Contemporary non-Christian and para-Christian cults and sects Books

Book SynopsisThe study of New Religious Movements (NRMs) is one of the fastest-growing areas of religious studies. This Handbook covers the current state of the field and breaks new ground. Its contributors are drawn equally from sociology and religious studies and include both established scholars and rising stars in the field. The core chapters deal with such central issues as conversion, the brainwashing debate, millennialism, and modernization. Another section deals with NRM subfields such as neopaganism, Satanism, and UFO religions. The final section considers NRMs in global perspective. CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title, 2005

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Book SynopsisMormonism is one of the fastest growing religions in the world. For those who have wondered in what specific ways Mormonism differs from the Christian faith, Mormonism 101 provides definitive answers, examining the major tenets of Mormon theology and comparing them with orthodox Christian beliefs. Perfect for students of religion and anyone who wants to have answers when Mormons come calling.

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Book SynopsisKwa Mai Mai is the embodiment of everything Johannesburg is meant to be the City of Gold, a place where dreams deferred come true. It is a constellation of people's cultures, imbued with beautiful memories of life in villages left behind but cherished by those who refuse to forget.

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Book SynopsisWhen Race, Religion, and Sport Collide tells the story of Brandon Davies' dismissal from Brigham Young University's NCAA playoff basketball team to illustrate the thorny intersection of religion, race, and sport at BYU and beyond. Author Darron T. Smith analyzes the athletes dismissed through BYU's honor code violations and suggests that they are disproportionately African American, which has troubling implications. He ties these dismissals to the complicated history of negative views towards African Americans in the LDS faith. These honor code dismissals elucidate the challenges facing black athletes at predominantly white institutions. Weaving together the history of the black athlete in America and the experience of blackness in Mormon theology, When Race, Religion, and Sport Collide offers a timely and powerful analysis of the challenges facing African American athletes in the NCAA today.Trade ReviewArguing that the close and complex relationship between race and religion can be uncovered through sports, Smith does a masterful job of weaving together critical race theory, US religious history, and sports to examine institutionalized racism in intercollegiate athletics. Specifically, Smith examines the realm of the sacred through the uneasy relationship between black student athletes and Mormonism’s larger theological constructions of race. Smith points out that within the Mormon Church blackness, especially in regard to black male athletes, is in tension with the notions of freedom, justice, and equality. However, Brigham Young University is not very different from other primarily white schools where, when it comes to sports, big money commands more interest than does the need of athletes. Black student athletes are especially under attack from the systemic white racism of the NCAA sports world. Perhaps most interesting here is Smith’s attention to how change can occur both within Mormon circles and in the sporting world at large. This book is timely, excellent, and worth a very close read. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels. * CHOICE *I want to highlight this amazing book . . . [It] is a really fascinating read . . . I can’t plug this book enough and tell everybody they need to read it. * Mormon Stories *The intersecting of race, religion and sport (or perhaps in the author’s words, the ‘collision’ of the three) is a rare feat in the world of scholarship…. An analysis of their association is certainly warranted. Darron T. Smith does just this by wading into the waters of the sports programmes at the flagship university of the Mormon Church. His thesis, that long-standing tenets of Mormon theology have unduly served to punish black athletes at Brigham Young University, extends beyond the expected descriptive account of race, religion and sport converging. Smith bravely aims to expose the racist underbelly of BYU and other similar predominantly white institutions with sport acting as the prism through which to inspect. Hence, When Race, Religion, and Sport Collide stands as a critique of the kind of theologized institutionalized racism that hides within the ranks of big-time college athletics. More to the point, racism and its effects are unique and likely more ingrained and pernicious at religious schools – institutions that should be leading the charge in the opposite direction…. When Race, Religion, and Sport Collide is a respectable gambit into the literature that deals both with race and sport, as well as with sport and religion. Indeed the three are tightly intertwined forming a rope that can pull us out of our shameful racist past but also continue to pull us down into long-standing racist histories with nothing less than the force of God. * Sport in Society: Cultures, Commerce, Media, Politics *When Race, Religion, and Sport Collide: Black Athletes at BYU and Beyond takes us well past the Davies dismissal to consider the nexus of race, religion, sport, and economic inequality in American society writ large, using BYU as an exemplar of the nation’s colleges and universities…. Smith should be commended for taking on the herculean task of trying to unravel the complex intertwining of race, sports, inequality, and religion. * Mormon Studies Review *When Race, Religion, and Sport Collide is a forceful, insightful, and powerful book built around the Brandon Davies honor code violation, which took place during Davies’s sophomore year, while he played for Brigham Young University’s successful basketball team. Here, Smith has connected the dots between sports, race, and religion in such a way that the book will be essential reading for anyone interested in sports and societal issues. This book is a tour de force; a must-read! -- Earl Smith, PhD, Professor of Sociology and Women and Gender Studies, George Mason University, author of Policing Black Bodies: How Black Lives Are Surveilled and How to Work for Change.Using the athletic department at Brigham Young University as a case study, Darron Smith explores the complicated and shifting intersections between sport, race, and religion in contemporary American society. With an eye on the historical evolution of the relationship between race and the lucrative world of sports, Smith exposes the ways that black bodies are commodified and racialized for white consumption. Mix a sometimes inconsistently applied honor code with religious justifications for historically excluding black bodies from full participation in Mormon priesthood and temples, and the setting is ripe for a complex set of dynamics to haunt the experiences of black athletes at BYU. When Race, Religion, and Sport Collide not only offers a candid assessment of those dynamics at play but proposes insightful solutions as well. -- W. Paul Reeve, University of Utah; author of Religion of a Different Color: Race and the Struggle for WhitenessIn this book, Darron T. Smith demands that we move beyond box scores, beyond wins and losses, beyond March Madness and bowl season, and beyond the cheers to reflect on the intersecting histories of religion, race, and sport. Offering a powerful discussion of college sports, blackness, and whiteness, Smith chronicles the story of black students at BYU. Using sports as a staging ground, despite claims of post-raciality and colorblindness, Smith offers a powerful discussion of race within and beyond the sporting fields. Interdisciplinary at its core, When Race, Religion, and Sport Collide brings together discussions of race and Mormonism, the revolt of the black athlete, contemporary college sports, and new racism. An important work for scholars of religion, sports, and race, this work is timely. -- David J. Leonard, Professor of Critical Culture, Gender, and Race Studies, Washington State UniversityIn When Race, Religion, and Sport Collide, Darron Smith has the keen insight to examine the intersection of race and religion and how these categories intersect sports. The study uncovers the ways that whiteness structures BYU’s and the Mormon (LDS) Church’s response to Black athletes in the context of presumed colorblindness. Smith shows how such post-racial colorblindness is untenable and unhealthful, and he offers constructive tenets for the Mormon Church that have relevance beyond LDS academic institutions. This book should be added to the corpus of scholars who are interested in the murky terrain of collegiate sports scholarship and to the growing work in Mormon studies, race studies, and sports. -- Stephen C. Finley, Louisiana State UniversityIn this provocative new study, Darron T. Smith examines the connection between blackness and Mormonism using Brigham Young University's honor code as a case study. His book bristles with new insights, demonstrating the ways in which Mormon racial theology has affected the lives of black athletes at the church owned-and-operated school. This book is a welcome voice to the growing body of literature on Mormon race relations. It is a superb achievement. -- Matthew L. Harris, Colorado State University–Pueblo; coauthor of The Mormon Church and Blacks: A Documentary HistoryDarron Smith's study of institutionalized racism as informed by religious doctrine is an important, thought-provoking work. Smith asks hard questions and does not settle for easy answers. Whether readers agree or disagree with his analysis, observations, and conclusions, they will not leave his stimulating book unchanged. -- Gary James Bergera, coauthor of Brigham Young University: A House of FaithWhen Race, Religion, and Sport Collide is a thoughtful and unique examination of the sociocultural issues at play within intercollegiate athletics. Dr. Smith’s work sheds light on larger social and structural issues by focusing on a truly interesting case study that will benefit students, administrators, faculty, and other personnel in both athletics and education. -- Mark Vermillion, chair, Department of Sport Management; executive director of Partnership for the Advancement of Sport Management, Wichita State UniversityThis book is a revealing examination of race in sports and religion with a unique focus—the treatment of black athletes at BYU. Darron Smith uses football, basketball, and other sports to explain a deep-seated prejudice at the heart of Mormonism. Anyone surprised to learn that Brigham Young was a racist should read this book. -- Luke O'Brien, PoliticoThis is a story of young black men used, abused, and too easily discarded under the guise of amateurism and faith. As he explores the crushing subtleties of racism in a respected college athletics program, Darron Smith reminds us that conscience is no defense for the indefensible. An important read. -- Chad Nielsen, sportswriterTable of ContentsIntroduction 1.The Meaning of Sport in the Popular Imagination: The Collision of Race, Religion and Sport 2.The Origins of Racism and Framing: Setting the Stage for the History of Blacks in Sport 3.The White Racial Framing of Blacks in Mormon Theology 4.Black Student Revolts and Political Uprising in the Late Sixties and Early Seventies: Fanning the Flame of Black Student-Athlete Revolts 5.Mormon Attitudes toward Civil Rights: It’s God’s Law, We’re Not Racist! 6.No Honor in the Honor Code: The Suspension of Brandon Davies and the Incompatibility Nexus between Blackness and Mormonism 7.Colorblindness and the Health Consequences to Black Male Student-Athletes through the Illusion of a Free Education 8.Pipeline to a Pipedream: The Elusiveness of Change in the Era of “Black Lives Matter” Notes

