New Religions As Global Cultures: Making The Human Sacred (Explorations; Contemporary Perspectives on Religion) [Paperback]

Irving Hexham (Author), Karla Poewe (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0813325080 | ISBN-13: 978-0813325088 | Publication Date: April 4, 1997

In the face of the popular crusade to link new religious movements to dangerous cults, brainwashing, and the need for deprogramming, Irving Hexham and Karla Poewe argue that many cults are in fact the product of dynamic interaction between folk religions and the teachings of traditional world religions. With the widespread loss of belief in biblical mythology in the nineteenth century, new mythologies based on science and elements derived from various non-Western religious traditions emerged, leading to the growth and popularity of new religions and cults. Drawing on examples from Africa, the United States, Asia, and Europe, the authors suggest that few new religions are really original. Most draw on rich, if localized, cultural traditions, which are then shaped anew by the influence of technological change and international linkages.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Irving Hexham is professor of religious studies and Karla Poewe is professor of anthropology, both at the University of Calgary. Irving Hexham is professor of religious studies and Karla Poewe is professor of anthropology, both at the University of Calgary.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Westview Press (April 4, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813325080
• ISBN-13: 978-0813325088
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,475,038 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A priceless resource for understanding new religions, August 26, 2002

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New Religions As Global Cultures: Making The Human Sacred (Explorations : Contemporary Perspectives on Religion) (Hardcover)

In this fascinating book, professors Karla Poewe and Irving Hexham look at the new religions that have been spawned within the last two hundred years, indeed right to this very day. The first chapter is a look at the "Great Anti-cult Crusade," wherein the authors show how many people, especially (but not limited to) those of a Christian background, have misunderstood, and battled the new religions. After that, the authors plunge into an erudite look at the new religious; placing them within a global context, showing the underlying concepts that tie the new religions together, and explaining what sets them apart from the older religions that they often claim to be a part of.

This book is quite fascinating, and offers the reader a real in-depth understanding of where the new religions are coming from and where they are going. Individual groups are referenced, but the focus of this book is on their underlying premises and similarities, rather than a look at each group in particular. My one complaint against this book is that is written in a scholarly tone, that sometimes makes the writing hard to follow (for me, that is). However, in spite of that, I do think that this is an excellent book, and a priceless resource for understanding new religions.