Product Description
Since the early 1970s, alternative religious movements known as cults have been the focus of ever-increasingcontroversy in America. This reference handbook compares present-day cults to events in earlier American history,while primarily dealing with cults as a contemporary phenomenon. The key issue of mind control is covered indetail, as are deprogramming and the anti-cult movement. Overviews of the most controversial churches, andbiographies of their leaders, are prominent features of this book. Legislative efforts and court decisions, particularlythose surrounding the issue of religious liberty, are covered in detail. The volume features a directory oforganizations in both the United States and Europe, a selected bibliography, print and nonprint resources, achronology with the dates of religious events in American history, and coverage of events such as the Solar Templeand Heaven's Gate incidents. ... Read more

Product Description
Drawing on poetry, vernacular hagiography, legendaries, historical documentation, reliquaries, holy wells and church dedications, as well as archaeological and visual evidence, this book provides a scholarly and accessible study of the cult of the saints in all of the Celtic regions of Europe. It is unique in that it draws on the leading scholars in the field from Wales, Ireland, England, Scotland, France, Canada and America. ... Read more

Product Description
...despite their disagreements, these authors pay unanimous tribute to the stimulating and provocative quality of Peter Brown's scholarship. Both their criticism and their praise merit a broad audience.--The Journal of Religion "...the scholarship represented by the individual contributions is of the highest quality...and well worth the read."--History ... Read more

Product Description
Up-to-date, well-documented, comprehensive coverage of cults, sects, and world religions, from the historical to the contemporaryINCLUDES* Well-known groups and world religions, such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Islam, and Baha'i* Groups with a significant North American influence, including Santeria, Rastafarians, Haitian Voodo, white supremacy groups, Wicca, and SatanismREVISED, UPDATED, AND EXPANDED TO INCLUDE NEW ENTRIES AND NEW INFORMATION* Updated information on Islam and its global impact* New entries: the Branch Davidians, Native American religions, Heaven's Gate, Aum Supreme Truth, the Boston Movement, the Masonic Lodge, and many others* Developments in the world of cults and the occultEncyclopedic Dictionary of Cults, Sects, and World Religions is arguably the most significant reference book on the subject to be published. Formerly titled Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions, and the Occult, it provides reliable information on the history and beliefs of nearly every form of religion active today. This extensively revised edition includes new topics, updated information, and a brand-new format for a clearer, more organized approach.The authors evaluate the beliefs and practices of each group from the perspective of the Bible and the historic creeds of the Christian church. You'll also find group histories, numerous illustrations, charts, current statistics, websites, bibliographies, and other useful information. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

This Dictionary Rapes The Truth
Most of us buy books to educate ourselves and NOBODY wants to spend time researching false facts that only make us grow more ignorant and misinformed. Yet that is exactly what this so-called dictionary attempts to do; promote ignorance and slanderous lies (when it's not simply providing partial truths).

The authors clearly did NOT research the occult or much about the other religious groups they write about. Not only do they repeatedly credit Satanism for beliefs completely unrelated to that Sect, but they mutilate any respectable definition of the peace sign -- calling it the "Satanists Pentacle" (when penta is the prefix meaning "five" and there are no five points inside a peace sign).

Regarding the Wiccan Rede -- the authors erroneously attribute it to Aleister Crowley who had NOTHING to do with either Wicca or with the Rede, as an ethical principle that's regularly drummed around many neo-pagan circles. Many would argue Crowley had nothing to do with ethics at all. In fact, he purported "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole law" (feel like having sex with your neighbor's infant? Do it!) while the Wiccan Rede states "An it harm none, do what ye will." The authors also falsely claim that Satanists follow the Rede, when they are not at all compelled by Wiccan dogma, but (according to the Satanist Bible) follow their own rules to do whatever's the OPPOSITE of Christianity.

The two examples, provided above, are but the tip of the iceberg for how inaccurate is this dictionary. (I hope you find this review helpful/truthful because I utterly adore books and education and we'd all benefit from promoting intelligence instead of lies.)

Best advice in regards to this "dictionary": Save your money. THESE GROSSLY IGNORANT PAGES ARE NOT FIT FOR THE BOTTOM OF THE BIRD CAGE.