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Book SynopsisThe first in-depth study of the concept of the vision of God in Sufi eschatology, not only focusing on the hereafter, but also on this-worldly vision.

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Book SynopsisA moving, heart-breaking, and lyrical true story of the author's escape from an apocalyptic cult-and the survival skills that led to her freedom. My family prepared me for the end of the world, but I know how to survive on what the earth yields. As a child, Michelle Dowd grew up on a mountain in the Angeles National Forest. She was born into an ultra-religious cult-or the Field as they called it-started in the 1930s by her grandfather, a mercurial, domineering, and charismatic man who convinced generations of young male followers that he would live 500 years and ascend to the heavens when doomsday came. Comfort and care are sins, Michelle is told. As a result, she was forced to learn the skills necessary to battle hunger, thirst, and cold; she learned to trust animals more than humans; and most importantly, she learned how to survive in the natural world. At the Field, a young Michelle lives a life of abuse, poverty, and isolation, as she obeys her family's rigorous religious and patriarchal rules-which are so extreme that Michelle is convinced her mother would sacrifice her, like Abraham and Isaac, if instructed by God. She often wears the same clothes for months at a time; she is often ill and always hungry for both love and food. She is taught not to trust Outsiders, and especially not Quitters, nor her own body and its warnings. But as Michelle gets older, she realizes she has the strength to break free. Focus on what will sustain, not satiate you, she tells herself. Use everything. Waste nothing. Get to know the intricacies of the land, like the intricacies of your body. And so she does. Using stories of individual edible plants and their uses to anchor each chapter, Forager is both a searing coming-of-age story and a meditation on the ways in which understanding nature can lead to freedom, even joy.

