Comprehending Cults: The Sociology of New Religious Movements

by Lorne L. Dawson

Comprehending Cults , Second Edition, provides a sociological interpretation of the phenomenon of new religious movements. While the author does not offer an apologia for cults--in either a religious or a sociological sense--he does attempt to replace suspicion and misinformation with a greater knowledge of the facts (as best we know them) and a measure of sympathetic understanding.
Completely revised and updated in this second edition, the book examines all aspects of cults, while striving to delineate the very real limits of our knowledge. In addition to dealing with the troublesome aspects of the subject, including issues of violence, sexuality, and brainwashing, the author also considers the possibility that new religious movements are a source of spiritual satisfaction to their members. Offering up-to-date social science research about contemporary religious cults, Comprehending Cults , Second Edition, is ideal for undergraduate sociology of religion and new religious movements courses.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sociology, Religion, Anthropology, Read For School, Reference

272 pages, Paperback

First published December 3, 1998

Reviews

[Dani Kline · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
I had to read this for a sociology class I am taking on Cults and New Religious Movements. This book does a great job of providing information about the sociology behind cults/NRMs. However, Dawson's main goal seems to be to quash negative stereotypes about cults but in so doing it feels like biased writing, as if he included only research that would help his case. This book is also most definitely not a page turner and is overall heavy writing, but thankfully there is only about 200 pages to read.

[Sunshine_Honey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a class and I definitely would recommend it. It was a bit dense and dry at points (which is why it got 3 stars), but Dawson's work is very informative and brings about a new perspective to cults. This book will challenge the way that you view new religious movements. I would recommend it to anyone interested in cults or sociology as a whole.

[Estella Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a decent and informative read if it's something you're super invested in or studying. However if it's just a hobby there's a lot of thick information to read through. To each their own kind of read.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent research. Non-judgemental.

[Kevin M. Labadessa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dry textbook which defends many nefarious cults by insisting on calling them movements not cults. How anyone could go easy on David Bergs COG is incredible to me. If you enjoy literature on cults you won’t find anything new here.

[PsychoSchematics · Rating 3 out of 5]

Granted, the wording could use some work, but the "brainwashed" chapter was a refreshing perspective I hadn't found in six other books I have read on the subject. "Who Joins" also was a chapter that included pieces I had not found elsewhere. A perfect place to start for a sociological perspective. Generally free of strong pro or anti religious bias. Recommended.

[Adam Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough and balanced scholarly sociological examination of cults and NRMs, including why they form, the people who join them and why. The author is very skilled at summarizing theories on the subject. Putting this down for now, though, as this book is for someone with more background knowledge on the subject. I think I need something more expository--a historical survey, maybe.