions of: Contemporary Religions; Sects, Cults, and Occult Organizations; Alternative Spiritual Beliefs; Christian Denominations; Leaders, Teachings. Harvest House. p. 238. ISBN 9780736920117.
- ↑ "About the Founders: Ann Ree Colton and Jonathan Murro". niscience.org. Ann Ree Colton Foundation of Niscience. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
- ↑ Melton's Encyclopedia of American Religions. – via HighBeam Research (subscription required) . 2009.
- ↑ "Niscience: The Next Step". niscience.org. Ann Ree Colton Foundation of Niscience. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
- ↑ Kazmin, Amy Louise (14 November 1991). "Leader's suicide stuns church : Some Niscience Foundation members say minister was grieving over charges he led a cult and stole money". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
External links
- "Ann Ree Colton Foundation of Niscience website".
- Biederman, Patricia Ward (11 June 1992). "Dancer's movements express her anguish: Arts: Former cult member Donna Sternberg will appear in the premiere of a work based on her painful break with a New Age religious group". Los Angeles Times.