That's Amazon
Hey- ordering Amazon has a fantastic way of being proficient. It has been helpful and informative (the book that is).

Good cataloging, horrible interpretation
Though commenting upon an array of religions, cults, and sects so great you could hardly ask for more, this book is crippled by its own bias.

It is written from such a Christian-centered viewpoint that all non Judaic religions become horribly tainted. Just about everything, even religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism which pre-date Christianity, are compared extensively to the Christian faith. The trouble in this is, as any student of subaltern groups knows, that the reader cannot develop an organic understanding of a religion, but rather can only see religions as measured by the yardstick of Christianity.

For example, the section on Buddhism is broken down into the following categories: History, Teachings, God, Sin, Salvation & the Future, Morality, and Conclusion. In every section except for History and Conclusion, Buddhism is compared to Christianity, even though Buddhism predates Jesus by hundreds of years. The authors do not even attempt to hide such bias, openly declaring that they will portray Buddhism only through Christian lenses on page 42.

The section on Christianity itself is almost laughable. The masturbatory, emotive waxing on the noble history of Christianity (and its inherent correctness!) in the conclusion is hilariously sad. "Yet despite persecution, moral laxity, heresies challenging it both from within and without, the church of Jesus Christ prevails... It has experienced dark moments, but even as the darkness of the first Good Friday gave way to the brightness and splendor of the resurrection and the empty tomb, so too has the church experienced a glorious history with a future that will be brighter still when Jesus and the church - that is, when the bridegroom and the bride - unite forever." (Page 72)

If you want a comprehensive list of religions, cults, and sects, this will do - but if you want to understand them and see them from a relatively neutral viewpoint, go elsewhere.

P.S. Zoroastrianism doesn't have its own encyclopedic entry. Hello!? The People's Temple (the organization/cult of Jim "Purple Kool-Aid" Jones) which had perhaps 1000 members at its height gets its own section, but not a religion which heavily informed both Christianity and Islam and which still boasts 200,000 members world-wide today.

Unbiased?
The book has alot of good information but they continually compare every religion or doctrine to their own obviously fundalmentalist Christian views. It gets a little old time after time reading how this organization is wrong because they're not the right kind of Christian.

Which Is the "Christian" Doctrine?
Which Is the "Christian" Doctrine?

Suppose for a moment that the Latter-day Saints were to take seriously the demand that they conform in every particular to "Christian" doctrine, and that they thenmade the attempt to do so. Having complied with such a demand, would theLatter-day Saints find themselves in total agreement with Protestants orwith Catholics? Would they believe in apostolic succession or in thepriesthood of all believers? Would they recognize an archbishop, apatriarch, a pope, a monarch, or no one at all as the head of Christ'schurch on earth? Would they be saved by grace alone, or would they find thesacraments of the church necessary for salvation? Would they believe infree will or in predestination? Would they practice water baptism? If so,would it be by immersion, sprinkling, or some other method? Would theybelieve in a substitutionary, representative, or exemplary atonement? Wouldthey or would they not believe in "original sin"? And on andon.

It is unreasonable for other Christians to demand that Latter-daySaints conform to a single standard of "Christian" doctrine whenthey do not agree among themselves upon exactly what that standard is. Todo so is to establish a double standard; doctrinal diversity is toleratedin some churches, but not in others. The often-heard claim that all trueChristians share a common core of necessary Christian doctrine rests on thedubious proposition that all present differences between Christiandenominations are over purely secondary or even trivial matters-matters notcentral to Christian faith. This view is very difficult to defend in thelight of Christian history, and might be easier to accept if Protestantsand Catholics- or Protestants and Protestants, for that mat-ter-had notonce burned each other at the stake as non-Christian heretics over thesesame "trivial" differences. ... Read more

