Odd Gods: New Religions and the Cult Controversy [Hardcover]

James R. Lewis (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2001

Lewis analyses the characteristics of truly dangerous groups compared to those of the merely unusual but innocuous, and he discusses what people find attractive about membership in minority religions, as well as community suspicions and media hype that lead to misunderstandings. The bulk of the book is devoted to a broad-based survey of unusual religious groups. Included are minority religious sects stemming from Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh tradition, as well as unrelated groups such as the Moonies, Wiccans, Satanists, Spiritualists, Channellers, Scientologists, the Heaven's Gate cult, a host of New Age and UFO groups, and many others. This is the definitive sourcebook for understanding and researching the crazy-quilt landscape of free religious expression in America.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This valuable compendium of data about religious minority groups, many of which have been branded as "cults" by the media, challenges commonly held stereotypes and offers objective criteria for determining the actual danger such religions may pose. Lewis (professor of religious studies at the University of Wisconsin and author of Doomsday Prophecies: A Complete Guide to the End of the World) presents an insightful critique of media representation, arguing that American society tends to project its own worst shortcomings on marginalized groups. The book's three dozen (regrettably anonymous) contributors go on to discuss the histories, leaders and theologies of various groups, including the Unification Church, the Hare Krishna movement, Heaven's Gate, the People's Temple, the Church of Scientology, Adventists of various affiliations, Koresh's Branch Davidians, numerous white-supremacist religious groups and the so-called "UFO religions." The anthology also addresses popularizations and new interpretations of long-established religions such as Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism and Hinduism, and also paganism. The book contains much in the way of legal history, as many of these groups have had battles about their beliefs and practices in court. The contributors are knowledgeable and evenhanded, making this a useful text for anyone who wishes to learn about alternative religions in contemporary America. Overall, this is a thoroughly researched, well-coordinated collection of clear information on a much-distorted topic. (Feb.)
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Although not so titled, this is in fact an encyclopedia. It deals with religions and related movements considered out of the mainstream. After two helpful chapters on religious freedom and persecution, cults, and court, legislative, and governmental action regarding cults and new religions, a variety of contributors provide entries of a few paragraphs to a few pages on a wide-ranging collection of movements from Old Catholics to Black Judaism, Aum Shinrikyo, Wicca, Scientology, and more. Much of the material is based on Lewis's previous works, Cults in America (LJ 2/1/99) and Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions (Prometheus, 1998). Lewis identifies one element common to these diverse groups; they are all controversial. The differences among them, however, are great. Some would be judged harmful and even dangerous (Heaven's Gate), others unusual (Aetherius Society), still others practically mainstream (Seventh Day Adventists). A handy reference book and good starting point on its subjects. John Moryl, Yeshiva Univ. Lib., New York
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 395 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books; First Edition edition (February 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573928429
• ISBN-13: 978-1573928427
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #992,716 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Decent basic guide to Unusual Newer Religions,, October 30, 2001

By 

C. J. Hardman (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Odd Gods: New Religions and the Cult Controversy (Hardcover)

Especially those in the U.S.A. Although most chapters are by no means all inclusive, they offer a good source of basic information relating to the founding and general beliefs of each group. The information is presented in an unbiased way (this is the first comprehensive guide to small religious groups and "cults" not done by a christian group), and includes information on the legal boundaries of religion in the US of A, as well as some past cases involving the exercise of religious freedoms. Most of the book goes over the means and methods of various sundry religious movements, such as the Children of God, American Sikhs, Hebrew Israelites, and so on.

This book will make a good addition to any school or library collection, especially since it is not Selling any particular brand of faith, but simply presenting information and allowing the reader to draw conclusions. Anyone with an interest in religion, mind control, sociology or psychology should appreciate the interesting information herein!

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Cult apologist rehashes old material, April 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Odd Gods: New Religions and the Cult Controversy (Hardcover)

Sociologist Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi described Lewis' work as "a travesty of research." Indeed, it is not hard to see why James R. Lewis is known as a cult apologist (defender). A simple internet search provides a wealth of documentation.

An additional buyer-beware: this book does not contain new material. All chapters are drawn from Lewis' previous works, and the material does not appear to have been updated.