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Book SynopsisA leading journalist's intense, riveting and personal investigation into the worlds and minds of cults At a new age festival in Byron Bay, journalist Anke Richter is finding her spiritual awakening when she meets a woman - a survivor of the Auckland cult Centrepoint - who will change the course of her life and career. Over the next ten years, Anke pursues a labyrinthine investigation into how and why cults attract, entrap and destroy otherwise ordinary people, asking what the line is between tribe and cult, participant and perpetrator, seduction and sexual abuse. From the emotional and criminal carnage of Auckland's Centrepoint to an anti-cult conference in Manchester, the infamous Osho's ashram in India, the tantric Agama Yoga school in remote Thailand, and culminating in a visit to Gloriavale on the West Coast of the South Island, Anke uncovers a disturbing pattern of violence and suffering. Cult Trip is a powerful exploration of what really goes on inside the groups we call cults, and how to reckon with their aftermath.'Wild stuff. Anke Richter is one of my favourite writers, blurring the line between participant and reporter.' David Farrier, journalist behind Dark Tourist and Tickled'Thorough and compassionate ... Cult Trip is a brittle, sensitive book.' Steve Braunias'What a book and what a writer! Cult Trip is an incredibly immersive, intense and necessary reading experience put together with doggedness and skill. The stories are heart-rending, told with bravery and care.' Noelle McCarthy, author of Grand'Phenomenal. I cannot recommend this book enough.' Tova O'Brien, Today FM'Cult Trip is incredibly painful and powerful - an eye opener, a tour de force and a call for justice.' Janja Lalich, author of Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships'Bringing together information from around the globe, Anke Richter pinpoints the internal struggles of those coming out of cults, and the debilitating harm that lingers afterwards.' Rachel Bernstein, cult specialist and educator

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Book SynopsisA major, perhaps the major, focus of early research on New Religious Movements (NRMs) was on the people who joined. Most of the field's pioneer researchers were sociologists. However, the profile of NRM members had changed substantially by the twenty-first century - changes largely missed because the great majority of current NRM specialists are not quantitatively oriented. Sects & Stats aims to overturn the conventional wisdom by drawing on current quantitative data from two sources: questionnaire research on select NRMs and relevant national census data collected by Anglophone countries. Sects & Stats also makes a strong argument for the use of longitudinal methods in studying alternative religions. Additionally, through case studies drawn from the author's own research projects over the years, readers will be brought into a conversation about some of the issues involved in how to conduct such research.Trade Review'The book has an important contribution to make to the study of NRMs.' Helen A. Berger, Brandeis UniversityTable of ContentsPreface Introduction I. Quasi-longitudinal Approaches 1. Whatever Happened to Youthful Converts? 2. Social Networks and Conversion II. Three Styles of Longitudinal Research 3. Increasing Complexity vs. Prior Generalizations: Census Data and Longitudinal Approaches 4. Toward a Paradigm for Longitudinal Studies: The Order of Christ Sophia 5. The Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness: Demographic Patterns, 1998-2011 III. Mixed Method Approaches 6. Demise of the Teen Witch Fad 7. Who Serves Satan? 8. NRMs and Gender - The Case of Scientology IV. Ex-Members 9. Post-Involvement Attitudes 10. Member vs. Ex-member Profiles Afterword: Directions for Future Research Appendix: Anglophone Census and National Survey Data on NRMs

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Book SynopsisWhen it became evident that the People's Republic of China (PRC) was on the verge of banning the Falun Gong movement, Li Hongzhi, the movement's founder, and his family escaped China, relocating permanently in the United States. Subsequently, the dramatic crackdown on Falun Gong in 1999 made international headlines. From the safety of his new home, Master Li encouraged his followers left behind in the PRC to vigorously demonstrate against the Chinese government, even if it meant imprisonment or even death. Further, Master Li actively discourages his followers from telling outsiders about his esoteric teachings; rather, he explicitly directs them to say that Falun Gong is just a peaceful spiritual exercise group being persecuted by the PRC. Not only has Falun Gong succeeded in propagating their side of the story in the media but the group will vigorously protest any news story that disagrees with their point of view. In more recent years, Falun Gong has attempted to silence critical scholars, including two of the contributors to the present volume. Enlightened Martyrdom: The Hidden Side of Falun Gong provides a comprehensive overview of Falun Gong: the movement's background, history, beliefs and practices. But whereas prior treatments have generally tended to downplay Falun Gong's 'dark side, ' in Enlightened Martyrdom, we have made an effort to include treatments of the less palatable aspects of this movement.Table of ContentsIntroduction James R. Lewis and Huang Chao 1. The Religion and Politics of Falun Gong Junpeng Li, Columbia University 2. The Doctrine of Li Hongzhi: Falun Gong: Between Sectarianism and Universal Salvation David A. Palmer, Hong Kong University 3. From Spiritual Healing to Protest: Falun Gong’s Emerging Culture of Martyrdom Susan J. Palmer, McGill-Queens University 4. Burning Faith: Interpreting the 1.23 Incident James R. Lewis 5. Devil Killing and the Essence of Falun Gong Fang Yong, Wuhan University 6. The Self-contradictions in Li Hongzhi’s Statements about Illness Cao Yan, Wuhan University 7. Scientific or Anti-scientific: A Critical Analysis of “Science” Discourses in Falun Gong Wang Chengjun, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law 8. “You Don’t Want to Have That Kind of Thought in Your Mind”: Li Hongzhi, Aliens, and Science Stefano Bigliardi, Foundation for Interreligious and Intercultural Research and Dialogue, Geneva 9. Falun Gong's Attack on Academic Freedom Helen Farley, University of Queensland 10. Friendly Fire: How Falun Gong mistook me for an enemy Heather Kavan, Massey University 11. The Falun Gong Political Narrative: Creating the Illusion of So-called “Forced Organ Harvesting” Campbell Fraser, Griffith University 12. “Clarifying the Truth”: Falun Gong’s Media Strategies James R. Lewis

