Customer Reviews

The New Believers: Sects, 'Cults' and Alternative Religions

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I original bought this book because I was curious about several alternative religions such as Chistian Science, Scientology,and Jehovah Witnesses. I wanted a book that would give me the nuts and bolts on those religions and others. This book did just that. It provided general information on many religions and cults that I have been curious about for decades.

One thing that is nice about this book is that it makes it easy for you to pick and choose among the religions you are interested in. That's exactly what I did. Like a buffet, I read about the religions I was interested in and left the rest for the next guy.

Overall this book is a fairly easy read and provides valuable information about dozens of alternative religions and cults that are or were active in America and Britain.

If you are interested in a brief history of alternative religions in America, I also recommend the book COMMUNITIES OF DISSENT by Stephen J. Stein.

A very clear history and description of cults both large and small. Entertaning and enlightening at the same time. Every Family should have a copy so the parents can at least provide some knowledge to the family on who and what these cults are all about.

The New Believers is an incredible undertaking, resulting in a truly remarkable, and extremely readable reference work. Barrett provides clear criteria with which each religion discussed has been included in the book, together with fascinating accounts of the original meanings of the often emotive descriptors: sects, cults and alternative religions.

Part One adresses common misconceptions and challenges the source of those opinions, going on to discuss major issues that affect our society today, from tabloid headlines to the losing of a loved one to a religious organisation.

Part Two centres on individual movements - from religions with Christian origins through to Neo-pagan movements and even Personal Development movements. Each entry provides details of the origin and history of the movement concerned, together with details of the beliefs and practices.

For teachers and preachers and other religious leaders through to journalists, interested parties or concerned relatives, this book provides a truly objective account of the many traditional religions and new religious movements across the world today.

Followers of any faith have a duty to read this book, and may well be surprised by the roots of their belief structure, the many off-shoots that have become mainstream faiths, and the unique objectivity Barrett has achieved.

This book focuses on so-called "alternative religions", which are basically groups that differ from the mainstream churches in their beliefs and practices. Some, such as the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses, consider themselves to be Christian. While others are derived from the Asian religions or from Paganism and other nature focused belief systems. Barrett maintains an objective approach throughout. But he does also explain the difference between a cult and a sect. The primary difference being that cults use tactics of brain washing and social control to lure and maintain its followers, the Moonies and the Hare Krishnas are two of the groups often accused of being cults though both claim to have now cleaned up their act. In contrast, sects have beliefs and practices that differ from the mainstream but do not uses "cultish" techniques to control their members, Christan Scientists and Bahais would likely belong to this category.

In any case, this book covers over 60 groups and belief systems, including the Jesus Group, the Nation Of Islam, Sahaja Yoga, Wicca, Druidry and Scientology. Barrett is slightly more critical of some groups than others, especially violent ones such as the Branch Davidians. But essentially he leaves it up to the indiviual reader to come to his or her own conclusions.

Religious fundamentalists seeking a book that bashes groups outside the mainstream will be sorely disappointed in this one. But for open minded people who want to learn about many different "alternative religions" in an objective and scholarly format this is an excellent choice.

Having read the reviews, I bought this for our Wednesday night bible study class at my Baptist church. We sometimes spend half an hour once a month looking at other beliefs. We were disappointed with this book and I ended up having to supplement many things by doing some research on the internet.