Contrary to conventional wisdom, violent episodes involving cults are rare historically. But their potential to affect and disrupt civic life looms large and efforts to manage these incidents involve controversial issues of religious freedom, politics, state intervention, and public security. The interpretive challenge of this book is to provide a social scientific explanation for these rare events. The authors conclude that they usually involve some combination of internal and external dynamics through which a new religious movement and society become polarized.

A Will to Choose surveys the first century of African American Methodism from its emergence in the 1860s through the changes wrought by the Civil War. From the beginning of Methodism in the United States, African Americans appropriated Methodism, helped transform it from a revitalization movement into an evangelical church, and integrated it into their struggle for liberation and wholeness.

This book begins with a comprehensive historical section that places the New Age within the context of its predecessor movements. It then focuses on specialized aspects of this subculture, from essays on the convergence of New Age spirituality with women's spirituality, to an essay on how Evangelical Christians have responded to the movement. The book also examines the international impact of the New Age.

Preceded by three introductory essays and a chronology of major events in black religious history from 1618 to 1991, this A-Z encyclopedia includes three types of entries: * Biographical sketches of 773 African American religious leaders * 341 entries on African American denominations and religious organizations (including white churches with significant black memberships and educational institutions) * Topical articles on important aspects of African American religious life (e.g., African American Christians during the Colonial Era, Music in the African American Church) The biographical...

Revised from the 1977 edition, lists, briefly describes, and gives names and addresses (where available) for religious bodies in the US. The sections include Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Latter-Day Saints, metaphysical/new age, Shinto, Sikhism, Taoism, and unclassified groups. I

Covers the history, founders, beliefs, and literature of over five hundred nonconventional and alternative religious movements.

This text explores the impact of Muslims on American culture, social issues and politics and offers a glimpse into the lives of the most important and influential Muslims in the country. Readers will also be introduced to the basic history and beliefs of the intricate religion.

One in four Americans is Roman Catholic, and the beliefs, practices, structures, and loyalties of this large faith community are important to the political, social, and religious life of America. This book explores the dynamic and sometimes difficult relationship that Catholics have with American culture and society. It describes Catholics' history, contributions, unique characteristics, and participation in American life from the beginnings of the nation to the present. This volume portrays key figures and events in the life of American Catholicism, clarifies topics that may be commonly...

America is often thought of as a Protestant nation and slightly more than half of the population currently profess their membership in a church rooted in the original Protestant movement of the 16th century. Protestants established their churches in the American colonies early on, their descendents fought in the American Revolution, and they took the lead in conquering the continent and civilizing the frontier. Their culture dominated the land through the 19th century and it continues to wield a vast influence on the direction of American life even today. This volume focuses on those churches...

People of the Jewish faith first arrived in America in 1492. This text traces their journey from the early days in America and their participation in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, to the impact of World War II and the Holocaust on Jewish life in America.