"This book focuses on how 'cult rhetoric' affects our perceptions of new religious movements (NRMs). 'Cult' Rhetoric in the 21st Century explores contemporary understandings of the term 'cult' by bringing together a range of scholars from multiple disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, psychology, and religious studies. The book provides a renewed discussion of 'new religious movements', whilst also considering recent approaches toward a nuanced study of contemporary religion. Topics explored include online religions, political 'cults', 'apostate' testimony and the current 'othered' position of the study of minority religions"--
An examination of past, present and future directions of the study of new religious movements (‘cults’), with a particular focus on the language in which they are discussed.
Examining contemporary understandings of the term 'cult', this book brings together scholars from multiple disciplines, including sociology, anthropology and religious studies. Focusing on how 'cult rhetoric' affects our perceptions of new religious movements, the contributors explore how these minority groups have developed and deconstruct the language we use to describe them.
Ranging from the 'Cult of Trump' and 'Cult of COVID', to the campaigns of mass media, this book recognises that contemporary 'cult rhetoric' has become hybridised and suggests a more nuanced study of contemporary religion. Topics include online religions, political 'cults', 'apostate' testimony and the current 'othered' position of the study of minority religions.
Arvustused
This is an important book because it charts a middle way between scholars of New Religious Movements (NRMs), Cultic Studies scholars and ex-members of NRMs ... It establishes a course for a more inclusive and empathetic study of NRMs. * Carole M. Cusack, The University of Sydney, Australia * Part critical history, part call to action, Cult Rhetoric is a must-read for scholars wishing to move the study of minority religions forward in the twenty-first century. Providing a range of perspectives, its contributors analyse the many ways that scholars as well as government officials, law enforcement agents, psychologists, the media, and others shape popular understanding of cults. * Rebecca Moore, San Diego State University, USA * [ 'Cult' Rhetoric in the 21st Century] would be of interest to students and scholars of new religious movements and other groups focused on authoritarian leaders. * CHOICE * This anthology is helpful for understanding how this language is used with new religious movements to provide an antidote to biased approaches. It will be helpful for studying religion and culture, especially new and minority religions, that are frequently misunderstood. * Nova Religio *
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An examination of past, present and future directions of the study of new religious movements (cults), with a particular focus on the language in which they are discussed.
Foreword: Introduction to the Religion at the Boundaries Series
Suzanne Newcombe (Inform and the Open University, UK) and Sarah Harvey
(Inform)
Part I: Approaches to Cult Rhetoric
Chapter 1: Cult Rhetoric in the 21st Century: The Disconnect Between
Popular Discourse and the Ivory Tower, Aled Thomas (University of Leeds, UK)
and Edward Graham-Hyde (University of Central Lancashire, UK)
Chapter 2: Balancing Pragmatism and Precision: Informs Approach to Cult
Rhetoric, Suzanne Newcombe (Inform and the Open University, UK) and Sarah
Harvey (Inform)
Chapter 3: A History of Anti-Cult Rhetoric, George D. Chryssides (York St
John University, UK)
Chapter 4: The Paradigm Shift from Sacred to Profane, William Sims Bainbridge
(Independent Scholar)
Chapter 5: The Dangerous Cult Exercise: Popular Culture and the Ongoing
Construction of the New Religious Threat, Douglas E. Cowan (University of
Waterloo, USA)
Chapter 6: The Recognition of Cults, Roderick P. Dubrow-Marshall (University
of Salford, UK)
Part II: Contemporary Cultic Issues
Chapter 7: The Light of the World: La Luz del Mundo, Liminality, and NRM
Studies, Donald A. Westbrook (San Jose State University, USA)
Chapter 8: Cults of Conspiracy and the (On-Going) Satanic Panic, Bethan
Juliet Oake (University of Leeds, UK)
Chapter 9: There is no QAnon: Cult Accusations in Contemporary American
Political and Online Discourse, Susannah Crockford (University of Exeter,
UK)
Chapter 10: Playing at Religion: Understanding Contemporary Spiritual
Experiences in Popular Culture, Vivian Asimos (Independent Scholar)
Chapter 11: Attempting to Educate Journalists about the Role of Cult
Essentialism in the Branch Davidian-Federal Agents Conflict, Catherine
Wessinger (Loyola University New Orleans, USA)
Afterword: Critical Reflections and Conclusions, W. Michael Ashcraft (Truman
State University, USA)
Bibliography
Index
Aled Thomas is a Teaching Fellow in the Study of Religion at the University of Leeds, UK. He is the author of Free Zone Scientology: Contesting the Boundaries of a New Religion (Bloomsbury, 2021).
Edward Graham-Hyde is an Associate Lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire, UK and Treasurer of the Information Network Focus on Religious Movements (Inform).
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