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Book SynopsisWhen it became evident that the People's Republic of China (PRC) was on the verge of banning the Falun Gong movement, Li Hongzhi, the movement's founder, and his family escaped China, relocating permanently in the United States. Subsequently, the dramatic crackdown on Falun Gong in 1999 made international headlines. From the safety of his new home, Master Li encouraged his followers left behind in the PRC to vigorously demonstrate against the Chinese government, even if it meant imprisonment or even death. Further, Master Li actively discourages his followers from telling outsiders about his esoteric teachings; rather, he explicitly directs them to say that Falun Gong is just a peaceful spiritual exercise group being persecuted by the PRC. Not only has Falun Gong succeeded in propagating their side of the story in the media but the group will vigorously protest any news story that disagrees with their point of view. In more recent years, Falun Gong has attempted to silence critical scholars, including two of the contributors to the present volume. Enlightened Martyrdom: The Hidden Side of Falun Gong provides a comprehensive overview of Falun Gong: the movement's background, history, beliefs and practices. But whereas prior treatments have generally tended to downplay Falun Gong's 'dark side, ' in Enlightened Martyrdom, we have made an effort to include treatments of the less palatable aspects of this movement.Table of ContentsIntroduction James R. Lewis and Huang Chao 1. The Religion and Politics of Falun Gong Junpeng Li, Columbia University 2. The Doctrine of Li Hongzhi: Falun Gong: Between Sectarianism and Universal Salvation David A. Palmer, Hong Kong University 3. From Spiritual Healing to Protest: Falun Gong's Emerging Culture of Martyrdom Susan J. Palmer, McGill-Queens University 4. Burning Faith: Interpreting the 1.23 Incident James R. Lewis 5. Devil Killing and the Essence of Falun Gong Fang Yong 6. The Self-contradictions in Li Hongzhi's Statements about Illness Cao Yan 7. Scientific or Anti-scientific: A Critical Analysis of "Science" Discourses in Falun Gong Wang Chengjun 8. "You Don't Want to Have That Kind of Thought in Your Mind": Li Hongzhi, Aliens, and Science Stefano Bigliardi, Foundation for Interreligious and Intercultural Research and Dialogue, Geneva 9. Falun Gong's Attack on Academic Freedom Helen Farley, University of Queensland 10. Friendly Fire: How Falun Gong mistook me for an enemy Heather Kavan, Massey University 11. The Falun Gong Political Narrative: Creating the Illusion of So-called "Forced Organ Harvesting" Campbell Fraser 12. "Clarifying the Truth": Falun Gong's Media Strategies James R. Lewis

