The New Religious Movements Experience in America

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Eugene V. Gallagher

Book Code: GR2807

ISBN: 0-313-32807-2

ISBN-13: 978-0-313-32807-7

DOI:

320 pages, Photos

Greenwood Press

Publication: 10/30/2004

List Price: $60.95 (UK Sterling Price: £34.95)

Availability: In Stock

Media Type: Hardcover

Also Available: Ebook

Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4

Subjects:

Series Title: The American Religious Experience

Reviews:

For anyone curious about the scope and impact of alternative religions in our country, this serves as an excellent introduction....Recommended for all public libraries.
—Library Journal February 1, 2005
More analytical that similar studies, Gallagher's book furthers the comparative project, juxtaposing groups in order to shed light on the new religions themselves and on the American cultural context in which they have emerged and often thrived. If religion is, as Gallagher argues, "a set of processes through which human beings build for themselves distinctive worlds of meaning that they then inhabit" (21), then NRMs provide fertile ground for the scholar of relgion.
—The Journal of Religion July 2006
This book provides a thumb nail sketch of the history, beliefs, practices and interactions with the rest of the society for each of the religions discussed....It is the scope of the work and its clear engaging prose that make it particularly good for a course in New Religious Movements, Sociology of Religion, or American Studies. Its use as a text is enhanced be the inclusion of a glossary and a list of additional readings for each of the religions and topics discussed.
—Sociology of Religion Summer 2007
This is an erudite and well-written book, designed to serve as a text for courses in new religious movements in modern American religions. The author combines a knowledge of social scientific research on new religious phenomena with a well-informed religious studies and theological perspective that is historically grounded....This book makes and excellent addition to available literature on new religions in America. The integration of various literatures on new religions recommends the book to several disciplines interested in the topic.
—Journal of Church and State Summer 2005
[A]n excellent guide, a recommended reference pick.
—MBR Bookwatch May 2005

Description: Wherever and whenever they appear, new religious movements always produce conflict. Even as they attract members who enthusiastically embrace their innovative teachings, new religions often provoke strongly negative reactions, often because they challenge established notions of proper religious action, belief, and morality. Opponents of new religious movements often brand them as "cults" and urge their fellow citizens, their own religions, and even the government to take action against what they see as suspicious and potentially dangerous movements; the members often complain that their motives have been misconstrued and argue that their groups are unfairly persecuted. The New Religious Movements Experience in America outlines the conflict between representatives of the status quo and new religions and examines how these groups appear both to their members and to their cultural opponents. This work is ideal for anyone--students, parents, and teachers--who wish to gain a deeper understanding of new religious movements in America. New religions have always been part of the American religious landscape, and this book moves beyond the contemporary period to discuss examples of new religions that have originated, survived or died, and sometimes prospered throughout U. S. history. Among the groups discussed are the Mormons, the Peoples Temple, the Branch Davidians, Spiritualism, Theosophy, the Church Universal and Triumphant, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, the followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, Soka Gakkai, the Nation of Islam, Wiccans and neo-Pagans, the Church of Satan, the Church of Scientology, Heaven's Gate, and the Raelians. The New Religious Movements Experience in America includes a glossary and a list of resources for those interested in doing further research on the experience of the followers of new religions.

Table of Contents:

Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
Groups within the Biblical Tradition
The New Age and its Antecedents
Eastern Groups and Gurus
Groups of Middle Eastern and African Origins
Neo-Paganism
New Foundations
Themes in the Study of New Religious Movements
Selected Resources for Further Study
Glossary

LC Card Number: 2004054365

LCC Class: BL2525

Dewey Class: 200


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