Apocalypse Observed: Religious Movements and Violence in North America, Europe and Japan

by John R. Hall, Philip D. Schuyler, Sylvaine Trinh

Apocalypse Observed is about religious violence. By analyzing five of the most notorious cults of recent years, the authors present a fascinating and revealing account of religious sects and conflict. Cults covered

* the apocalypse at Jonestown
* the Branch Davidians at Waco
* the violent path of Aum Shinrikyo
* the mystical apocalypse of the Solar Temple
* the mass suicide of Heaven's Gate.

Through comparative case studies and in-depth analysis, the authors show how religious violence can erupt not simply from the beliefs of the cult followers or the personalities of their leaders, but also from the way in which society responds to the cults in its midst.

244 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are interested in cults, alternative religion, or non-mainstream beliefs and how these things are connected to apocalyptic thought and its place in contemporary America, you will love this book. Knowledge of the basic concepts of sociology and religious studies may be helpful going in (since the book is fairly academic), however.