Description
Book SynopsisBased on more than 250 occurrences and extraordinary experiences The Encyclopedia of Religious Phenomena explores unusual and unexplained physical events, apparitions, and other phenomena rooted in religious beliefs. Alphabetically arranged, Religious Phenomena includes more than 100 illustrations. Each entry includes a description of the particular phenomenon and the religious claims being made for it as well as a discussion of what a scientist might have to say about it.
Trade Review“J. Gordon Melton is a renowned authority on what academics call "New Religious Movements." His expertise with the arcane shines from the pages. . . . [T]his is an entertaining and fascinating look at an astonishing variety of ways that people experience belief.” –
The Dallas Morning News “From the sensational to the conventional, this book covers it” – About.com
“Melton is a longtime researcher in esoteric traditions and new or unconventional religious movements, subjects on which he has written extensively. The book is fascinating to flip through, will interest a wide range of readers, and is written for nonexperts.” – Library Journal
“[Melton] gives readers interesting religious expressions and phenomena from Buddhism, Baha'I, Islam, indigenous faiths and Christianity. The result cannot help but be inspiring or alarming, depending on your understanding of true faith.” – Book News
“Melton, a renowned authority on "New Religious Movements," takes on a broad range of topics. If you can't learn an interesting bunch of facts from this book, you must already have a doctorate on the topic.” – The Modesto Bee
“It's amazing how informative it is, without being disrespectful of any religious experience.” – Kliatt
