Encyclopedic Handbook of Cults in America

by J. Gordon Melton

Overview

Covers the history, founders, beliefs, and literature of over five hundred nonconventional and alternative religious movements.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780815311409
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/01/1992
Series:	Religious Information Systems , #7
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	424
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Part I What is a Cult?; Part II The Established Cults; Chapter 1 A. Church of Christ, Scientist (Christian Science); Chapter 2 B. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon); Chapter 3 C. Fundamentalist or Polygamy-Practicing Mormon Groups; Chapter 4 D. The “I Am” Religious Activity; Chapter 5 E. The Identity Movement; Chapter 6 F. Jehovah’s Witnesses; Chapter 7 G. The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Chapter 8 H. Rosicrucians; Chapter 9 I. Satanism; Chapter 10 J. Spiritualism; Chapter 11 K. Theosophy; Chapter 12 L. Unity School of Christianity; Chapter 13 M. The Universal Peace Mission Movement of Father Divine; Chapter 14 N. Worldwide Church of God; Part III The New Age Movement; Part IV The Newer Cults; Chapter 15 A. Christian Foundation; Chapter 16 B. The Church of Scientology; Chapter 17 C. The Church Universal and Triumphant (Summit Lighthouse); Chapter 18 D. Eckankar; Chapter 19 E. Elan Vital (Divine Light Mission); Chapter 20 F. Family of Love (Children of God); Chapter 21 G. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Hare Krishna); Chapter 22 H. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness of West Virginia; Chapter 23 I. The Local Church (Watchman Nee and Witness Lee); Chapter 24 J. The Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness; Chapter 25 K. Nichiren Shoshu; Chapter 26 L. OSHO (Rajneesh) Foundation International; Chapter 27 M. Sikh Dharma (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization); Chapter 28 N. Transcendental Meditation and The World Plan Executive Council; Chapter 29 O. The Unification Church; Chapter 30 P. Vajradhatu (Tibetan Buddhism); Chapter 31 Q. The Way International, Inc.; Chapter 32 R. Witchcraft and Neopaganism; Part V Counter-Cult Groups; Chapter 33 A. Evangelical Christianity and the Cults; Chapter 34 B. The Anti-Cult MovementpartVI Violence and the Cults;

Editorial Reviews

Change and an increase in available literature on nonconventional religions has spurred the publication of this revised edition (first, 1986). The history, founders, beliefs, and literature of groups are covered in a fairly unbiased way. Among the 500 nonconventional and alternative religions examined are Christian Science, Mormons, the Identity Movement, Scientology, Summit Lighthouse, Hare Krishna, Rajneesh, Vajradhatu, and Neopaganism. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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