000			01746nam a2200193Ia 4500
999			_c30053 _d30053
005			20220218000359.0
008			200202s9999 xx 000 0 und d
020			_a803981589
082			_a306.6 ROB
100			_aRobbins, Thomas
245		0	_aCults converts and charisma : the sociology of new religious movements
260			_aNew Delhi
260			_bSage
260			_c1988
300			_a252p.
520			_aRecent decades have seen an apparent increase in the number and vitality of new religious movements throughout the world. They have also been marked by evident social conflict over the activities of 'cults'. These developments have been met by growing interest among social scientists in the significance of new religious movements and a proliferation of research into their activities and their social impact. In this wide-ranging survey Thomas Robbins assesses the state of the art in sociological and related work on new religious movements. Concentrating on research on movements in the USA and Western Europe, he analyses theories relating the growth of new religions to sociocultural changes, the dynamics of conversion to and defection from movements, patterns of organization and institutionalization, and social controversies over cults. He also examines the impact of the study of new and deviant movements on the sociology of religion in general, and the implications of recent spiritual ferment for previous models of secularization and sect-church theory. The book concludes with a comprehensive bibliography. This text will be essential reading for all students and researchers in the sociology of religion and in religious studies.
650			_aSociology Religious aspects
942			_cB _2ddc