Religious and Spiritual Organizations in Conway hold discussions, worship services and other activities. Following each section is a very brief and general statement to help visitors understand the basis of belief for each grouping. Please visit each individual page for a more specific description of each organization's views and practices.
Conway is home to many churches {{how many???}}, and the majority of these are Christian. However, diversity in Conway is growing, and other faiths (and groups for those who do not believe in the supernatural) are also represented.
See also: Student Organizations, under Spiritual, for student organizations that may meet on campus and are approved by SPAC. You may also be interested in Recovering From Spiritual Abuse.
Buddhist
Buddhism is based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, and is typically divided into two main branches: Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism. The goal of Buddhist practice is to end the cycle of rebirth through realization of true reality and thereby achieve nirvana. Some describe Buddhism as a philosophy rather than a religion because it holds forth neither a single or multiple god-like beings.
Christian
Christianity is based on a belief in one God and Jesus of Nazareth as Christ, the son of God, or at least that he is to be followed.
Assemblies of God
Baptist
Catholic
There are no Eastern Rite Catholic churches in Conway, so those observing the Eastern traditions must go to Little Rock. Roman Catholics may receive communion here, as the Byzantine Catholic churches are in full communion with Rome. Generally services (called Divine Liturgy) are in English, yet their liturgical traditions are based in traditions of the Ancient near-east. The church liturgy is virtually indentical to corresponding Orthodox tradition, and while most are considered 'autonomous' self-governing churches, they recognize the Bishop of Rome (Pope of Rome) as the head of the Universal Church.
The Church of Christ, Scientist
Christian Scientists believe in one, infinite God who is All and all-good. They believe that God is not distant and unknowable, but that God is all-encompassing and always present, and that each individual is loved by God, cared for by Him, and made in God’s image — spiritual, not material. Christian Scientists believe in the Bible and in Christ Jesus as the Son of God, or promised Messiah. And they believe that Jesus’ teachings and healing work expressed scientific Christianity, or the application of the laws of God—laws which are still practical and provable today, by anyone, anywhere. Christian Scientists consider the Commandments, as well as Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, to be central to their lives and practice of Christianity.
Episcopal
Jehovah's Witnesses
- Jehovah's Witnesses needs more information here.
Lutheran
Methodist
Mormon
Nondenominational & Evangelical Christians
Eastern Orthodox
Orthodox Christianity is one of most practiced forms of Christianity in the world. Although there are many different ethnic Orthodox in America, all practice the same religion and Traditions handed down from the Apostles nearly unabridged and unchanged. There are no Orthodox Christian Churches in Conway, so the nearest churches for those observing the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Traditions are in Little Rock and surrounding areas.
Oriental Orthodox
Presbyterian (USA)
Quaker
Reformed
Seventh-Day Adventist
Discordian
Hinduism
In the formal sense, it is generally agreed that no Hindu temples exist in Conway. However, there are places in Conway where yoga, one of the six major philosophical schools of Hinduism, is practiced within at least somewhat of a Hindu spiritual context. Yoga means to unite or yoke the individual consciousness with cosmic consciousness. It is traditionally concerned with spiritual, mental and physical aspects. However, yoga instruction in the United States often underplays the Hindu spiritual elements in order to attract a more diverse following. Many Western students are primarily interested in the practical health and mental benefits of yoga while ignoring the spiritual, a position which is almost unthinkable in its country of origin.
Please list yoga organizations that prominently feature Hindu (as opposed to Buddhist, Jain or secular) characteristics:
Interfaith
Islamic
Islam is a monotheistic religion that believes in the total submission to God of one's self and that Muhammad is the chief and last prophet sent by God.
Conway Islamic Center is located on South Blvd near UCA Campus. Connected to the Muslim Students Association on campus and hosts events in conjunction with the group. Friday Prayer: 1:15-1:45 pm .. Prayer schedule for other days is unknown.
Jewish
Judaism is a monotheistic religion that has its roots in Israel and is mostly practiced by Jews. Jews believe Abraham to be the patriarch of their religion and uphold the moral principles of the Hebrew Scriptures and the prophets.
Pagan
There are various types of pagans, wiccans, and witches in Conway and the surrounding areas. Pagans aren't Satanists, they believe the divine is present in all creation and tend to be polytheistic (worshiping multiple deities), including both masculine and feminine aspects. Pagans generally don't proselytize, although occasionally they may hold events that are open to the public.
Pagans typically worship singularly as solitary practitioners or as groups in Covens. Covens generally require an interviewing and sometimes even apprentice-ship before interested parties are allowed to join. Other covens are considered to be open or teaching covens and they welcome interested parties to join and learn.
Some Local Covens:
Some Local Resources:
Scientologist
Scientology is a religion created by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, based on the principles of a practice called Dianetics.
Sikh
Universalist
Universalism is a tradition that has grown out of many of the world's religions. It rejects dogmatic approaches and seeks universal philosophies of religion. Some remnant of the originating religion tends to be carried through to modern practitioners, but adherents to universalist beliefs tend to be diverse in background and accept a wide range of beliefs within their members.
Baha'i Faith
Bahá'ís believe in a single God, and embrace prophets of other major religions, such as Jesus, Buddha, and Krishna. Bahá'ís believe that Bahá’u’lláh is our current prophet and his teachings are the basis of the Bahá’í Faith, whose primary aim is the unity of mankind.
New Thought
New Thought is a late 19th century universalist movement. Common to most New Thought spiritual groups are a belief in metaphysical powers such as healing and positive thought.
Unity
Unity honors the many spiritual paths, teaches universal spiritual principles taught and demonstrated by Jesus, Buddha, and other enlightened master teachers of other faiths.
Religious Science
Unitarian Universalist
Unitarian Universalism is a non-creedal religion with members from a variety of religious and non-religious traditions.
Yoga
Yoga (from Sanskrit योग “yoking, union”) is a spiritual-mental-physical philosophy and practice.
Other
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Agnostic & Atheist
Agnosticism is the belief that there is no evidence or insufficient evidence that God exists.
Atheism is the lack of belief that gods exist.
