Amazon.com: New Religions As Global Cultures: Making The Human Sacred (Explorations. Contemporary Perspectives on Religion): Irving Hexham, Karla Poewe: Books

Product Description

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.

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 3, 1997)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0813325080
ISBN-13: 978-0813325088
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #727,483 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
Throughout the world numerous news reports reflect public concern about "cults." Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
iconic leadership, most new religions, personal reorganization, mythological fragments, box myths, many new religions, primal experiences, other new religions, contemporary religious movements, central mythology, new religionists, healing myths, trance channeling, dangerous cults, new religious movements, contemporary religions, cult experts, yogic tradition, mythological framework

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Unification Church, South Africa, New Dispensation, Roman Catholic, United States, Joseph Smith, Third World, New Testament, North America, Jehovah's Witnesses, The Book of Mormon, Helena Blavatsky, Sun Myung Moon, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Children of God, Hare Krishna, People's Temple, World War, Christian Science, Solar Temple, Age of Aquarius, Church of England, Soka Gakkai, American Indians

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 100 books:

The Secret Doctrine by H. P. Blavatsky on 5 pages
Out on a Limb by Shirley MacLaine on 4 pages
Divine Principle by Sun Myung Moon on 4 pages
The Idea of the Holy by R. Otto on page 76, page 77, and Back Matter
Annie Besant (Lives of Modern Women) by Rosemary Dinnage on page 50, and Back Matter

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13 books cite this book:

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Books on Related Topics (learn more)

New Religious Movements and Religious Liberty in America by Derek H. Davis

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2 of 2 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 (Marseilles, Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 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.

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