Apocalypse Observed: Religious Movements and Violence in North America, Europe, and Japan (Paperback)

by John R. Hall (Author) "Two years to the day after the 19 April 1993 conflagration at the Branch Davidians' Mount Carmel compound near Waco, Texas, a bomb destroyed the..." (more)
Key Phrases: cultural opponents, mystical apocalypse, next evolutionary level, Peoples Temple, Branch Davidians, Mount Carmel (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Required reading for anyone perplexed by the persistence of millenarian thought - Michael F. Brown, Williams College

This book takes an original and challenging view of a number of extremely controversial new religious movements. - Journal of Contemporary Religion

Hall's detailed analyses of these tragic cases are carefully documented and highly instructive, a valuable part of this volume and worthy of close examination.
–Stephan Stein, Religious Studies Review, April 2002

This book is a remarkable step toward understanding and explaining religious violence..
–The Journal of Religion

[The book's] strength is an analysis of two types of groups and their interaction with their larger societies: first, those whose violence is the 'outcome of escalating conflict between. . . a religious sect organized internally on the basis of apocalyptic ideas that yield a high degree of solidarity'. . .and second, those following a 'mystical Apocalypse of deathly transcendence.'.
– Choice, October 2000

Product Description
As the millennium approaches, there is renewed interest in Apocalyptic visions. Over the years, several groups, or cults have brought the idea of the Apocalypse into the media. In this important and timely work, Apocalypse Observed analyzes five of the most notorious cults of recent years. John R. Hall, along with Philip D. Schuyler and Sylvaine Trinh present a fascinating and revealing account of religious sects and conflict. Cults covered include: the apocalypse at Jonestown
* the Branch Davidians at Waco
* the violent path of Aum Shinrikyo
* the mystical apocalypse of the Solar Temple the mass suicide of Heaven's Gate.
Apocalypse Observed looks are each of these cults through an in-depth analysis. The authors show how the religious violence that brought these groups to the attention of the world-at-large did not erupt simple from the beliefs of the cult followers. The personalities of the cult leaders are explored. What drove Jim Jones, David Koresh, and Michael Applewhite to become some the world most famous "murderers?" What led ordinary citizens to follow these men? In this fascinating work, all of these issues, as well as several other are discussed.
Apocalypse Observed will also shed light on some of the lesser known, yet equally disturbing cults. This book will look at classic questions about the ultimate meaning of existence, and the way in which cults sought answers to such questions.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415192773
• ISBN-13: 978-0415192774
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,193,721 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)