Alternative Religions: A Sociological Introduction: A Sociological Introduction

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to alternative religions, including cults, sects, new religious movements, the New Age, fundamentalism, Pentecostalism, ethnic religions, and quasi-religions, exploring their beliefs, practices, impact, and controversies. It offers sociological insights into the rise of alternative religions and their classification.

Format: Hardback
Publication date: 01 January 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Alternative religions have gained significant public, academic, and government interest in our post-Christian society. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the major forms of alternative religions, including cults, sects, new religious movements, the New Age, fundamentalism, Pentecostalism, ethnic religions, and quasi-religions. The author offers 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. This book offers students added insights into contemporary themes such as secularization, post-modernity, links between religion, healing, and human potential, and changes in our global culture.

ISBN-13: 9781138720541