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Reviews (2)
Choice Review
Beckford, author of The Trumpet of Prophecy (CH, Feb '76) and Religious Organization (1975), uses a sociological approach to study the current controversies and conflicts surrounding new religious movements or ``cults.'' His basic sources of information are: (1) extensive interviews with ex-members and official reports of inquiries into cults, and (2) extensive analysis of anticult campaigns, writings of ex-members, transcripts of legal cases bearing on cults, and social science work on minority religions. Most of the interviews were conducted in Britain (1977-1979); other material was collected in France, Germany, the US, and Japan (1975-1984). Of particular interest is Beckford's point that the cult controversy is a barometer of changes taking place in a number of different societies. New religious movements (NRMs) can be seen as a microcosm of their host societies. Beckford discusses the distinctiveness of new religious movements, recruitment and controversy, disengagement, the public response to these movements, and the significance of state control of movements. The book succeeds in its goal of remedying perceived inadequacies of previous studies of such movements. Unusually good preface and introduction, adequate references, and a name-and-subject index. Notes follow each chapter. For college, university, and public libraries.-J.S. McCrary, Lycoming College
Choice Review
Beckford, author of The Trumpet of Prophecy (CH, Feb '76) and Religious Organization (1975), uses a sociological approach to study the current controversies and conflicts surrounding new religious movements or ``cults.'' His basic sources of information are: (1) extensive interviews with ex-members and official reports of inquiries into cults, and (2) extensive analysis of anticult campaigns, writings of ex-members, transcripts of legal cases bearing on cults, and social science work on minority religions. Most of the interviews were conducted in Britain (1977-1979); other material was collected in France, Germany, the US, and Japan (1975-1984). Of particular interest is Beckford's point that the cult controversy is a barometer of changes taking place in a number of different societies. New religious movements (NRMs) can be seen as a microcosm of their host societies. Beckford discusses the distinctiveness of new religious movements, recruitment and controversy, disengagement, the public response to these movements, and the significance of state control of movements. The book succeeds in its goal of remedying perceived inadequacies of previous studies of such movements. Unusually good preface and introduction, adequate references, and a name-and-subject index. Notes follow each chapter. For college, university, and public libraries.-J.S. McCrary, Lycoming College