Since the early 1970s, alternative religious movements known as cults have been the focus of ever-increasing controversy in America. Cults in America: A Reference Handbook compares present-day cults to events in earlier American history, focusing on cults as a contemporary phenomenon. The key issue of mind control is covered, overviews of the most controversial churches, and biographies of their leaders are prominent features of this book. Legislative efforts and court decisions, particularly those surrounding the issue of religious liberty, are covered in detail. Cults in America features a directory of organizations in both the United States and Europe, a selected bibliography, print and nonprint resources, a chronology with the dates of religious events in American history, and coverage of events such as the Solar Temple and Heaven's Gate incidents.