New Religious Movements: The Basics

by Joseph Laycock

New Religious Movements: The Basics is a concise and engaging introduction to the field of New Religious Movements (NRMs). Western culture is currently going through a wave of fascination with cults, with numerous documentaries and television series dedicated to describing these groups. Meanwhile, scholars have been wrestling with the intricacies of this loaded category for decades.

Introducing the reader to some of the key issues and debates in the field of NRM studies, this book includes discussions on:



how to define 'new religious movement' critically unpacking the term cult how to study NRMs brainwashing and deprogramming prophecy and failed prophecy charisma and authority NRMs and violence gender and sexuality This book is essential reading for students and scholars of religion who are approaching the study of NRMs for the first time as well as those interested in deepening their understanding of NRMs.

Genres: Religion

152 pages, Paperback

Published June 24, 2022

About the author

Joseph P. Laycock is an associate professor of religious studies at Texas State University. He teaches courses on world religions, religion in America, new religious movements, and the intersection of religion and popular culture.

He is the author of several books including The Penguin Book of Exorcisms, Speak of the Devil: How The Satanic Temple is Changing the Way We Talk About Religion, Dangerous Games: What the Moral Panic Over Role-Playing Games Says About Play, Religion, and Imagined Worlds and The Seer of Bayside: Veronica Lueken and the Struggle to Define Catholicism.

Reviews

[Violet · Rating 2 out of 5]

i know i should always try to meet the text where it's at, but laycock gave me very little new information in this volume.

[Jacob Stevenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a book I had to read for a university paper, I did find a good bit of enjoyment from it, its bogged down in a few chapters where it drags on definitions and repeats examples but overall was a fairly engaging and a nice quick read.

[Deirdre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid introductory primer. As I knew little about the topic, I found Laycock's text to be informative and easy to read.

[reina]

i mean, the title says it’s the basics and it’s the basics, so! can’t really complain!