Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements

The study of new religious movements has until recently been focused within sociology; it is now becoming a major area of study within religious studies. As student and scholar numbers rise the need for a one-stop reference work of global coverage has become ever-more important, and the Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements fills this gap. It is an essential companion to both research and scholarship upon which undergraduates, postgraduates, lecturers and researchers can all be expected to draw. From Waco to Hollywood and the Church of Scientology, to the political and human rights issues surrounding the practice of Falun Gong in China, new religious movements have become more prominent in today’s society. This comprehensive A-Z reference examines the people, movements, concepts and ideologies of new religious movements including entries on neo-Paganism, the Unification Church, exit counselling, Hamas, Santeria, Reformed Church in Japan, Theosophical Society, yoga, and many more. Consultant editors: Eileen Barker,London School of Economics, UK; Catherine Cornille, University of Leuven, Belgium; Elom Dovlo, University of Ghana, Ghana; Helen Hardacre, Harvard University, USA; Pa