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Book Synopsis"Great Sects" is a non-scholarly book containing sketches of history and beliefs, insights, trivia and unexpected details about very many of the world's largest, smallest, oldest and strangest beliefs, faiths and religions. It is a succour for the legion of intellectually curious and perhaps some of the answers to a lot of big questions. Questions from the religion of Elvis to the Nation of Islam, Kabbalah to Dreamtime, Druidry to Opus Dei, Satanism to the Church of England, and Jedi Knights to the Church of Country Sports together with many others. "There is really only one religion, though there are a 100 versions of it." - GB Shaw 1898.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewNo one could create a compilation of primary sources on Mormonism that would satisfy everyone-however, Givens and Neilson have crafted a very worthy anthology that will serve its ostensible primary purpose: a resource for university-level Mormon Studies... this is an excellent contribution to the field. -- Bryan Buchanan Association for Mormon Letters Mormon-studies courses have several college-level textbooks to choose from, but none can wear the label "sourcebook" quite like this one... amply substantive. Highly recommended for most academic libraries. Booklist Academic libraries with a focus on religious studies will want to add this invaluable resource to their collections. American Reference Books Annual Students of Mormon history would do well to examine the faith and its history through these revealing sources, and I hope the book finds its way into numerous syllabi. Journal of Mormon History This wonderful collection is useful for both libraries and Mormon Studies scholars. Nova Religio This collection of documents, edited by two of the ablest and most prolific of Mormon historians, provides the most comprehensive sourcebook available... It's a treasure. -- Grant Wacker The Christian Century The carefully curated source material and the expertly crafted annotations [...] will allow the many courses for which this volume will serve as the primary anthology to explore what it has historically meant to be a Mormon. Mormon Studies ReviewTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Chapter One: Theology and Doctrine 1. Joseph Smith, "Latter Day Saints," from He Pasa Ekklesia: An Original History of the Religious Denominations at Present Existing in the United States (1844) 2. Joseph Smith, Selection from The Book of Mormon [3 Nephi 9-11] (1830) 3. Oliver Cowdery, "Letter to William W. Phelps on Priesthood Restoration," from Messenger and Advocate (1834) 4. Joseph Smith, "Extract from the Prophecy of Enoch [Moses 7]," from The Evening and the Morning Star (1832) 5. Joseph Smith, "A Vision [Doctrine and Covenants 76]," from The Evening and the Morning Star (1832) 6. Joseph Smith, Journal Account of Kirtland Temple Visitations [Doctrine and Covenants 110] (1836) 7. Joseph Smith, "Letter from Joseph Smith [on Baptisms for the Dead], from Times and Seasons (1842) 8. Joseph Smith, "The King Follett Discourse" from BYU Studies (1844) 9. Joseph F. Smith, "Vision of the Redemption of the Dead [Doctrine and Covenants 138]," from Improvement Era (1918) 10. First Presidency (Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, Charles W. Nibley), "'Mormon' View of Evolution," from Improvement Era (1925) 11. First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, James E. Faust, et. al.), "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," from Ensign (1995) 12. First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, James E. Faust, et. al.), "The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles," from Ensign (2000) Chapter Two: Scattering of the Saints 1. Isaac Russell, "Letter to the Saints in England," from History of the Church (1839) 2. Brigham Young, "An Epistle of the Twelve," from Times and Seasons (1844) 3. Lyman Wight and George Miller, "Lyman Wight to the First Presidency-Preaching the Gospel to the Indians and Proposing to Migrate to Texas," from History of the Church (1844) 4. James J. Strang, "Pastoral Letter" (1845) 5. Jason W. Briggs, "Revelation," from The Messenger (1851) 6. William Smith, Epistle of the Twelve (1851) 7. Sidney Rigdon, Joseph H. Newton, William Richards and William Stanley, An Appeal to the Latter-Day Saints (1863) 8. John Taylor, Revelation (1886) 9. David Whitmer, An Address to All Believers in Christ: By a Witness to the Divine Authenticity of The Book of Mormon (1887) 10. Joseph Musser, "Announcement," from Truth (1935) 11. Wallace B. Smith, Revelation on Priesthood [RLDS D&C 156] (1984) 12. Stephen M. Veazey, "A Defining Moment," from Community of Christ Herald (2009) Chapter Three: Gathering to Zion 1. Joseph Smith, "Plat for the City of Zion" (1833) 2. Sarah Studevant Leavitt, "Autobiography," from Women's Voices (1875) 3. Artemisia Sidnie Meyers, "Haun's Mill Massacre Account," in Bones in the Well (ca. 1850) 4. Vilate Kimball, Letter to her husband Heber C. Kimball, from Men with a Mission (1839) 5. Elizabeth Ann Smith Whitney, "Reminiscence," from In Their Own Words (1878) 6. First Presidency (Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Hyrum Smith), "A Proclamation, to the Saints Scattered Abroad," from Times and Seasons (1841) 7. Eliza R. Snow, "The Female Relief Society," from Woman's Exponent (1872) 8. William Clayton, "All is Well," from Hymns (1846) 9. Brigham Young, "A Revelation given dated Winter Quarters Camp of Israel [Doctrine and Covenants 136]," from Wilford Woodruff's Journal (1847) 10. William Atkin, "Handcart Experience," from Union (1896) 11. Valborg Henrietta Louise Rasmussen, "My Conversion to Mormonism," from Valborg (1945) 12. First Presidency (Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund) "Christmas Greeting to Saints in the Netherlands," from Der Stern (1907) 13. Bruce R. McConkie, "Come: Let Israel Build Zion," from Ensign (1977) Chapter Four: Government and Politics 1. Oliver Cowdery, "Governments and Laws in General [Doctrine and Covenants 134]," from Messenger and Advocate (1835) 2. Joseph Smith, General Smith's Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States (1844) 3. Letter from Margaret L. Scott to her brother J. Allen Scott, from Army of Israel (1846) 4. Brigham Young, "Proclamation by the Governor" (1857) 5. Letter from Martha Hughes Cannon to husband Angus M. Cannon, from Letters From Exile (1888) 6. First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith, et al.), "To the Saints [Political Manifesto]," from Deseret Weekly News (1896) 7. Reed Smoot, Speech before the United States Senate (1907) 8. Susa Young Gates, "The History of Woman Suffrage in Utah, 1900-1920," from The History of Woman Suffrage (1922) 9. J. Reuben Clark, General Conference address, from Conference Report (1936) 10. Sonia Johnson and Karen S. Langlois, "All on Fire: An Interview with Sonia Johnson," from Dialogue (1981) 11. Judith Rasmussen Dushku, "A Time of Decision," from Dialogue (1981) 12. Harry Reid, "Faith, Family, and Public Service" (2007) 13. Mitt Romney, "Faith in America" (2007) 14. First Presidency (Thomas S. Monson, Henry B. Eyring, and Dieter F. Uchtdorf), "Preserving Traditional Marriage and Strengthening Families" (2008) Chapter Five: Race and Ethnicity 1. Parley P. Pratt, "Mission to the Lamanites," from Autobiography (1874) 2. Jane Elizabeth Manning James, "Autobiography" (n.d.) 3. Parley P. Pratt, "The Standard and Ensign for the People," from Journal of Discourses (1853) 4. Brigham Young, "Spiritual Gifts-Hell-The Spirit World-The Elders and the Nations-The Lamanites-The Temple," from Journal of Discourses (1854) 5. Joseph Fielding Smith, "Appointment of Lineage," from The Way to Perfection (1931) 6. Helen Sekaquaptewa, "My Church," from Me and Mine (1969) 7. Lacee A. Harris, "To Be Native American-and Mormon," from Dialogue (1985) 8. First Presidency (Spencer W. Kimball, N. Eldon Tanner, and Marion G. Romney), "Revelation Extends Blessings of Gospel," from Church News (1978) 9. Joseph Freeman, "A Momentous Weekend," from In the Lord's Due Time (1979) 10. Chieko N. Okazaki, "Baskets and Bottles," from Ensign (1996) 11. Esmeralda Meraz Amos, "El Evangelio," from All God's Children (2004) Chapter Six: Sexuality and Gender 1. Joseph Smith, "Revelation [on plural marriage]," from Deseret News (1852) 2. Eliza R. Snow, "My Father in Heaven," from Times and Seasons (1845) 3. Annie Tanner Clark, "Marriage in Polygamy," from A Mormon Mother (1941) 4. Wilford Woodruff, "Official Declaration," from Deseret Weekly News (1890) 5. James E. Talmage, "The Eternity of Sex," from Young Woman's Journal (1914) 6. Virginia Budd Jacobsen, "Book Review of New Patterns in Sex Teaching," from Relief Society Magazine (1936) 7. Stephen E. Lamb and Douglas E. Brinley, "Sexual Intimacy in Marriage," from Between Husband and Wife (2000) 8. Oliver Alden [pseudo.], "'My God, My God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?': Meditations of a Gay Mormon on the 22nd Psalm," from Sunstone (1995) 9. Dallin H. Oaks and Lance B. Wickman, "Same-Gender Attraction," from LDS Newsroom (2006) 10. Maxine Hanks, "Introduction" from Women and Authority: Re-emerging Mormon Feminism (1992) 11. Emily Milner, "Finding Myself on Google," from Segullah (1996) Chapter Seven: Education and Intellectualism 1. Joseph Smith, "Revelation to the First Elders [Doctrine and Covenants 88:73-80, 117-41]," from Doctrine and Covenants (1835) 2. Amy Brown Lyman, "Childhood," from In Retrospect (1945) 3. Orson F. Whitney, "Home Literature," from Contributor (1888) 4. Editors, "Vocational Education," from Relief Society Magazine (1921) 5. Juanita Brooks, "To Columbia," from Quicksand and Cactus (1982) 6. Eugene England, "The Possibility of Dialogue: A Personal View," from Dialogue (1966) 7. Richard D. Poll, "What the Church Means to People Like Me," from Dialogue (1967) 8. Henry Eyring, "Science and Religion," from Reflections of a Scientist (1983) 9. Marilyn Arnold, "Unlocking the Sacred Text," from Expressions of Faith (1999) 10. Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, "A Pail of Cream," from Journal of American History (2002) Chapter Eight: Contemporary Religious Life 1. Dennis Clark, "A Name and a Blessing," from Dialogue (1970) 2. "Questions and Answers about Baptism," from Friend (2008) 3. Antonia Purina Honrado, "They Gave Me a Copy with All of the Pages," from Converted to Christ Through the Book of Mormon (1989) 4. Boyd K. Packer, "Counsel to Young Men," from Ensign (2009) 5. Lee Tom Perry and Daniel Lyman Carter, "As Now We Take the Sacrament," from Hymns (1985); Mabel Jones Gabbott and Rowland H. Prichard, "In Humility, Our Savior," from Hymns (1985); and Karen Lynn Davidson and Hans Leo Hassler, "O Savior, Thou Who Wearest a Crown," from Hymns (1985) 6. Margaret Rampton Munk, "Service Under Stress: Two Years as a Relief Society President," from Dialogue (1986) 7. Laury Livsey, "A Day in the Life of a Missionary," from New Era (2000) 8. Truman G. Madsen, "House of Glory," from Five Classics (1994) 9. Clark T. Thorstenson, "Discovering My Icelanders," from Ensign (1981) 10. Ruth M. Gardner and Vanja Y. Watkins, "Families Can Be Together Forever," from Hymns (1985); and Janice Kapp Perry, "I Love to See the Temple," from Children's Songbook (1989) 11. Brenda Williams, "My Terrible, Horrible Day," from New Era (2001) 12. Kathleen Flake, "How to Bury a Prophet," from Sightings (2008) Notes References Index

