Comprehending Cults

Description

"This book summarizes, synthesizes, and assesses the results of thirty years of research into new religious movements by historians, sociologists, and psychologists of religion. Organized in terms of seven of the most commonly asked questions about cults (e.g., Why did they emerge? Who joins them and why? Why do some become violent?), the book clarifies the issues at stake, seeking to replace prejudice and speculation with reliable insights into the nature of cult activity."--BOOK JACKET.

Description

"Tackling popular stereotypes and media portrayals of new religious movements (NRMs), Lorne Dawson attempts to replace prejudice, misconceptions, and speculation with scholarly insight. Drawing on more than forty years of research conducted by historians, sociologists, and psychologists, he explores how new religious movements develop, who joins them, and why. He also analyzes controversial issues such as the accusations of brainwashing and sexual deviance that are sometimes made against cults; discusses why cults sometimes turn to violence; and examines what NRMs can tell us about the future of religion and culture in North America. The result is a comprehensive, evenhanded introduction to the study of new religious phenomena."--BOOK JACKET.

Subjects

Other Editions

• Comprehending cults: the sociology of new religious movementsOxford University Press Canada1998-01-01
• Comprehending CultsOxford University Press, USA2006-01-25
• Comprehending CultsOxford University Press2006-01-01