Summary
New religious movements (NRMs) are religions that have emerged recently. Some people describe NRMs as "cults," implying secretive, dangerous groups that demand absolute allegiance to their founders—yet many mainstream world religions had similar origins. Scholars of new religions argue that new religious movements often develop in response to specific problems, such as political or religious oppression, economic depression, social tension, or health or environmental crises. Studying NRMs is important to understanding human history, experience, and civilization.
New Religious Movements describes what NRMs are, how and why they form, which new religions tend to grow and which ones tend to fail, and what prompts people to join them. Engaging sidebars, recommendations for further reading, a list of websites for additional information, and full-color photographs add to the well-written text. A glossary and bibliography make research easy and enjoyable for students.
Coverage includes:
- The people who join and lead NRMs
- The "cult controversy" of the late 20th century
- Cases of violence, including suicide, associated with NRMs
- Changes that may take place in NRMs over time
- NRMs in a global context.
About the Author(s)
Holly Folk, Ph.D., is associate professor of religious studies at Western Washington University. She holds a Ph.D. in religious studies from Indiana University. Her research focuses on social movements that fall outside the mainstream, including new religions, communes and utopias, anarchism, and alternative medicine.