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Book SynopsisAliens, nuclear war and talking dolphins; this book is a study of the weird and wonderful world of the PosadistsTrade Review'Under the grim pressures of 20th century history, and now climate change, Gittlitz shows how explosions of black political humour also contain utopian hopes very necessary to keep alive. As an advocate of Partially Automated Adequate Socialism I can only agree, and applaud this fine addition to leftist history' -- Kim Stanley Robinson, award-winning author of the Mars Trilogy'While Posadism is often treated as a political curiosity, quickly set aside, Gittlitz skillfully paints J. Posadas and his followers in all their depth and complexity: paranoid, idealistic, cultish, fractious, bizarre, proud, far-reaching dreamers. In their bizarre, sometimes revolutionary own ways, they fought for a more just world, one that could finally join the ranks of a far more advanced fraternity awaiting them in the galaxy' -- Anna Merlan, author of 'Republic of Lies: American Conspiracy Theorists and Their Surprising Rise to Power''An absolute treat. As well as a brilliantly researched biography of Posadas, and a very witty one, it does far more than lampoon him. Rather, it uses his story (and its legendarisation in meme culture) to provide really valuable reflection on revolutionary hope, cults, and the role of irony and despair in the millennial-left milieu' -- David Broder, author of 'First They Took Rome: How the Populist Right Conquered Italy''This book has it all: Trotskyist drama, South American revolutions and aliens from inner and outer space. What's not to like?' -- McKenzie Wark, author of 'Capital Is Dead: Is This Something Worse?''A provocative and clear-eyed account of communist lunacy, its costs, and why we might need it anyway' -- Malcolm Harris, author of 'Kids These Days: Human Capital and the Making of Millennials''I Want to Believe is most compelling in its consideration of how Posadist ideals live on today, beyond the meme-centric irony and vaporwave aesthetics of the extremely online left' -- Baffler'Gittlitz has recovered an unlikely left-wing hero for these febrile times... and is an able navigator through the ensuing alphabet soup of Trotskyist organisations he travels through' -- Morning Star'Gittlitz does so well in weaving the life of Posadas with the enclosed parallel universe of Trotskyism he created' -- Socialist Resistance'If you find yourself afflicted by capitalist realism, a dip into I Want to Believe and the world of Posadism might be just the thing for you' -- Social Review'There is no reason the left shouldn’t engage in the occasional indulgence of UFOwatching alongside the hard work of organising' -- Dawn Foster‘A cautionary political tale of a radical post-war tendency marked by zealous fanaticism, an enigmatic insurgent horizon caught between utopia and annihilation and the cruellest of gaps separating sincere revolutionary desire and delusional irrelevance’ -- ‘ROAR’Table of ContentsList of Illustrations List of Abbreviations Acknowledgements Introduction PART I: THE TRAGIC CENTURY 1. Commentaries on the Infancy of Comrade Posadas 2. Revolutionary Youth or Patriotic Youth? 3. The Death Throes of Capitalism 4. The Origins of Posadism 5. Where are we Going? PART II: THE POSADIST FOURTH INTERNATIONAL 6. The Flying International 7. The Role of Anti-Imperialist and Revolutionary Militants, the Role of Trotskyists, the Program, and Tasks During and After the Atomic War 8. The Macabre Farce of the Supposed Death of Guevara 9. Flying Saucers, the Process of Matter and Energy, Science, the Revolutionary and Working-Class Struggle, and the Socialist Future of Mankind 10. The Accident 11. Hombrecitos 12. Volver 13. What Exists Cannot Be True 14. Arrival of Comrade Homerita to the House PART III: NEO-POSADISM 15. Historical Sincerity 16. Why Don’t Extraterrestrials Make Public Contact? 17. UFOs to the People 18. On the Function of the Joke and Irony in History Timeline Notes Index

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Book SynopsisThis quick reference guide on cults and religions is perfect for teachers, pastors, and students. Covering everything from established religions like Islam and Buddhism to shifting trends in Mormonism, Scientology, and Wicca, this book will answer your questions and help you understand the key differences between true Christianity and other belief systems.

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Book SynopsisThis book guides Christians to discuss non-biblical issues with Jehovah's Witnesses subject by subject in a non-confrontational manner.