Product Description
When Kate Barlow was a little girl, she moved with her mother and her older sisters to a ramshackle English mansion. They were not alone on the once-grand estate, surrounded as they were by twenty eccentric, elderly women, one of whom was her grandmother . . . or was she? This remarkable memoir is the true story of life inside "The A," the infamous Agapemone,* named for the Greek word meaning Abode of Love. It was a religious cult founded in mid-19th century England by a defrocked clergyman who claimed to be guided personally by the Holy Ghost. Agapemonites, many of whom were wealthy, unmarried women, lived together on the estate. They believed the Second Coming was imminent and that their founder would live forever. When Henry James Prince died unexpectedly, his successor declared himself the reincarnation of Jesus Christ, an announcement which caused rioting in the streets. The book reveals the author's gradual awakening to the religious and sexual scandal that enveloped her family, as first the founder and then his heir -- Kate's grandfather -- continued the practice of taking so-called "spiritual" brides. In fact, these relationships were physical as well as spiritual, and some produced illegitimate children, Kate's mother being one of them.Although much of this family history was hidden from Kate at first, she knew something was not right. "We all knew our home was ‘different' -- the world behind those stone walls never let us forget it -- but just how different and the reasons why would take many years to unearth." Life inside Agapemone was much like living inside a giant puzzle. It took years for Kate to assemble all of the pieces. When the final piece snapped into place, and she discovered the truth of her heritage, closure remained elusive. Today, she and her sisters are still connected to her grandfather's cult as owners of the Arc of the Covenant, an exquisitely beautiful Victorian church built by the sect in north London. This first inside account of the infamous cult is also a story about family, and its lingering legacy on several generations, including Kate Barlow's own mother. It is a gripping, sometimes humourous, deeply human tale. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Her story of being raised in the cult
Part autobiography/family memoir and part religious inspection, ABODE OF LOVE: GROWING UP IN A MESSIANIC CULT tells of being raised at Agapemone, a cult whose religion embraced religious and sexual scandal that absorbed her family as her distant relatives down to her grandfather took 'spiritual' brides. The author and her sisters own the Arc of the Covenant, a Victorian church in London: her story of being raised in the cult, her family, and the influences of its teachings makes for a gripping story. ... Read more

Product Description

In Vergil's Aeneid, the poet implies that those who have been initiated into mystery cults enjoy a blessed situation both in life and after death. This collection of essays brings new insight to the study of mystic cults in the ancient world, particularly those that flourished in Magna Graecia (essentially the area of present-day Southern Italy and Sicily).

Implementing a variety of methodologies, the contributors to Mystic Cults in Magna Graecia examine an array of features associated with such "mystery religions" that were concerned with individual salvation through initiation and hidden knowledge rather than civic cults directed toward Olympian deities usually associated with Greek religion. Contributors present contemporary theories of ancient religion, field reports from recent archaeological work, and other frameworks for exploring mystic cults in general and individual deities specifically, with observations about cultural interactions throughout. Topics include Dionysos and Orpheus, the Goddess Cults, Isis in Italy, and Roman Mithras, explored by an international array of scholars including Giulia Sfameni Gasparro ("Aspects of the Cult of Demeter in Magna Graecia") and Alberto Bernabé ("Imago Inferorum Orphica"). The resulting volume illuminates this often misunderstood range of religious phenomena.

Product Description
Comprehending Cults, Second Edition, provides a sociological interpretation of the phenomenon of new religious movements. While the author does not offer an apologia for cults--in either a religious or a sociological sense--he does attempt to replace suspicion and misinformation with a greater knowledge of the facts (as best we know them) and a measure of sympathetic understanding.
Completely revised and updated in this second edition, the book examines all aspects of cults, while striving to delineate the very real limits of our knowledge. In addition to dealing with the troublesome aspects of the subject, including issues of violence, sexuality, and brainwashing, the author also considers the possibility that new religious movements are a source of spiritual satisfaction to their members. Offering up-to-date social science research about contemporary religious cults, Comprehending Cults, Second Edition, is ideal for undergraduate sociology of religion and new religious movements courses. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

satisfied customer
it's a really interesting book. it really opened my eyes to the types of people who join cults and why, I was really suprised.

Read This!
My prediction is that cultic behavior is going to increase in the future.
Therefore, read this book if you want to understand the phenomenon, and the people who join cults. I believe we are totally unprepared for an increase in cults and for what that would mean for us personally and for the society as a whole. What are the limits if any for religious freedom? Who decides? This book is certainly a great start in beginning to comprehend what cults are. and what they mean socially.

