Cults and New Religions: A Brief History

Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion

by Douglas E. Cowan, David G. Bromley

This unparalleled introduction to cults and new religious movements has been completely up-dated and expanded to reflect the latest developments; each chapter reviews the origins, leaders, beliefs, rituals and practices of a NRM, highlighting the specific controversies surrounding each group.

A fully updated, revised and expanded edition of an unparalleled introduction to cults and new religious movements Profiles a number of the most visible, significant, and controversial new religious movements, presenting each group’s history, doctrines, rituals, leadership, and organization Offers a discussion of the major controversies in which new religious movements have been involved, using each profiled group to illustrate the nature of one of those controversies Covers debates including what constitutes an authentic religion, the validity of claims of brainwashing techniques, the implications of experimentation with unconventional sexual practices, and the deeply rooted cultural fears that cults engender New sections include methods of studying new religions in each chapter as well as presentations on ‘groups to watch’

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, History, Reference

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 24, 2007

Reviews

[Martine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives an overview of some important new religions in an neutral and easy to read way. Each chapter describes a new religion, usually beginning with a concise biography of its founder and then places it within a controversy regarding new religions, thereby going further than mere overview into actual analyses. For instance, the first chapter on Scientology doesn't merely describe its origins and beliefs, but also explores why some people do or do not consider it a religion. In other chapters brainwashing, sexuality in cults, mass-media and violence are explored. Though the book sometimes focusses a bit too much on the downside of the media, it is a real asset to anyone interested in new religions and the Further Reading sections at the end of each chapter will surely direct you to even more good sources.

[Frankie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good overview of several new religious movements - one simultaneous pro & con is that the authors appear to take the religions on their own terms, rather than providing much critical analysis

[Isa Byrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read for a sects, cults, and violence class

[Yang Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book.

Compilation of essays on a few cults and new religions, including the Church of Scientology, Transcendental Meditation, Unificationism, The Family International etc. Each essay follows the general formula of: introduction, history of the leader and movements, influences, downfall/future, conclusion.

Informative and fun to read. Gives cults and new religion flesh and body, making them more relatable. Answers the question of "why would anybody with half a brain join that?".

Personally interested in the interaction between the media portrayal and the cult movements.

Will recommend anybody who's interested in the topic.

[Iman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book totally changed my point of view toward the issue of Cults and New Religions phenomenon. I started reading it just to cover a survey of history of cult, but the book offered a lot more, covering issues like the importance of a religious or spiritual phenomenon in a society or the role of the media in shaping and presenting them to people. It is totally unbiased and truly academic in its entirety, defining the advent, progress, and demise of some prominent new religious and spiritual movements. If you are interested in the subject, this is a great book to begin with.

[Jenna (Falling Letters) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wonder if the low overall rating of this book might be attributed to the fact that people are rating their idea of cults, rather than the book itself? This book is a great introduction to the subject of new religious movements from an academic perspective. Features a number of NRMs as 'case studies.' The authors are perhaps less critical than you might like them to be and the book is not exhaustive, but a good place to start out and then follow the 'further reading' list to learn more.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

from the library

Ch1 cults and new religions
ch2 scientology
ch3 tm
ch4 ramtha
ch5 unification church
ch6 children of god accusations of sex with and among children
ch7 branch davidians
ch8 heaven's gate
ch9 wicca and witchcraft
ch10 rethinking cults

I read ch9 lightly. it seemed ok. not prejudiced and not negative. should read well. read ch10 some and would like to read again.

[Jesss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gerald Gardner marries JZ Knight, and the pastor would be Sun Myung Moon. Location and witnesses The Church of Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard and David Burg... yeah right...