New religious movements : a guide for the perplexed / / Paul Oliver

• Record Nr.: UNINA9910789870503321
• Autore: Oliver Paul
• Pubbl/distr/stampa: London ; ; New York : , : Continuum, , 2012
• ISBN: 1-4725-4916-3; 1-283-38048-X; 9786613380487; 1-4411-2084-X
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (193 p.)
• Collana: Continuum Guides for the perplexed
• Disciplina: 209
• Soggetti: Cults; Sects
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Note generali: Description based upon print version of record.
• Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references (pages 176-180) and index.
• Nota di contenuto: Part I: Philosophical Issues and New Religious Movements -- 1. Conceptual Analysis and New Religious Movements -- 2. Application of Concepts to New Religious Movements -- Part II: A Survey of New Religious Movements -- 3. Movements Related to Hinduism -- 4. Movements Related to Christianity -- 5. Movements Related to Buddhism -- 6. Syncretistic Movements -- 7. A Synthesis of the Main Ideas -- Part III: Sociological and Psychological Themes in New Religious Movements -- 8. Psychological Themes in New Religious Movements -- 9. Gender and Diversity -- 10. Power and Authority -- 11. Postmodernism and the Development of New Religious Movements -- Glossary -- Bibliography -- Index.
• Sommario/riassunto: "New Religious Movements: A Guide for the Perplexed examines the phenomenon of new faiths and alternative spiritualities which has become a feature of the contemporary world. Those interested in the spiritual dimension to life are no longer limited to the major world faiths, but can draw upon a rapidly-expanding range of new religions. Some of these are derived from the major religions, some are a re-working of ancient traditions, while others signify a completely new departure in spiritual experience. This book analyses the concepts we use to discuss new religions, and surveys a range of different ; movements which were established in the second half of the 20th century. Paul Oliver explores the organization of the movements, and the psychological aspects of life within them; the distribution of power and authority within movements; the position of women in relation to such organizations, and finally, the nature of the evolution and expansion of such movements in relation to post-modern society. This book is ideal for students wishing to understand the more perplexing elements of this contemporary phenomenon."--Bloomsbury Publishing.; "This book analyses the concepts we use to discuss new religions, and surveys a range of different movements which were established in the second half of the 20th century"--provided by publisher."--Bloomsbury Publishing.