Deeply biased
The scholarship here is certainly broad, but that is almost entirely overshadowed by the author's anti-religion biases.

Certainly worth reading
Granted, the wording could use some work, but the "brainwashed" chapter was a refreshing perspective I hadn't found in six other books I have read on the subject."Who Joins" also was a chapter that included pieces I had not found elsewhere.A perfect place to start for a sociological perspective.Generally free of strong pro or anti religious bias. Recommended.

Dawson's writing is hopeless
This book is poor quality.

At McMaster University I was excited to take their Cults in North America course. After having to purchase and read Dawson's Comprehending Cults my excitement changed to agony.This is probably one of the most poorly written university texts I've had to buy.

Here is why
-miscellany of random quotes are splattered among the writing, use of quotes also seem irrelevant to the topics discussed.
-its needlessly wordy you'll read paragraph after paragraph and it just looks like an incoherent mess
-Dawson is bold enough to create his own social scientific model that would only exist in a vacuum...when it comes to examining NRMs in the real world, his model utterly falls apart
-his treatment of NRMs is very condescending: you'd have to read it (which i don't recommend doing)

I actually emailed Lorne Dawson (University of Waterloo), politely asking him about some of the things in his text.Its hard to really explain further here but he gave me a very dismissive reply.

The problem is that NRMs and cults are difficult to study scientifically, Dawson work exemplifies this fact.Mr. Dawson, that is not a compliment.

I want my money back. ... Read more

Product Description
The authoritative reference work on major cult systems for nearly forty years. Working closely together, Ravi Zacharias and Managing Editors Jill and Kevin Rische (daughter of Dr. Martin) have updated and augmented the work with new material. This book will continue as a crucial tool in countercult ministry and in evangelism for years to come. Among cults and religions included are: Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism, New Age Cults, the Unification Church, Baha’i Faith, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (148)

Dishonest, Contentious
There are several things that are unforgivable for an author. First, if he claims credentials he/she doesn't have; second, if he/she is contentious and overly judgmental. There are many more, but these will do for the late "Doctor" Walter Martin, who wasn't a Ph.D or a Reverend at all, despite his initial claims. Martin also arbitrarily defines which religions people belong to that are "cults" and what a cult entails. These include the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (which not only is a "cult," but is not "Christian"); Jehovah's Witnesses; Seventh Day Adventists; Worldwide Church of God and a number of others. He not only defines these religious sects as "cults," he privately condemned Catholicism as well -- though he didn't include them in this work.

But what is a cult? Are all cults bad, or evil, or only the ones covered in this book? In his haste to condemn the religions he didn't particularly care for, he failed to include first century Christianity as a cult, despite its meeting all the criteria. Jesus was a charismatic leader with close followers; he built his religion on Judaism, demanded that his followers give all their time and energy to the church, established a church that had a reputation for secrecy and which taught "mysteries" that were never spelled out. First century Christianity was considered a cult by the Greeks, Romans, Jews and Celsus, an early enemy of the church who used tactics very similar to Martin. Yet Martin doesn't include Christianity itself as a cult!

Martin's source material was all second hand. In short, he lifted most of his material from other anti-Mormon, anti-Jehovah's Witness and anti-Seventh Day Adventist books, yet he rarely gave them credit, but copied their sources, including errors in some cases.

I heard recorded debates by Martin, and he was contentious and motivated by hate, a term I don't use lightly. He never hesitated to engage "in your face" confrontations, frequently engaging in sarcasm and outrageous accusations. For years his book was a "bible" for those who wanted a quick reference to discredit the targeted churches. Martin's insistence that the "deviations" from "historical Christianity" make these religions "cults" is absurd on its face. After all, he doesn't include Catholicism (which bears little resemblance to the early church, with its designated saints, candles, luxurious robes, headdresses, rosary, transubstantiation and more); Calvinism, with its predestination, concept of the "elect," which states that people are born either to salvation or damnation, etc., and many other "Christian" sects which get a free pass. One wonders why?

