Concise Dictionary of Religion | ||
ESOTERIC:
from the Greek term meaning "inner" or "hidden." Today it refers to secret teachings which either belong to secret societies or lie behind the official BELIEFS which a religious group proclaim to the world. Thus many NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS are based upon claims that they and they alone know the "true" meaning of a religious teacher's message and that the apparent teaching conceals its real meaning.
Concise Dictionary of Religion | ||