The Bloomsbury Companion to New Religious Movements

Description

The Bloomsbury Companion to New Religious Movements covers key themes such as charismatic leadership, conversion and brainwashing, prophecy and millennialism, violence and suicide, gender and sexuality, legal issues, and the portrayal of New Religious Movements by the media and anti-cult organisations. Several categories of new religions receive special attention, including African new religions, Japanese new religions, Mormons, and UFO religions. This guide to New Religious Movements and their critical study brings together 29 world-class international scholars, and serves as a resource to students and researchers. The volume highlights the current state of academic study in the field, and explores areas in which future research might develop. Clearly and accessibly organised to help users quickly locate key information and analysis, the book includes an A to Z of key terms, extensive guides to further resources, a comprehensive bibliography, and a timeline of major developments in the field such as the emergence of new groups, publications, legal decisions, and historical events.

George D. Chryssides is Honorary Research Fellow in Contemporary Religion at the University of Birmingham, UK. Benjamin E. Zeller is Assistant Professor of Religion at Lake Forest College, Chicago, USA.

There is no better guide to the past, present and future of new religious movements. Students, researchers, journalists and policy makers will all appreciate the authoritative and accessible analyses crafted by many of the world's most distinguished experts. This book is timely, comprehensive and indispensable. * James A. Beckford, Professor Emeritus, University of Warwick, UK * This Companion offers the reader an exciting, sophisticated and dynamic approach to new religious studies, and many insights into the politics of fieldwork and media representation in such a controversial field. The chapters cover the important issues that arise in the world of NRMs - violence, charisma, millennialism, brainwashing, etc. New microsociologies within the field (pagan studies, ritual studies) are described. Aside from providing valuable, up-to-date information, The Bloomsbury Companion to New Religions is a fascinating "read" in itself. * Susan J. Palmer, Affiliate Member of the Faculty of Religious Studies, McGill University, Montreal, Canada * In The Bloomsbury Companion to New Religious Movements, Chryssides and Zeller have provided a much needed comprehensive overview of the large and diverse world of emerging new religious movements which have expanded their presence not only in the West but in countries around world. This complex and perplexing phenomenon, which has punctuated its permeation of modern life with significant violent and disruptive events, has evolved from the unique environment created by the unprecedented population explosion, urbanization, and the adoption of ideals of religious freedom over the last century, and stands as a major counter trend over against the expected inevitability of secularization. Drawing on the whole community of new religious scholars, Chryssides and Zeller have created an authoritative guide to the field destined to be a benchmark for future study. * J. Gordon Melton, Distinguished Professor of American Religious History Baylor University Waco, Texas, USA * This is one of the best one-volume primers available for those with little experience but much interest in studying NRMs. Everything is here - a tool box full of all the right tools to get started. Additionally, for those who are curious about specific NRMs or methods of study, the wide range of topics covered in brief essays, especially those at the cutting edge of the humanities and social sciences, make this an invaluable resource. In short, there's something for almost anyone. * W. Michael Ashcraft, Professor of Religion, Truman State University, USA * I found this volume to be engaging, stimulating, and a reliable guide to major theoretical constructs-old and new-in new religions studies. The scholars who contribute come from a wide range of disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, history of religions, gender studies, sexuality studies, legal studies, and media studies ... The volume will be of great use to libraries, new religions scholars, graduate students, and upper-division undergraduates taking courses in new religions studies. -- Phillip Charles * LucasNova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions, Vol. 18, No. 4 * This new Bloomsbury Companion closes an era of bitterness about NRMs and introduces a new and more congenial climate of research. Featured are 29 chapters by well-published international scholars who become messengers of balanced interpretations and sources. A table of acronyms and 43 pages of bibliography further enhance this excellent guide. Scholars and students interested in NRMs will find this volume to be a first-class research tool. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through researchers/faculty. -- G. H. Shriver, emeritus, Georgia Southern University * CHOICE *