Cults and World Religions is an apologetics class to help acquaint Christians with several of the major religious groups that one will likely encounter from time to time. This course will embrace two major kinds of topics: (1) cults, and (2) major world religions. The former consists primarily of religious groups that claim some type of significant identification with Jesus, but deviate substantially from biblical Christianity. These groups will generally have their authority based on the teachings of one particular individual. These groups will generally claim belief in the Bible but look in practice to some alternative book(s) of authority as the real source(s) of spiritual authority.Classic examples include Mormonism and Jehovah Witnesses.World religions (as intended in this usage) would be those religions that do not claim such a high level of commitment to Jesus as do some of the cultic groups. These groups may (and often do) make statements that suggest a favorable view of Jesus. However, these groups have faith systems that are generally very different than Christianity. Some illustrations might include religions like Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, etc.