Popular understanding of communal societies tends to focus on the 1960s hippie colonies and ignores the rich and long history of communalism in the United States. This Element corrects that misperception by exploring the synergy between new religious movements and communal living, including the benefits and challenges that grow out of this connection. It introduces definitions of key terms and vocabulary in the fields of new religious movements and communal studies. Discussion of major theories of communal success and the role of religion follows. The Element includes historical examples to demonstrate the ways in which new religious movements used communalism as a safe space to grow and develop their religion. The Element also analyzes why these groups have tended to experience conflicts with mainstream society.

"The book shows how rapid social change gives rise to novel religious interpretations and how new religious movements, in turn, try to influence the process of change. This analysis is illustrated by studies of the advanced societies of North America and Europe, of Japan during the first phase of industrialization, and of countries and regions in the developing world. New religious movements are revealed as a normal aspect of social life and as critical indicators of social change. This is reflected in each movement's social composition, teachings, values, religious practices and organizational structures as well as their engagement in politics, business and their structuring of social relationships."--Publisher's description.

Focusing on five countries (Italy, Brazil, Germany, Britain and the United States), New Religious Movements offers a comprehensive and wide-ranging study of the phenomena and impact of new religions.

What this book is about -- Milestones in a reseach itinerary -- Institutions and institutional knowledge -- Sketching in the cultural background -- The anti-cult movement's response -- The response of the mainstream churches -- Conclusions.

Featuring the new religious movements (NRMs) that have attracted the most scholarly attention over the past few years, this text includes groups such as the Branch Davidians, Heaven's Gate and Falun Gong, explaining their ethos and beliefs, as well as examining more controversial accusations.

New Religious Movements