Controversial New Religions

Over the last several years, the scholarly interest in New Religious Movements has grown exponentially. The general public, however, tends to hear about New Religious Movements only when there has been a tragedy, such as the burning of the Branch Davidians' compound in Waco or the Heaven's Gate suicide. The press then lavishes attention on these groups, writing melodramatic stories that play up the oddness of their beliefs and behaviors. This volume offers a scholarly, dispassionate...
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Over the last several years, the scholarly interest in New Religious Movements has grown exponentially. The general public, however, tends to hear about New Religious Movements only when there has been a tragedy, such as the burning of the Branch Davidians' compound in Waco or the Heaven's Gate suicide. The press then lavishes attention on these groups, writing melodramatic stories that play up the oddness of their beliefs and behaviors. This volume offers a scholarly, dispassionate look at those groups that have generated the most controversy. The groups covered are: The Family Unification Church People's Temple Branch Davidians ISKCON (Hare Krishnas) Osho Rajneesh Soka Gakkai Aum Shunrikyo Falun Gong Aumism Scientology Theosophy Order of the Solar Temple Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness Heaven's Gate Raelians White Racist Religions Satanism Each essay provides not only an overview of the history and beliefs of each organization or movement, but also analysis that makes an original contribution to the field. This book will be an invaluable resource for all those who seek a view of New Religions that is deeper than what can be found in sensationalistic newspaper stories or on the six o'clock news.