For those who don't necessarily care whether Martin's information is particularly accurate or not, the book may please; however, if you use it against those who are familiar with the source material, it's best to have other works at hand. And most of all, one should certainly not confuse this with or consider it a serious "apologetic" or scholarly work. As stated, it's material is lifted from other books written to discredit newer religions

In the end, Martin is a scam. From the beginning, when he got his degree from a diploma mill, his life has been a lie. John K. Wise, a Mormon, reviewed Martin's book and saw Martin's approach was simple:

1. Try to sound concerned and caring.
2. Try to sound impartial, but cast everything about [these religions] in [their] most negative light.
3. At all costs, say nothing positive about [them]!
4. If something positive must be said, make it sound sinister and deceptive.
5. Portray [them] so that everything sounds either ridiculous or outrageous, or both.
6. Even though you may be stretching the truth, it's okay, because the end (i.e., converting [them]) justifies the means; plus, you'll be doing God a favor.

In modern parlance, this is known as "lying for the Lord," which the reverend doctor does with flourish! ([...])

I still have my 20th Century Version, but I assume the revisions have been modest. If you want a real treat, do an image search for Ravi Zacharias!

we are supposed to help cultists, rather than bashing them
This book has quite a reputation in counter-cult circles, and after having heard many of the late Dr. Martin's debates I had great expectations.
"The Kingdom of the Cults" opens with an explanation of what a cult is, and why it is important to refute them. After a brief explanation of their vocabulary and the psychological structure of cultism, the following chapters present the history and believes of each cult from their own literature, and refute them using the Bible.
The religious groups included in the book are:

Jehovah's Witnesses
Christian Science
Mormons
Spiritism
Theosophical Society
Zen Buddhism
Baha'i
Unity School
Worldwide Church of God
Unification Church
Scientology
Hinduism
Osho Rajneesh
Hare Krishna
Transcendental Meditation
Islam
Seventh Day Adventism
Unitarians
Rosicrucian Fellowship
Swedenborgians

The above sects are analyzed primarily in a theological way. The chapter on Mormonism is probably the highlight of the book, as it contains more information than most other books that I have read on the subject.
Even though the book came out almost half a century ago, it is still reasonably accurate.
The problem with this book is not what the author says about the cults, but how he says it.
The tone is seriously judgmental and negative. There is very little Christian love within its pages. It seems like the author's intent was not to help free cultists from the bondage of a false religion, but rather to bash them.
The book is also confused at times. The author includes Zen Buddhism as a cult even though it clearly does not have the marks of a cult he listed in the first chapter, but then goes on to say that Seventh Day Adventism is a Christian denomination, although they possess those same cultish characteristics!
Interestingly enough, Catholics and Masons are not even mentioned.
To conclude, if you just want to gather information about the cults, this might be the book for you; but if you want some help to have a productive discussion with a cultist, then look somewhere else.
There are much better books on the subject of cult evangelism, like those from David Reed and RonRhodes, for example.

Misinformation and Out Dated!
The information in this book is way out of date and a lot of it is misinformation. He even uses questionable sources to support his statements when the source he quotes got the facts wrong.

Honest with You
The Book was in excellent Condition! The Shipping arrived quickly and their packaging of my book was great! I will by more books from here if they have what I need or want.

Why Biblical inerrancy is simply incorrect
This author has taken all the passages that support his conservative form of Christianity as being literal, and used it as an excuse to attack many other forms of sincere worship.

This generally leads to conflict, and has historically led to many church schisms, wars, crusades and recreational burnings at the stake. Let's look at why inerrancy is simply incorrect:

1. Even one proven error can shatter the whole belief system and make the Bible seem useless to some believers. This creates an easy target for skeptics.

2. Many Christian faith groups in North America, which number in excess of 1,000. All or essentially all believe that their group's beliefs are based on the Bible. Many take the position that they are the "true" church. Yet their belief systems differ. No way to resolve these.

3. Translation errors due to source ambiguity: Inerrancy of the Bible refers only to the original, autograph copies of each book, as written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. Hebrew is an extremely ambiguous language. Some passages in the Hebrew Scriptures may be interpreted in many different ways.

4. Inclusion/exclusion of the Apocrypha: The Bible used by Jesus, his disciples, and the early Christian movement was the Septuagint, a Greek translation from the original Hebrew. It included a number of books that are commonly called the Apocrypha. These books appear in the translations of the Bible used by Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and some Anglican churches, but have been deleted in the translations used by Protestants and most Anglicans. One reason for this rejection was a passage which implies the existence of Purgatory.

