Customer Reviews

Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions: Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, Mind Sciences, Baha'i, Zen, Unitarianism (In Defense of the Faith Series)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

I found this book far below the standard set in Ankerberg/Weldon's previous book, Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs, which I also own. My disappointment is based on two points:

First...the authors give extremely short shrift to many if not most of the cults, beliefs, groups and sects listed. It is not helpful for those seeking to learn what these various groups are "about," that is, what their particular beliefs are. I find the term "encyclopedia" inaccurate as a description of the book's contents, as the only entries that could be considered truly encyclopedic are those on which the authors have written other voluminous works (Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Unitarians, and other "almost but not quite" orthodox Christian groups - which, perhaps not coincidentally, seem to irk the authors far more than out-there groups such as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and the Children of God). Also, they fail to address a number of groups problematic for Christians, such as the "word-faith" movement, Toronto Blessing, Benny Hinn, etc.

Secondly, the authors' work is far less balanced than that presented in their previous work. It rapidly becomes obvious that Ankerberg and Weldon are going to condemn any self-defined religious group that does not conform to their orthodox definition of conservative (not to say fundamentalist), evangelical, Biblical-inerrancy based Christianity. As a seminarian whose dissertation concerns why people turn to cults, New Age beliefs, alternative faiths, and new religious movements, I was very disappointed that Ankerberg and Weldon could not provide more information about these groups and why people might turn to them - and away from orthodox beliefs - in an attempt to settle their own personal "unpaid bills" of faith. In areas, Ankerberg/Weldon come dangerously close to personifying what many people dislike about orthodox Christians - the dogmatic, doctrinaire, intolerant, narrow-minded, even bigoted insistence that their, and only their, view is correct. There is a difference between toleration - respecting differences - and relativism - accepting all beliefs as equally valid, so that none are valid. (Thanks to Michael Shermer for that definition!)

The book makes one wonder whether their faith, their beliefs, are so fragile and vulnerable that they must fear and condemn everything that does not fit their narrow standards. it doesn't say much either for their God or their faith that they are so easily threatened, so constantly under attack. This may also a way of making themselves feel important - "we must be important and powerful or Satan/demons/spirits/heretics/etc wouldn't attack us so." It's also intellectually and theologically lazy - The Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it. If it doesn't agreee 100%, it can be discarded without further thought or investigation. And someone needs to explain to them: "Never attribute to evil that which can be explained by stupidity." Perhaps we should not, as they are, so quick to attribute "wrong" beliefs to Satan when human stupidity, ignorance, laziness, arrogance and evil are more likely to be at fault.

Also disturbing, to an academic, is the repeated assertion of general "facts" without any support or proof, such as the repeated recitation of "thousands of lives destroyed..." by cultic involvement. All too often, the authors are either disingenuous or fall back on petitio principi argument, and there is little to no attempt to place any of the groups in context - i.e., the currents of history and social thought had much influence on the founding of Freemasonry and its documented beliefs, but Ankerberg discusses none of this. Many of the refutations of those groups that are discussed at length are like going after a mosquito with a howitzer - are elaborate apologetics necessary when prima facie silliness presents itself? Ankerberg/Weldon give the impression that they are writing for an audience that is incapable of understanding, without their help, that the listed groups are incompatible with Christianity.

I will say that I found the book useful in a bibliographic sense. Apart from that, the only nice thing I have to say is that Ankerberg/Weldon and I at least agree on one thing, which is that the Jesus Seminar is nonsense.

I found this book far below the standard set in Ankerberg/Weldon's previous book, Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs, which I also own. My disappoint is based on two points:

First, as noted by other reviewers, the authors give extremely short shrift to many if not most of the cults, beliefs, groups and sects listed. It is not helpful for those seeking to learn what these various groups are "about," that is, what their particular beliefs are. I find the term "encyclopedia" inaccurate as a description of the book's contents, as the only entries that could be considered truly encyclopedic are those on which the authors have written other voluminous works (Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Unitarians, and other "almost but not quite" orthodox Christian groups - which, perhaps not coincidentally, seem to irk the authors far more than out-there groups such as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and the Children of God). Also, they fail to address a number of groups problematic for Christians, such as the "word-faith" movement, Toronto Blessing, Benny Hinn, etc.

Secondly, the authors' work is far less balanced than that presented in their previous work. It rapidly becomes obvious that Ankerberg and Weldon are going to condemn any self-defined religious group that does not conform to their orthodox definition of conservative (not to say fundamentalist), evangelical, Biblical-inerrancy based Christianity. As a seminarian whose dissertation concerns why people turn to cults, New Age beliefs, alternative faiths, and new religious movements, I was very disappointed that Ankerberg and Weldon could not provide more information about these groups and why people might turn to them - and away from orthodox beliefs - in an attempt to settle their own personal "unpaid bills" of faith. In areas, Ankerberg/Weldon come dangerously close to personifying what many people dislike about orthodox Christians - the dogmatic, doctrinaire, intolerant, narrow-minded, even bigoted insistence that their, and only their, view is correct. There is a difference between toleration - respecting differences - and relativism - accepting all beliefs as equally valid, so that none are valid. (Thanks to Michael Shermer for that definition!)

