The New Believers
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 Book Cover |
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| Author | David V. Barrett |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject(s) | Cults, Mind control |
| Genre(s) | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Castell Illustrated |
| Released | 2001 |
| Media type | Hardcover |
| Pages | 559 |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-84403-040-7 |
The New Believers is a book by David V. Barrett covering the origin, history, beliefs, practices and controversies of more that sixty new religious movements, including the Family, International Church of Christ, Osho (Rajneesh), New Kadampa Tradition, Wicca, Druidry, Chaos Magick, Scientology, and others.[1]
[edit] Contents
- Who, What & Why — The purpose of this book
- Is it a cult, or a real religion? — The problem of definition
- Sects appeal — Conversion, recruitment, mind control or brainwashing?
- Would you let your daughter marry one? — Problems for families of members
- So hard to say Goodbye — Problems of leaving a movement
- After the Prophet dies — How movements change
- It's the End of the World as we know it — Apocalyptic beliefs
- Cults that Kill — How, why, and can it happen again?
- Watching the watchers — The variety of cult experts
- Historical diversity — A Brief Summary of World Religions
- The Complexity of Christianity
- Christian Origins
- Other "Religions of the Book" Origins
- Eastern Movements in the West
- Esoteric & Neo-Pagan Movements
- Personal Development Movements
- Case Study: Schism in a Sect: The Worldwide Church of God & Its Offshoots
[edit] Reviews
- The Daily Telegraph
- "For connoisseurs of strange religion, here are riches indeed: gorgeously clad occult bishops who believe in both transubstantiation and reincarnation, neo-pagans whose sacred text is a science-fiction novel, the growing band of Rastafarian Maoris, and Holy Trinity Brompton’s Alpha Course. David Barrett’s The New Believers is an excellent guide to fringe religions that juxtaposes “respectable” movements and those conventionally dismissed as cults. And quite right too. By considering them together, he uncovers some disconcerting family likenesses and demonstrates that the eccentricities of personal revelation can disturb and refresh every religious tradition, be it Anglican or anthroposophist."[2]
- Daily Mail
- "Because most of us have only the haziest idea about the Moonies, Theosophy, Wicca, Druidry etc, David Barrett has compiled a no-nonsense, comprehensive survey packed with non-judgmental information about the beliefs, aims and activities of such movements. Barrett took me by surprise, and made me realise just how prejudiced I am about cult groups".[3]
- Catholic Herald
- "The complexities of the situation are beautifully conveyed by this fat and compellingly readable guide to sects and "alternative" religions. It allows the groups to speak for themselves, gives proper weight to their critics, and relishes the baroque weirdness that some, but not all, of its subjects display. Every Catholic institution should invest in a copy."[4]
- Skeptical Inquirer
- "A comprehensive guide to new religious movements. The book takes a comparative religion approach; it treats no theological position as more true, valid, or sound than any other. The author says he has aimed not just for fairness but for accuracy. Part One deals with major issues of alternative religions, including what is a cult and what is a real religion, conversion and recruitment, problems for family members, problems for leaving a movement, and cult-watchers and experts. Part Two contains entries on individual movements, organized into five sections: Christian origins, Other "Religions of the Book" origins, Eastern origins, Esoteric and neo-Pagan movements, and personal development.",[5]
- San Francisco Bay Guardian
- "In Barrett's lengthy conclusion he makes the argument that — despite the oddball and even self-destructive nature of some religious operations — it's not our job to judge. Here in the West the right to worship any gods or goddesses one chooses is still intact. This book goes a long way toward curing our historical amnesia regarding religion and helping us see that even the mainstream religions that today dominate spiritual discourse started with an inspired individual standing on a rock, preaching a divine vision."[6]
[edit] References
- ^ The New Believers (undated).
- ^ The Daily Telegraph, February 10, 2001
- ^ Daily Mail, February 16, 2001
- ^ Catholic Herald, February 23, 2001
- ^ Skeptical Inquirer, July 2001
- ^ San Francisco Bay Guardian, April 20, 1997