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Book SynopsisThis unparalleled introduction to cults and new religious movements has been completely up-dated and expanded to reflect the latest developments; each chapter reviews the origins, leaders, beliefs, rituals and practices of a NRM, highlighting the specific controversies surrounding each group.Table of ContentsPreface to the Second Edition x List of Text Boxes xii 1 Cults and New Religions: A Primer 1 The Range of New Religious Movements 5 Controversy and the Popular Perception of New Religious Movements 11 Further Reading on New Religious Movements 17 2 The Church of Scientology: The Question of Religion 18 L. Ron Hubbard and the Origins of Scientology 20 Beliefs and Practices of the Church of Scientology 23 The Organizational Structure of the Church of Scientology 27 The Church of Scientology and the Question of Religion 31 Researching Scientology 35 Further Reading on the Church of Scientology 37 3 Transcendental Meditation: The Questions of Science and Therapy 38 Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and the Arrival of Transcendental Meditation 40 Beliefs and Practices of Transcendental Meditation 42 The Growth and Development of Transcendental Meditation 48 Transcendental Meditation: The Questions of Science and Therapy 52 Researching Transcendental Meditation 56 Further Reading on Transcendental Meditation 58 4 Ramtha and the New Age: The Question of “Dangerous Cult” 59 Who Is JZ Knight and Who Is Ramtha? 61 History and Development of Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment 65 Beliefs and Practices of Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment 67 RSE and the Question of the ‘Dangerous Cult’ 70 Researching Ramtha 75 Further Reading on the New Age Movement 77 5 The Unification Church/The Family Federation: The Brainwashing/Deprogramming Controversy 78 Sun Myung Moon: Savior from the East 79 Doctrinal Beliefs and Ritual Practices of the Unification Church 84 The Growth and Organization of the Unification Church outside Korea 89 Brainwashing, Deprogramming, and the Unification Church 92 Researching the Unification Church 96 Further Reading on the Unification Church 98 6 The Children of God/The Family International: The Issue of Sexuality 99 Mo: David Berg and the Origins of the Children of God 101 Social Organization of the Children of God/The Family 105 Beliefs, Rituals, and Practices of the Children of God/ The Family 109 The Children of God/The Family and the Issue of Sexuality 113 Researching the Children of God/The Family 118 Further Reading on the Children of God/The Family 119 7 The Branch Davidians: The Question of Cults, Media, and Violence – Part I 120 The Historical Development of the Branch Davidians 121 Beliefs and Practices of the Branch Davidians under David Koresh 128 The Siege at Waco and the Problem of Mass Media 131 Researching the Branch Davidians 138 Further Reading on the Branch Davidians 139 8 Heaven’s Gate: The Question of Cults and Violence – Part II 141 Ti, Do, and the Origins of Heaven’s Gate 142 Beliefs and Practices of Heaven’s Gate 145 Recruitment and Social Organization in Heaven’s Gate 150 The Evolutionary Level Above Human: New Religions, Violence, and the Media 153 Researching Heaven’s Gate 157 Further Reading on UFO Groups 160 9 Wicca and Witchcraft: Confronting Age‐old Cultural Fears 161 Gerald Gardner and the Origins of Modern Witchcraft 162 Social Organization and Development of Modern Witchcraft and Wicca 166 Beliefs, Rituals, and Practices of Modern Witchcraft and Wicca 170 Satanic Panic: The Legacy of Religious Cult Fears 174 Researching Modern Paganism 177 Further Reading on Wicca and Witchcraft 180 10 Rethinking Cults: The Significance of New Religious Movements 181 Two Perspectives: Cults versus New Religious Movements 184 New Religions as Experimental Faiths 197 Further Reading on New Religious Movements 203 References 204 Index 225

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Book SynopsisFinalist, Award for Excellence in the Study of Religion, Analytical-Descriptive Studies, given by the American Academy of Religion A comprehensive collection of the pioneering work of Leonard Norman Primiano, one of the preeminent scholars in religious studies In 1995, Leonard Norman Primiano introduced the idea of "vernacular religion." He coined this term to overcome the denigration implied in the concept of "folk religion" or "popular religion," which was juxtaposed to "elite religion." This two-tiered model suggested that religion existed somewhere in a pure form and that the folk version transforms it. Instead, Primiano urged scholars to adopt an inductive approach to the study of religion and to pay attention to experiential aspects of belief systems, ultimately redressing a heritage of scholarly misinterpretation. Here for the first time, Leonard Norman Primiano's pioneering works have been collected into one volume, providing a foundational look at one of the preeminent scholars of twentieth-century religious studies. Vernacular Religion makes visible the dimensions of vernacular religion in North America, exemplifying the richness of its ability to explain key facets of American society, including especially thorny issues around race and sexuality. The volume also demonstrates a method of abiding engagement, the creation of ongoing relationships with those who are studied, and how the relationship between scholars and the communities they study inform an ethics of critical commitmentwhat Primiano calls an "ethnography of collaboration and reciprocity." This posthumous collection, edited by Deborah Dash Moore, brings together key studies in vernacular religion that explore its expression among such varied groups as Catholics, LGBTQ Christians, and the followers of Father Divine. Vernacular Religion models empathetic ethnographic engagement that embraces American religion in all its rich diversity, illuminating Primiano's enduring legacy.Trade ReviewReading this work, I feel nothing so much as grateful that someone had the idea to do this ‘collected works’ project. . . . Primiano’s study of Dignity is the best work on Dignity. His study of the Peace Mission is the best work on Father Divine. . . . This volume not only collects important essays, but also reflects to the field more of itself, a part that has been missing or under-told to this point. -- Julie Byrne, Monsignor Thomas J. Hartman Chair in Catholic Studies and Professor in the Department of Religion, Hofstra UniversityThis impressive volume persuasively recommends and gorgeously exemplifies a nuanced courageous scholarship of human engagement and commitment. -- Sally M. Promey, Director, Center for the Study of Material and Visual Cultures of Religion, Yale UniversityThe collection is compelling, with rich ethnographic details, and represents a major contribution to the field as a body of work. -- Jodi Eichler-Levine, Berman Professor of Jewish Civilization and Professor of Religion Studies, Lehigh University