The book makes one wonder whether their faith, their beliefs, are so fragile and vulnerable that they must fear and condemn everything that does not fit their narrow standards. it doesn't say much either for their God or their faith that they are so easily threatened, so constantly under attack. This may also a way of making themselves feel important - "we must be important and powerful or Satan/demons/spirits/heretics/etc wouldn't attack us so." It's also intellectually and theologically lazy - The Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it. If it doesn't agreee 100%, it can be discarded without further thought or investigation. And someone needs to explain to them: "Never attribute to evil that which can be explained by stupidity." Perhaps we should not, as they are, so quick to attribute "wrong" beliefs to Satan when human stupidity, ignorance, laziness, arrogance and evil are more likely to be at fault.

Also disturbing, to an academic, is the repeated assertion of general "facts" without any support or proof, such as the repeated recitation of "thousands of lives destroyed..." by cultic involvement. All too often, the authors are either disingenuous or fall back on petitio principi argument, and there is little to no attempt to place any of the groups in context - i.e., the currents of history and social thought had much influence on the founding of Freemasonry and its documented beliefs, but Ankerberg discusses none of this. Many of the refutations of those groups that are discussed at length are like going after a mosquito with a howitzer - are elaborate apologetics necessary when prima facie silliness presents itself? Ankerberg/Weldon give the impression that they are writing for an audience that is incapable of understanding, without their help, that the listed groups are incompatible with Christianity.

I will say that I found the book useful in a bibliographic sense. Apart from that, the only nice thing I have to say is that Ankerberg/Weldon and I at least agree on one thing, which is that the Jesus Seminar is nonsense.

This book looks at a variety of religious teachings under the heading "cults and new religions". The term "cults" - unless applied to those destructive organisations that brainwash and deceive - is usually a give-away. It's shorthand for "this book is written from a very particular position and we are going to condemn these people because their doctrines differ from ours; when we use the term cult we can defend it in strictly academic terms but we are well aware of the negative connotations it has, even though we're writing about people against whom accusations of cultic brainwashing cannot be made or sustained." The reader has had fair warning.

And so the book ranges over home-grown American Christian off-shoots, inoffensive communities like Unitarians, and representatives of bona fide world religions such as Zen (a well-established tradition within Buddhism) and the Baha'i (note the correct spelling, please) faith. All are put in the same basket. This is done "In Defense of the Faith" - a faith which is clearly to be defended not on its own merits but by attacking others.

Here in the United Kingdom the government, which has an interest in inter-faith relations and their implications for the cohesion of a multi-cultural society, has officially noted the existence in the country of communities from nine significant world religions, including Buddhism and Baha'i. An enlightened approach, and I prefer it to the one of putting lumping together everyone you don't agree with under the "cult / new religion"

This encylopedia features John Weldon's research into pagan and other non-Christian religious groups. As always, John Weldon brings the 'welder's torch' to the ideas and nature of various non-Christian groups. The text is carefully thought through and reflects the thoroughness of John Weldon's research. A very useful book for any believing Christian's bookshelf.

This is a dreadful book, a terrible, appalling piece of inflammatory and hostile pseudo-scholarship. (Can I make my evaluation of it any clearer?) With regard to the religious movements that I know well, it is false and misleading at almost every important point. Accordingly, I have no reason to trust it with respect to any religious movements that I don't know well.

This is a big book. 729 pages long. Too many cults to list. Some just cover what they belive, other major ones they give more info on. You can find this book reasonably priced. I am glad to have it in my collection.

Never send a fiercely confirmed traditional christian to do a scholars job. This book is largely worthless, due to the religious bias of the authors, who measure the worth and validity of the religions discussed by how closely they adhere to the authors' own beliefs. Only a "christian" publishing house could have inflicted this on the reading public. Suitable for sale only in right-wing fundamentalist christian reading rooms. Anyone seeking an objective study of the religions covered in this book should look elsewhere.

This is an excellent book for anyone who wishes to know the truth about cults and false religion. Well-researched and well-written, the authors let the founders of the various cults speak for themselves, carefully documenting each quote in copious end notes. Each group's view of the basic doctrines of Christianity are outlined, showing their astonishing similarity in rejecting the deity of Christ and pushing salvation by works. Best of all, the Doctrinal Appendix gives the biblical references for each Christian doctrine. Especially helpful is the table of proofs that Jesus is God with dozens of Old and New Testament references. Other reviews of this book should be read with care. When the light of Truth shines forth, darkness is made uncomfortable.

Inaccurate, biased portrayal of several different religions and faiths. Will someone do me a favor, and go to the SOURCE if you want to find out about something? When I want to know about Christianity I don't read a book written by an anti-christian, so why learn about other beliefs from people writing out of a biased position, and who enter the discussion on the premise of debunking anything except their own faith, and setting them up as inferior?

Please remember that there are two things... 1. Opinion; 2. Fact.

Meaning, if something isn't true, don't claim it as a fact simply because it is real in your opinion. This book makes the error of not basing its assumptions of other religions on fact. They have the opinion that other religions are all evil, and from their they construct their own series of facts, carefully selected and constructed so as to back up their opinion. Any person claiming to be a serious writer or academic as these writers claim to be, will always start out using facts, and then forming opinions from them. Not the other way around.

Ankerberg and Weldon would send any good-willed religion straight to Hell for not conforming to their idealism. With all of their inflated degrees they somehow missed the course on humanity. The many religions they "slam" are institutions that keep people out of our prisons and give spiritual hope and a sense of personal worth. Would a true "Christian" condemn something like that? I looked up "cult" in the dictionary, it defines any group that follows a set of principles or beliefs. Are we to suppose,from this book, that a cult is a dark, secret organization? Come on! The Authors omitted one "cult"; their own.