It is significant that New Movements appear at a time of declining church membership, and, in the case of traditional Oriental religions, when the impact of secularism and consumerism is being felt for the first time. The Children of God would be an example of the first, Scientology of the second, and the Unification Church of the third. All offer a way of salvation in a hostile society, in a world of decay and alternative social relationships. Salvation might be achieved, for example, after initiation into the group and satisfying the group of one's commitment by giving away one's property. There is rigorous discipline and members may have to change their jobs or give up regular outside employment altogether.
Many movements have a charismatic leader and there is considerable overlap with guru movements .
Another debatable question is whether these movements are new religions in embryonic form and genuinely innovative, or whether they are outbreaks of fundamentalism drawing the alienated and secularized back to their roots. The majority of them grew up in the counter-culture of the 1960s and 1970s, achieving peak membership in the late 1970s. Most movements are now in a state of consolidation or crisis as a second-generation leadership is required. Today's new religious movement is often tomorrow's mainline denomination. However bizarre some examples may be their appeal is evidence of the continuing human need for faith to make sense of life, and the creativity of that faith.