Synopses & Reviews
Wherever and whenever they appear, new religious movements always produce conflict. Even as they attract members who enthusiastically embrace their innovative teachings, new religions often provoke strongly negative reactions—often because they challenge established notions of proper religious action, belief, and morality. Opponents of new religious movements often brand them as cults and urge their fellow citizens, their own religions, and even the government to take action against what they see as suspicious and potentially dangerous movements; the members often complain that their motives have been misconstrued and argue that their groups are unfairly persecuted.
The New Religious Movements Experience in America outlines the conflict between representatives of the status quo and new religions and examines how these groups appear both to their members and to their cultural opponents.
This work is ideal for anyone—students, parents, and teachers—who wish to gain a deeper understanding of new religious movements in America. New religions have always been part of the American religious landscape, and this book moves beyond the contemporary period to discuss examples of new religions that have originated, survived or died, and sometimes prospered throughout U. S. history. Among the groups discussed are the Mormons, the Peoples Temple, the Branch Davidians, Spiritualism, Theosophy, the Church Universal and Triumphant, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, the followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, Soka Gakkai, the Nation of Islam, Wiccans and neo-Pagans, the Church of Satan, the Church of Scientology, Heaven's Gate, and the Raelians. The New Religious Movements Experience in America includes a glossary and a list of resources for those interested in doing further research on the experience of the followers of new religions.
Review
For anyone curious about the scope and impact of alternative religions in our country, this serves as an excellent introduction....Recommended for all public libraries.Library Journal
Review
[A]n excellent guide, a recommended reference pick.MBR Bookwatch
Review
This book provides a thumb nail sketch of the history, beliefs, practices and interactions with the rest of the society for each of the religions discussed....It is the scope of the work and its clear engaging prose that make it particularly good for a course in New Religious Movements, Sociology of Religion, or American Studies. Its use as a text is enhanced be the inclusion of a glossary and a list of additional readings for each of the religions and topics discussed.Sociology of Religion
Review
This is an erudite and well-written book, designed to serve as a text for courses in new religious movements in modern American religions. The author combines a knowledge of social scientific research on new religious phenomena with a well-informed religious studies and theological perspective that is historically grounded....This book makes and excellent addition to available literature on new religions in America. The integration of various literatures on new religions recommends the book to several disciplines interested in the topic.Journal of Church and State
Synopsis
Wherever and whenever they appear, new religious movements always produce conflict. Even as they attract members who enthusiastically embrace their innovative teachings, new religions often provoke strongly negative reactions--often because they challenge established notions of proper religious action, belief, and morality. Opponents of new religious movements often brand them as "cults" and urge their fellow citizens, their own religions, and even the government to take action against what they see as suspicious and potentially dangerous movements; the members often complain that their motives have been misconstrued and argue that their groups are unfairly persecuted. The New Religious Movements Experience in America outlines the conflict between representatives of the status quo and new religions and examines how these groups appear both to their members and to their cultural opponents.
Synopsis
Examines how new religions have originated, survived or died, and sometimes prospered throughout U. S. history and what it's like to follow one of these spiritual practices
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
Groups within the Biblical Tradition
The New Age and its Antecedents
Eastern Groups and Gurus
Groups of Middle Eastern and African Origins
Neo-Paganism
New Foundations
Themes in the Study of New Religious Movements
Selected Resources for Further Study
Glossary