5. There were three main movements within early Christianity: the Jewish Christians, Pauline Christians and Gnostics. Among them, there were on the order of forty gospels, probably hundreds of epistles (letters). All were considered authoritative by various early Christian groups. When the bishops fixed the official canon, they selected the Hebrew Scriptures, and 27 books.

6. The Gospel of John was almost rejected by the early Church because of its Gnostic content. Revelation almost did not make it into the Bible either, because it described God in angry, hateful terms that seemed incompatible with the loving Abba (Dad) that Jesus prayed to.

7. Grammatical errors: Biblical scholars have noted that almost every page of the Bible, whether written in Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek contains both spelling and grammatical errors. Some mistakes by later copyists, but also in the original copy.

8. Intentional translation errors: No Bible translation is free of bias. Essentially all versions are the product of translators who come from a similar theological background. Being human, they sometimes produce versions of the Bible that tend to match their own belief systems.

9. Copying Errors: A small number of conservative Christians believe that a particular English translation of the Bible is inerrant. Often this is the King James Version (KJV). first published in 1611 CE. However, most believe that it is only the original autograph copy as written by the author in Hebrew, Aramaic and/or Greek which is inerrant. This leaves open the possibility that subsequent manual copying introduced mistakes into the book.

10. Symbolic vs. Literal Interpretation: Not all passages in the Bible can be interpreted literally. For example: John 15:1 describes Jesus as saying: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman." (ASV). The Bible had many references to slavery.

11. Multiple Authorship: Some passages in the Bible appear at first glance to be completely written by a single author: e.g. the Pentateuch (Genesis to Deuteronomy) state that they were written down by Moses. The book of Isaiah was written by Isaiah; the Book of Daniel by Daniel; the Gospel of Mark by a single author. But analysis of the books' content and style reveals that the Pentateuch was written by several authors from different traditions over many centuries. The books were probably edited later by still other unknown persons. Isaiah also appears to be written by multiple authors.

Conclusions: The combination of source ambiguity, intentional translation errors, copying errors, symbolic vs. literal interpretation, multiple authorship, multiple versions, interpretation conflicts, internal conflicts, the nature of truth, etc. make it quite impossible to prove that a particular passage in an English translation of the Bible is inerrant. Or if it is regarded as inerrant, it is not necessarily obvious how the passage is to be interpreted.
... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

an important book
This is an incredibly important book for scholars interested in the formation of the polis.Not everyone will agree with all of de Polignac's conclusions, but his theories on the role of sanctuaries in the development of Greek poleis and the mediation of liminal space are thought-provoking and profound.And contrary to the previous reviewer, "archaeological fact" is often a misnomer; the same archaeological evidence can often be interpreted several different ways by different scholars (as the reviewer's own summation of de Polignac's use of archaeological evidence should demonstrate).De Polignac's ideas are proving to be influential in the world of Classical scholarship, so this book is a must-read.

So many examples... so little fact.
Examples, examples, examples.Is there anything else that de Polignac can give us... archaeological fact maybe?The author uses archaeological evidence only to refute other scholars theories on the formation of the poleis and their interrelationship with cults in the homeland and at colonies.And what does he do to justify his claims on his own hypotheses?Myths and non-contextualized writings of ancient authors.Alongside these are nothing but his own interpretations of them.For these atrocities, this book should be rated at one star.However, de Polignac's insights on both cult mediation between colonial and indigenous groups and the representation of the hero worship in light of the forming poleis are quite profound.If the purpose of the author was to shed new light upon the formation of the ancient world that is usually blocked away by the umbrella of stubborn scholars then de Polignac has excelled in the highest.It is my opinion that the later is the case and that although little archaeological evidence is presented to congeal his claims into a reputable theory we must give him credit where it is deserved. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A great book
Not many people find themselves at the inception of a social movement that becomes as influential as "the Moonies." This is a fascinating glimpse at the church as it grows better and better at performing the job Lofland's title describes. The practioners of the Divine Precepts become quite proficient at these arts as you might expect. What is unexpected is how shockingly poor their performance was at the beginning - locking proselytes away in a room for hours with and forcing them to listen to audiocassettes of Sun Myung Moon. The depth with which Lofland treats this subject is quite astonishing.

