Cults and New Religions

A Brief History

Cowan, Douglas E. / Bromley, David G.

Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion

2. Edition June 2015
240 Pages, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd

ISBN: 978-1-118-72210-7

John Wiley & Sons

Sample Chapter

Further versions

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'

1 Cults and New Religions: A Primer

2 The Church of Scientology: The Question of Religion

3 Transcendental Meditation: The Questions of Science and Therapy

4 Ramtha and the New Age: The Question of 'Dangerous Cult'

5 The Unification Church/The Family Federation: The Brainwashing/Deprogramming Controversy

6 The Children of God/The Family International: The Issue of Sexuality

7 The Branch Davidians: The Question of Cults, Media, and Violence, Part One

8 Heaven's Gate: The Question of Cults and Violence, Part Two

9 Wicca and Witchcraft: Confronting Age-old Cultural Fears

10 Rethinking Cults: The Significance of New Religious Movements

References

Index

The world of new religions is notoriously complex and diverse. As such, an introductory text must simplify, but without simplification. This updated edition of Cults and New Religious Movements achieves this admirably. With an enviable grasp of contemporary scholarship, Douglas Cowan and David Bromley provide fresh insights into particular groups, events and controversies. This wonderfully erudite and lucid volume should be required reading for all students of new religions.
Christopher Partridge, Lancaster University

An ideal source for those looking for a concise, authoritative introduction to the most important new religions of the past fifty years. The authors carefully and seriously tackle significant questions about the nature of new religions, helping readers navigate a controversial and complicated field.
Benjamin E. Zeller, Lake Forest College

The second edition of Cults and New Religious Movements is an astute and accessible textbook written by two eminent scholars of new religions. Through eight case studies the text examines key issues that arise in relation to new religious movements, thereby shedding light on the study of religions in general. This book is a valuable pedagogical tool that stimulates critical analysis and discussion in the classroom and beyond.
Catherine Wessinger, Loyola University New Orleans

Douglas E. Cowan is Professor of Religious Studies and Social Development Studies at Renison University College, at the University of Waterloo. He is the author of Cults and New Religious Movements: A Brief History, Cyberhenge: Modern Pagans on the Internet (2005), Bearing False Witness? An Introduction to the Christian Countercult(2003) Sacred Terror: Religion and Horror on the Silver Screen (2008) and Sacred Space: The Quest for Transcendence in Science Fiction Film and Television (2010).

David G. Bromley is Director of the World Religions and Spirituality Project and Professor of Religious Studies and Sociology in the School of World Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. His most recent publications include Defining Religion: Critical Approaches to Drawing Boundaries Between Sacred and Secular (2003) and Cults, Religion and Violence (2001).

D. E. Cowan, University of Waterloo, Canada; D. G. Bromley, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA