New Religions [2 Volumes]: Emerging Faiths and Religious Cultures in the Modern World

"New Religions: Emerging Faiths and Religious Cultures in the Modern World" provides insightful global perspectives on the myriad emergent faith communities and new traditions and movements of the last two centuries. Readers will gain access to the information necessary to explore the significance, complexities, and challenges that modern religious traditions have faced throughout their history and continue to impact society today. The work addresses the intolerance and persecution that newly emergent traditions and their members have faced from their origins, describes how they have transformed over time, and identifies the themes and issues that have often brought them into conflict with the larger societies of which they are a part.

The coverage includes new religions that emerged in America, such as the Seventh-Day Adventists, the Latter-Day Saints, and the Jehovah's Witnesses; alternative communities around the globe that emerged from the major Western and Eastern traditions, such as Aum Shinrikyo and Al Qaeda; and marginalized groups that came to a sudden end, such as the People's Temple, Heaven's Gate, and the Branch Davidians. The entries highlight thematic and broader issues that run across the individual religious traditions as well as how the changing terminology and concepts by which these traditions have been referred to in different historical moments--such as "heretic," "sect," and "cult"--have had varied connotations over time and been redefined by scholars of new religious movements. Through its emphasis on the intersections and connections between faith communities since the 19th century, the book encourages readers to look for connections beyond traditional boundaries and to utilize and deepen their critical thinking skills. It will also promote a respect for cultural diversity by fostering an appreciation for different faith traditions and helping students analyze and assess the common difficulties faced by emergent religious communities.