This is not a dry book at all. It has all the suspense of a thriller even though you probably already know the bizarre ending (Moonies become prominant in the 1970's, parents have their children deprogrammed, etc.) Lofland - a professor at UC Davis - is quite an engaging presence in person and in writing.

Read this if you want to learn how to control groups of people, or to avoid being controlled against your wishes. ... Read more

Product Description
Over the past two decades, in the United States alone, an estimate twenty million people have joined cults.Today, three to five thousand cults are working to recruit new members.At any point in time, two-and-a-half to three million Americans are active cult members.Often a cult is disguised as a legitimate business or organization: a restaurant, self-help group, psychotherapy clinic, or leadership training program could be a front for a cult.Anyone--no matter what age or income level--could be susceptible to the covert and seductive nature of a cult.The country's leading authority on cults, Margaret Thaler Singer, calls on her nearly fifty years of expertise to write the definitive book on cults.Written with author and former cult member Janja Lalich, Singer's first book is a shocking expose that reveals what cults are and how they work.Cults in Our Midst offers vital information on how to help people escape cult entrapments and recover from the experience.Cults in Our Midst is filled with practical strategies and suggestions for understanding the cult phenomenon and helping cult members break free. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (31)

Everybody's vulnerable to being a member of a cult!
Dr. Margaret Thaler Singer has counseled and interviewed thousands of cult members including those who were survivors of the Jonestown massacre on November 18,1978. Like journalists seeking the truth, Dr. Singer has been targeted by cults who feel threatened by her services and contributions to helping former members including Jeannie Mills (formerly Deanna Mertle) who were members of Rev. Jim Jones' Peoples Temple.

This book helps us understand the manipulation process in recruiting members especially the vulnerable, disenfranchised, and social outcasts. Cult leaders like Jim Jones recruited among the poor, elderly, lonely, and family units. Somehow I wished that Dr. Singer focused on some cults in depth. But in reality, she does focus that cults come in all shapes, forms, and appearances. Sometimes, cults don't appear religious in form. They can show up at work and present workshops where they are clever enough to hide the truth for their possible recruits. Once, a member is sucked into a cult. They are limited by communication to the outside world. It's another form of prison without walls. In fact, it's worse than any prison because the cult steals the mind away from it's members. They are totally exhausted from working whether fundraising for the cause or being sent for more recruits. Punishment can be harsh. Couples have been separated by the cult leader's decisions and children are the most vulnerable of all. They have no choice and often suffer the worst fate.

I admire Dr. Singer's contributions to understanding the cult psychology. This book will help many people recognize that they are being taken in by those people who appear too good to be true. Cults are still with us. I like the fact that Dr. Singer makes a point to visit the hillside mass grave of over 400 Jonestown victims of whom many were children that were unidentifiable. I am haunted by those visions of the pavilion and the bodies under the jungle sun.

This book will help those understand and educate us about people's vulnerabilities to be recruited into a cult and the process of leaving the cult and afterwards. The cult is far more complicated, complex, and systematic and the cult leader like Jim Jones and David Koresh are nothing without their members which is probably why it ended so disastrously.

I hoped that Dr. Singer continues to explore the cults especially like scientology, Jehovah's Witnesses, the FLDS (Fundamental Latter Day Saints), and Mormons as well since they actively recruit.

Very pleased
The book arrived exactly as advertised, and well within the suggested time limit for parcel post. Would use again.

Information and Advice from the Top Expert in the Field
Dr. Singer is the reigning expert on cults, having testified in cult-related trials repeatedly.She has studied them for some 50 years.So this book, written for ordinary folk and not scientists, is the distillation of an enormous amount of research and experience.It's quite readable.

She points out that not all cults are religious, although in the US, they often incorporate as religions to be tax-free.The clear example there is Scientology, which started out as a psychological program called "Dianetics."But there are also political, psychological, nutritional, and other types of cults.Dr. Singer offers three aspects of an organization that identify it as a cult:an authoritarian leader, a top-down structure, and the use of thought reform, brainwashing, mind control as an intentional, programmed pattern.

