Larson's New Book of Cults [Paperback]

Bob Larson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 1989

This updated and revised edition lists cults alphabetically for easy reference and contains cross-references to related cults and cult beliefs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 499 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers; Rev Sub edition (November 30, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0842328602
• ISBN-13: 978-0842328609
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #502,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good reference, but not much more., January 9, 2006

By 

Joshua Harp (Frankfort, KY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Larson's New Book of Cults (Paperback)

I begin my review from the premise that the absolute best answer for any question is thorough research.

That said, I am unaware of how much research Larson has engaged in while preparing this book. Across the board, he obviously has more understanding of a greater number of cults and religious beliefs than I, simply by virtue of the fact that he names and discusses religious groups which I have never heard of.

I am a devout Christian, and teach in my church. I picked this book up (or, more accurately, permanently borrowed from a friend--Hi Johann!) as a tool for reference while I was doing a short study on our church's doctrine compared to religious cults. The book proved to be useful for a quick reference, and for creating a short framework upon which to launch further study. However, the book is little more.

Since the book boasts of "Over 100 Cults Examined," and is only 499 pages long (including preface, TOC, and index), it is obvious that the average length for any given cult is less than 5 pages. If one is interested in knowing more about a particular cult, or a group of particular ones, this will not be the most thorough source you can find.

Lastly, while I am a Christian, I must admit that Larson ascribes "cult" status to many groups that are not so readily observed as such. For example, he includes Nostradamus, Yoga, Martial Arts, and even UFO's. While I do not ascribe to the teachings of any of the above, classification of them as "cults" may be problematic for various reasons. I'll leave that comment at that.

In order to find over 100 cults, Larson includes some groups whose classification of "cult" may be dubious, even if the teachings are ones we might consider cultic in nature. Example: I am entirely unconvinced that there is a general cult of believers in UFO's, even though I do not believe in UFO's and in fact consider the belief in UFO's to be (at least potentially) somewhat atheistic.

Here's the skinny: if you want a book that will give you some quick reference to a bunch of scattered and various books, then this is a good one to have on your shelf. For a couple of bucks you can't really lose, right? On the other hand, if you're looking for any depth in your research into any one or more cults, you should probably look elsewhere.

As I began with, the best tool for understanding is real research--something a bit more than a 2-7 page rundown.

17 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Unluckily, his statements about Hinduism are not truths, October 5, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Larson's New Book of Cults (Paperback)

Bob Larson has used many pages to provide his version of Hinduism. Unluckily, many are just half truths. Bob sees Hinduism as a threat to Christian faith. That is not true at all. To begin with HINDUISM IS THE CULTURE OF INDIA and not an organized religion like Christianity or Islam. It does not believe in conversions and it does not go around converting people of other religions to Hinduism. Bob states Hinduism should be viewed as religious anarchy in action. That is not true. Since it has no governing body Hinduism is an explosion of thoughts and ideas. In it you can see FREEDOM OF THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS. Not even one Hindu is ever banished from it since it was born at least 6000 years before the birth of Christ. No Hindu author was ever burnt or crucified for writing a book, whereas in the the Christian faith, countless thinkers had been banished for their frank statement. Even the author of the first English version of The Holy Bible, William Tyndale [1525] was accused of blasphemy and later burnt on stake. Hinduism never ever had a house cleaning, where as Christianity had several house cleanings from the first Council at Nicaea in 325 AD. During that council, bishop Arius was banished from the church for stating that Christ is a created being and not a procreator. After all the word TRINITY was never mentioned in the 66 books of the Holy Bible. Bob, believes that it is a crime in Hinduism to extrend kindness to those who are less fortunate. But Bob has not written one Hindu scriptural statement to prove his point. Bob also believes that doctrines of karma and reincarnation leave men in somewhat hopeless state. That is not true at all. Karma and reincarnation theory makes man responsible every second of his life rather than waiting for final judgement. After all REINCARNATION AND RESURRECTION are just theories. Nobody can prove them or disapprove them logically or scientifically. Those are beliefs of different cultures of the world. In Hindu scriptures one can read history and culture of Aryans and Dravidians. In Holy Bible one read about the history and culture of Jews. It does not talk about Chinese or Aryans in India. Bob believes that Hindus are worshiiping many gods. That is not true. Actually Hindus are only worshiping ONE AND ONLY GOD Brahman which expresses itself in millions of forms. That is why Hindus have no problem even worshiping Jesus Christ since he is an in carnation of God. Hope every one will read books like AM I A HINDU? before making up their mind about the most tolerent religion on earth, which gave a state funeral to Mother Theresa, the Holy Mother of India, a Christian nun. I think we have to read books which will bring us together. We have to read books which are BASED ON HISTORICAL FACTS AND FIGURES. I salute Bob for all the good things he has done through his book, exposing cults that prey upon the innocent and helpless.

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A noble effort but highly inaccurate information, April 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Larson's New Book of Cults (Paperback)

I have decided to take time to write this review in order to protect those seeking understanding. I have studied the world religions and the occult for over 15 years. I am a protestant exorcist, so these studies are relevant to my field. I do not disagree with Mr. Larson's christianity, however I do disagree with misrepresenting the doctrines of other religions. As a christian myself, my integrity will not allow me to give a false testimony against another. Some of the information that this book lists as the belief and practice of these religions is highly inaccurate (I hope not purposely misleading). I have unfortunately found this to be true of some of his other work as well. I do not recommend this book. I recommend a strong knowledge of the Bible combined with historical studies of the faiths in question, if you wish to gain an accurate knowledge of the comparative differences between christianity and the world religions.