Cults and New Religions : A Brief History.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Cowan, Douglas E.

Contributor:

Bromley, David G.

Series:

Wiley Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion Ser.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cults.

Religions.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (246 pages)

Edition:

2nd ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2015.

Summary:

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'.

Contents:

Intro

Title Page

Copyright Page

Contents

Preface to the Second Edition

List of Text Boxes

Chapter 1 Cults and New Religions

The Range of New Religious Movements

Controversy and the Popular Perception of New Religious Movements

Further Reading on New Religious Movements

Chapter 2 The Church of Scientology: The Question of Religion

L. Ron Hubbard and the Origins of Scientology

Beliefs and Practices of the Church of Scientology

The Organizational Structure of the Church of Scientology

The Church of Scientology and the Question of Religion

Researching Scientology

Further Reading on the Church of Scientology

Chapter 3 Transcendental Meditation: The Questions of Science and Therapy

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and the Arrival of Transcendental Meditation

Beliefs and Practices of Transcendental Meditation

The Growth and Development of Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental Meditation: The Questions of Science and Therapy

Researching Transcendental Meditation

Further Reading on Transcendental Meditation

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

Who Is JZ Knight and Who Is Ramtha?

History and Development of Ramtha's School of Enlightenment

Beliefs and Practices of Ramtha's School of Enlightenment

RSE and the Question of the 'Dangerous Cult'

Researching Ramtha

Further Reading on the New Age Movement

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

Sun Myung Moon: Savior from the East

Doctrinal Beliefs and Ritual Practices of the Unification Church

The Growth and Organization of the Unification Church outside Korea

Brainwashing, Deprogramming, and the Unification Church

Researching the Unification Church

Further Reading on the Unification Church.

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

Mo: David Berg and the Origins of the Children of God

Social Organization of the Children of God/The Family

Beliefs, Rituals, and Practices of the Children of God/The Family

The Children of God/The Family and the Issue of Sexuality

Researching the Children of God/The Family

Further Reading on the Children of God/The Family

Chapter 7 The Branch Davidians: The Question of Cults, Media, and Violence - Part I

The Historical Development of the Branch Davidians

Victor and Florence Houteff (1929-1959)

Benjamin and Lois Roden (1962-1989)

David Koresh (1989-1993)

Beliefs and Practices of the Branch Davidians under David Koresh

The Siege at Waco and the Problem of Mass Media

Researching the Branch Davidians

Further Reading on the Branch Davidians

Chapter 8 Heaven's Gate: The Question of Cults and Violence - Part II

Ti, Do, and the Origins of Heaven's Gate

Beliefs and Practices of Heaven's Gate

Recruitment and Social Organization in Heaven's Gate

The Evolutionary Level Above Human: New Religions, Violence, and the Media

Researching Heaven's Gate

Further Reading on UFO Groups

Chapter 9 Wicca and Witchcraft: Confronting Age-old Cultural Fears

Gerald Gardner and the Origins of Modern Witchcraft

Social Organization and Development of Modern Witchcraft and Wicca

Beliefs, Rituals, and Practices of Modern Witchcraft and Wicca

Satanic Panic: The Legacy of Religious Cult Fears

Researching Modern Paganism

Further Reading on Wicca and Witchcraft

Chapter 10 Rethinking Cults: The Significance of New Religious Movements

Two Perspectives: Cults versus New Religious Movements

The cult stereotype

NRMs as new religions

New Religions as Experimental Faiths

Further Reading on New Religious Movements.

References

Index

EULA.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Other Format:

Print version: Cowan, Douglas E. Cults and New Religions

ISBN:

9781118723500

OCLC:

908515138