This study looks at Aum's claims about itself and asks why a religious movement ostensibly focused on yoga, meditation, asceticism, and pursuit of enlightenment became involved in violent activities. Reader places the sect in the context of contemporary Japanese religious patterns, discussing developments in Asahara Shoko's personality and teachings, Aum's millennialism and its developing hostility toward society, and compares Aum with other religious and political movements that turned to violence, both in Japan and elsewhere. He concludes that Aum is not unique, nor is it solely a political or criminal terror group. It must rather be analyzed as an extreme example of a religious movement which, largely due to its own religious characteristics, came into friction with the surrounding society and developed into violence.
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About the Author
Ian Reader is professor of religious studies at Lancaster University.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Extraordinary book,
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This review is from: Religious Violence in Contemporary Japan: The Case of Aum Shinrikyo (Hardcover)
It seems that most books about the Aum Shinrikyou concentrate on the gas attacks of March 20, 1995. Of course this is extraodinarily important, but it is only a small piece of the puzzle because Aum Shinrikyou and its founder Asahara Shoko are much more complex. Reader gives the reader a very detailed look into the early days of Aum and its 's founding by Asahara, and he gives detailed entires of Asahara's sermons giving a step by steo analysis of how Aum went from a yoga group to one bent on the destruction of the world. A wonderful book that peels back many of the mysteries of Aum.
5.0 out of 5 stars
the best portrait of Aum Shinrikyo,
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This review is from: Religious Violence in Contemporary Japan: The Case of Aum Shinrikyo (Paperback)
Reader's Religious Violence in Contemporary Japan is a masterpiece of solid in-depth research and analysis that should be read by all persons interested in contemporary Japanese society and in modern religious movements. He consulted an amazing array of sources and conducted in-depth interviews with former and current Aum members who provide amazing insights into the movement. The most interesting chapter contains in-depth profiles of several members. Reader is also a brilliant writer whose lively and clear prose makes this book a genuine pleasure to read.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Engaging Work,
By jebrooker "pyreblade" (Virginia United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Religious Violence in Contemporary Japan: The Case of Aum Shinrikyo (Paperback)
I read this book for a college class. The book provides an interesting and unbiased account of the Aum Shinrikyo "cult" who attacked the tokoyo subway with serin gas. The account of the group's history is complete, and the book provides suggestions as to the motives of the group and its leader. Reader puts a lot of research into this book, including interviews with members and former members, and I would recomend this book to anyone interesting in the case or religious violence in general
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