Alternative religions: a sociological introductionAlternative religions attract great public, academic and government interest in our apparently post-Christian society. Yet how did all the 'alternatives' develop, what are their beliefs and practices and how significant is their impact in terms of the world's religions and society?This book presents a comprehensive introduction to the major forms of alternative religions: Cults, Sects, New Religious Movements, the New Age, Fundamentalism, Pentecostalism, Ethnic Religions and Quasi-religions. Stephen Hunt presents sociological insights into the rise of alternative religions, their beliefs and practices, their impact, who joins them and why, and how they are being classified and could be re-classified in the future. Public and legal controversies surrounding some alternative religions, such as the so-called 'dangerous cults', are also explored. Offering a broad introduction to alternative religions, this book offers students added insights into contemporary themes such as secularisation, post-modernity, links between religion, healing and human potential, and changes in our global culture. |
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Contents
Alternative religion in perspective | 1 |
Figures | 9 |
Belief in occultist practices in Britain 197090 | 10 |
Copyright | |
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activities adherents Age movement alternative religions appear argued aspects attempt attracted become beliefs and practices Britain Buddhism cent Chapter Charismatic Charismatic movement Christ Christadelphians Christian fundamentalism claim concerned constitutes contemporary conversion counter-culture cults cultural decline denominations derived developed display divine doctrines embrace emphasis esoteric esotericism established ethnic evangelical evidence experience expressions faith forms of religion frequently fundamentalism fundamentalist global groups growth gurus healing Hence Hinduism human potential increasingly individual interpretation involved ISKCON Islam Jehovah's Witnesses Jesus Jesus movement Krishna lifestyle lives magic mainstream means membership ment middle-class millenarian moral Mormons Muslim mysticism neo-Paganism neo-Pentecostalism Nichiren Shoshu Nonetheless NRMs occult occultist organization pagan particularly Pentecostalism perceived popular quasi-religions Rajneesh religious movements Restorationism revival ritual Scientology sectarian sects secular significance Sikhism social sociological spiritual strands Subud suggests teachings tend themes tion traditional Christianity Unification Church various West Western societies Wicca worldview