Cults in America: A Reference Handbook

by James R. Lewis

Since the early 1970s, alternative religious movements known as cults have been the focus of ever-increasing controversy in America. Cults in A Reference Handbook compares present-day cults to events in earlier American history, focusing on cults as a contemporary phenomenon. The key issue of mind control is covered, overviews of the most controversial churches, and biographies of their leaders are prominent features of this book. Legislative efforts and court decisions, particularly those surrounding the issue of religious liberty, are covered in detail.

Cults in America features a directory of organizations in both the United States and Europe, a selected bibliography, print and nonprint resources, a chronology with the dates of religious events in American history, and coverage of events such as the Solar Temple and Heaven's Gate incidents.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction

240 pages, Library Binding

First published December 1, 1996

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at various cults in the US and abroad. A little dated but a good read for somebody interested in the subject.