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Book SynopsisStories of witchcraft and demonic possession from early modern England through the last official trials in colonial New EnglandThose possessed by the devil in early modern England usually exhibited a common set of symptoms: fits, vomiting, visions, contortions, speaking in tongues, and an antipathy to prayer. However, it was a matter of interpretation, and sometimes public opinion, if these symptoms were visited upon the victim, or if they came from within. Both early modern England and colonial New England had cases that blurred the line between witchcraft and demonic possession, most famously, the Salem witch trials. While historians acknowledge some similarities in witch trials between the two regions, such as the fact that an overwhelming majority of witches were women, the histories of these cases primarily focus on local contexts and specifics. In so doing, they overlook the ways in which manhood factored into possession and witchcraft cases. Vexed with DTrade ReviewGassers reading of these texts is close, careful, and extensiveGassers contribution to this scholarship is noteworthy. She provides a corrective to the direction that many previous studies took investigating mostly women, perhaps even women only- and failing to appreciate the attitudes about manhood that affected the outcomes of so many witchcraft cases. * Nova Religio *Vexed with Devils brings together a number of key attributes: an important topic approached through excellent research involving a broad range of early modern texts and secondary historical scholarship. Erika Gasser is to be congratulated on a broad and detailed survey of material, which is well-expressed and interesting to read. -- Marion Gibson,Professor of Renaissance and Magical Literatures, University of Exeter, Penryn CampusWriting a few years ago, Alison Rowlands urged scholars to do more research into the 'extent to which the prosecution of witches was imagined, carried out, and justified as an expression of godly, dutiful, patriarchal manhood.' Gasser's book is a necessary response: a convincing treatment. * Times Literary Supplement *While much attention has focused on the place of women in the witch trials, in Vexed with Devils, Erika Gasser...shifts focus to look at the lesser studied place of men in these incidents...[Her discussions]add additional depth to our comprehension of how issues of gender impacted not just the trials themselves, but also the broader societal discussion regarding the presence of witchcraft and possession in early modern society. * Reading Religion *Gasser argues that demonic and witchcraft possession cases throughout the Anglo-American world functioned as a form of social policing during the early modern period...Anyone seeking a fresh perspective on, and deeper understanding of, such possession accounts will not be disappointed. * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisLocal-level pilgrimages, when based on strong expressions of faith, can have a much wider local, regional and international appeal. It has been estimated that pilgrims and religious tourists number around 330 million per year, meaning development of these faith identities can help drive destination visitation and regional development. This book explores the central role of ordinary people in the popularisation of faith-based practices, thus illustrating religious tourism as an expression of cultural identity. Focusing on the interrelationship of cultural groups and the overall formation of culture and society, this book: - Uses a range of multidisciplinary, sociological and ethnographic studies to illustrate the evolution of pilgrimage sites and saints. - Includes practical case studies and illustrations of religious tourism and pilgrimage development from a variety of international perspectives. - Provides a selection of discussion questions for each chapter, encouraging readers to engage with further study and investigation of these important issues. An invaluable review of cultural identity and faith, this book delivers to scholars, students and local policy makers a collection of current perspectives on the growth, development and evolution of faith practices surrounding contemporary and historical sites and saints.Table of ContentsPart 1: From Local to International, the Development of Devotion 1: Introduction: Local Identity and Transnational Cults 2: Continuity from Local Cult to ‘Accepted’ Ritual 3: Developing Pilgrimage Itineraries: The Way of St Francis in Umbria as Case in Point 4: Pilgrimage, Religious Tourism and Heritage in Calabria 5: Fighting for the Saint: Ritual Rivalries in Traditional Pilgrimages Part 2: Popular Pilgrimage Development 6: Chinese Migrations and Pilgrimages around Prato (Italy) and Wenzhou (China) 7: Globalizing Romani Culture: The Pilgrimage to the Sea in Les-Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (France) 8: The Cult of Señor de los Milagros of Peruvians in Italy 9: Cultural Diversity in a Local French Pilgrimage 10: Mixing Sport and Religion in the Landes Area of France 11: An Ethnology of the Foreign Traveller to the Shrine of St Nicholas of Bari, Italy Part 3: Focus on Saint Rita 12: Healing Tourists with Religion: Saint Rita’s Cult in Poland 13: A Transnational Cult: St Rita of Cascia 14: Saint Rita of Cascia: An Evolving Devotion in Dublin’s Inner City 15: Conclusion 16: Discussion Questions

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Book SynopsisThe Sacred Feminine, whether viewed as an archetype, ideology or heavenly deity, has been stripped from our cultures, religions and psyches for several millennia. But we are starting to remember its roots and origins. She is the missing piece of the spiritual, cultural and political puzzle that can address the human conditions of suffering that plagues the planet. Writing from the heart, Tate's enthusiasm, passion for justice, and vision of love and enlightenment is personified in the concept of the Sacred Feminine. Thus she aids readers both new and familiar with Goddess to reawaken this knowledge, to experience once again the nurturing arms of the Mother, and perhaps, help humankind save itself.Trade ReviewWalking an Ancient Path takes us on a spiritual journey by one of the foremost pathfinders of the Goddess movement. Rosemary Clark, Author of The Sacred Tradition in Ancient EgyptKaren has created a wonderful book that blends travelogue, personal reflections and shared rituals in a way accessible to anyone. For those spiritual travelers looking for new and old ways of experiencing the Divine Feminine, Karen's book is the perfect resource. Tina Carey, Author of God's Mesengers for Today's Women

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Book SynopsisPagans often claim that their spiritual inspiration comes not from a written scripture but from personal experience and original creativity. Yet, there are many written works which also constitute its testament. Some of them are thousands of years old, such as the "Descent of Ishtar", and "The Homeric Hymn to Demeter". Others are more recent, such as "The Charge of the Goddess". "A Pagan Testament" collects these original works together, along with the poetry and prose that inspired the founders of the modern Pagan movement. It also includes the largest collection of circle songs and wisdom teachings ever published, which are the Pagan equivalent of the Biblical Psalms and Proverbs. They were collected by the author in a survey of Pagan folklore, from almost 2,000 people in twelve countries around the world. They show that Paganism is continually expanding and developing. Finally, the book includes an original and valuable philosophical commentary and interpretation.Trade ReviewA remarkable resource for anyone following the Wicca-Pagan path. We highly recommend it. Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone, Authors of A Witches Bible, The Witches Goddess and Progressive WitchcraftBrendan Myers is one of the most important Neopagan voices now alive. Isaac Bonewits, Author of "Real Magic"; founder of Arn Draoicht Fein, America's largest Druidic association

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Book Synopsis

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