The Bloomsbury Companion to New Religious Movements [Hardcover]

The Bloomsbury Companion to New Religious Movementscovers 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.

Overall, Chryssides and Zeller have done a superb job, putting together an invaluable introduction to the field. Bravo! -Religious Studies Review

The volume is very well organized. Arranging the topics historically provides a sense of the trajectory of Heidegger's life and thought. The book's structure makes it easy to dip in and out, reading articles on topics of interest without needing to start at the beginning. A valuable resource. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and above.  J. Donohoe, University of West Georgia,CHOICE

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, comprehl3ë