The book goes into considerable detail as to the brainwashing techniques involved, and how they fit together.Her list of six conditions that create the atmosphere in which indoctrination takes place is worth quoting verbatim:

1.Keep the person unaware that there is an agenda to control or change the person.

2.Control time and physical environment (contacts, information).

3.Create a sense of powerlessness, fear, and dependency.

4.Suppress old behavior and attitudes.

5.Instill new behavior and attitudes.

6.Put forth a closed system of logic.

Dr. Singer also goes into detail concerning some of the "supernatural" phenomena displayed by the leaders of cults.Jim Jones used to have a couple of his followers go visit a potential recruit, and one would ask to use the bathroom.While there, she would check out the medicine chest and write down what prescription and non-prescription drugs she saw, what indicators of conditions experienced by the person who lives there.Later, Jones would "read the mind" of someone who is having trouble with their digestion, for example, and create the impression that he knew everything.

Of special concern to Singer (and to myself) are the children of cults.They often get no education at all, or only indoctrination into the practices of the cult.Discipline is harsh; so harsh it has actually killed more than one child.Children are routinely separated from their parents, citing loyalty to the leader as more significant than loyalty to family.Often, they do not have adequate food, clothing, bedding, the basics.They are often the victims of physical and sexual abuse.

We have heard about a few large cults, or ones with dramatic acts, such as People's Temple or Heaven's Gate.But Singer cites many more, some quite small, which have nonetheless done their share of the mind control and dirty tricks.Singer works with ex-cult members to help people who leave cults to put their lives back together.She does not "deprogram," but counsels those who have already left the cult.They often suffer effects of their time in the cult that last for months, including finding it hard to make decisions, having "space out" episodes where their minds go blank, being afraid of being kidnapped by the cult, or even killed.

This book should be required reading for anyone who has a friend or family member in a cult.

Excellent resource-- should be a must-read for parents launching their children into adulthood
This book is very thorough and describes characteristics of cult leaders, recruitment and retention methods, impact of cult membership on individuals and families, departure from cults, and more. Parents are quick to discuss the dangers of promiscuity, drugs, and alcohol before their children go off to college, but predatory religious organizations and cults are equally dangerous.The information in Singer's book gives the reader the tools to differentiate between a healthy organization and a toxic, cult-like group.It is important for young people to read this while their minds are free and their critical-thinking skills are fine-tuned.Due to the nature of cults, it is difficult for cult-members to realize the are in a cult and take appropriate action to leave.

Fascinating and well written
I really enjoyed this book. It provides a clear view into the murky world of cults. It is excellent for anyone who has been or knows someone in a cult or anyone who simply has an interest in this strange phenomenon.
There are plenty of concrete details of what goes on in cults which the author presents without hype. The author also never blames the victims poitning out how completely normal people can get drawn in.
All in all a good read. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

More Research Is Needed!
The information put forth by the author of this work is not based on official statements from the officers or Pastor of the Church of God and Saints of Christ...It is based on information from a dissenting faction that splintered from the Church of God and Saints of Christ decades ago.The author cites the religious group as a cult, when in actuality, it is regarded in most African American religous circles as the first instance of African American Judaism in the U.S., with locations in over 50 U.S. cities, Jamaica, and southern and central Africa. I think more research should have been done to verify the origin, history, and current conditions of this religious organization, before it be written that they are a cult, or "nonconventional." ... Read more

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Outdated but important
David Snow's book although not as good as the Jane Hurst study, is an interesting look at the Nichiren Shoshu-Soka Gakkai of America subcluture of the 1970's, pre phase 2.The best part of the book is it's refuting of the "Brainwashing" conversion model and suggests a social conversion model. Needs a follow up to post 1990 changes and the Nichiren Shoshu/SGI split. ... Read more

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St Swithun was an obscure 9th-century bishop of Winchester who became a popular and important English saint with a cult widespread throughout Europe. This volume presents new and full editions of the texts which illuminate his cult. The unprecedented wealth of this volume sheds new light not only on St Swithun himself, but also on the times during which his cult was at the height of its popularity. ... Read more