New Religions [2 Volumes]

Book excerpt: A valuable resource for students and general audiences, this book provides a unique global perspective on the history, beliefs, and practices of emergent faith communities; new religious traditions; and religious movements worldwide, from the 19th century to the present. New Religions: Emerging Faiths and Religious Cultures in the Modern World provides insightful global perspectives on the emergent faith communities and new traditions and movements of the last two centuries. Readers will gain access to the information necessary to explore the significance, complexities, and challenges that modern religious traditions have faced throughout their history and that continue to impact society today. The work identifies the themes and issues that have often brought new religions into conflict with the larger societies of which they are a part. Coverage includes new religious groups that emerged in America, such as the Seventh-day Adventists, the Latter-day Saints, and the Jehovah's Witnesses; alternative communities around the globe that emerged from the major Western and Eastern traditions, such as Aum Shinrikyo and Al-Qaeda; and marginalized groups that came to a sudden end, such as the Peoples Temple, Heaven's Gate, and the Branch Davidians. The entries highlight thematic and broader issues that run across the individual religious traditions, and will also help students analyze and assess the common difficulties faced by emergent religious communities. Presents alphabetically arranged entries on new religions that provide readers with easy-to-access, historical information about how these religions emerged from their cultural contexts and evolved over time Provides numerous primary source documents--each introduced by a headnote--that convey firsthand accounts of the founding of new religions and supply students material for critical analysis Includes photographs that help students better visualize important places, people, and things related to new religions Helps meet world history content standards and enables a fuller understanding of religious beliefs and practices in the contemporary world as well as how religions have responded to challenges and uncertainties