Sample by Topic from Apologia Report

 

NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS
 
"Europe Scrutinizes Sects: Do They Represent Faith, or False Facades?" by Marlise Simins -- begins with a brief focus on Gilbert Bourdin, 73, leader of the "Holy City of Mandar'om" mountain top in Provence, southern France. The French government, as well as the governments of countries all over Europe, are concerned about their new religious groups, again. Reaction to the Solar Temple tragedy continues to be an evident social concern. A report by the French Parliament is mentioned which finds 172 "sects" in the nation and some 800 "small groups, with 260,000 members or sympathizers. They range from mind-control groups originating in North America to preachers of Asian mysticism along with home-grown sects that identify with medieval crusaders or earlier Druid cults." New York Times, Jun 20 '96, pA6.
(from Apologia Report 1:17, June 24, 1996)
 
"European, Russian Governments Targeting New Religious Movements" by Richard P. Cimino -- a brief review of the above New York Times story plus Irving Hexham's commentary from the NuRel e-mail discussion list on the Internet. Hexham reported on collaboration between German and Russian officials to ban "'cults,' including Mormons, evangelicals, and charismatics." Giving evidence of "the chill toward new religious movements" in Russia, Alexander Lebed, "the top aide to Boris Yeltsin, ... threatened to rid Russia of foreign religions and 'cults' -- especially Mormonism, which he called 'mold and scum,'" quoting the June 28th Washington Post. Religion Watch, Jul/Aug '96, p7.
(from Apologia Report 1:18, July 1, 1996)
 
"Religions of the African Diaspora" by Phil Wayne -- reviews the new religious movements of North and South America having African roots. Mentions: Santeria, Voodoo, Candomble, Catimbo, Umbanda, Batuque, Xango, Macumba, and others. Begins with early African history and traces the passage of these religious movements to their current locations. Green Egg, Jul/Aug '96, p4.
(from Apologia Report 1:19, July 8, 1996)
 
America's Alternative Religions, Timothy Miller, ed. (SUNY, 1995) -- announced in SUNY's recent catalog titled "Mind, Body, and Spirit: Resources for Inner Development 1996." Covers "for each such essentials as history, theology, impact on the culture, and current status." (Offered no grocery list of groups included.) The 474-page book ends with an essay by David Bromley and Anson Shupe, "Evolution of Modern-American Anticult Ideology."
(from Apologia Report 1:25, September 16, 1996)
 
Understanding New Religious Movements, by John A. Saliba (Eerdmans, 1996) -- this review says Saliba avoids the poor analysis usually found in popular media and "especially among evangelicals." Makes me wonder if Saliba may have targets in mind as he "shows the wide range of positions among Christian apologists." Briefly reviewed (pro, not con) in Publishers Weekly Religion BookLine, Aug 15 '96, p4.
(from Apologia Report 1:25, September 16, 1996)
 
"European Governments Search for Ways to Contain the Growing Influence of Religious Sects Without Endangering Freedom of Belief" by Rod Usher -- observes that "the rise of cults and new religious movements has accompanied the decline in congregations of traditional religions" in Europe. Has a strong initial focus on the conflict in Germany and includes a searing quote from American Family Foundation's Michael Langone: "The fascists of the 21st century aren't going to come with swastikas and billy clubs. They're going to come with clerical collars and lawyers, and they'll sue their critics into bankruptcy." Mentions Scientology, the Unification Church, the International Churches of Christ, and even Mormonism. Concludes with a look at related conflicts in the former Soviet Union. Time, Jan 27 '97, n.p.
(from Apologia Report 2:3, February 24, 1997)
 
"Who Joins New Religious Movements and Why: Twenty Years of Research and What Have We Learned?" by Lorne L. Dawson -- observes that "controversy about the nature and dangers of cults or new religious movements remains a topic of considerable public concern and significant misunderstanding. Scholarship in the study of new religious movements, however, has reached a certain obvious maturity." Provides "a sociological profile of what reliably can be said about how people become interested in new religions, who tends to become interested in new religions, and some insights into why people join such religions." Studies in Religion, v25 n2 (1996), p141.
(from Apologia Report 2:5, March 10, 1997)
 
In their recent book, New Religions as Global Cultures (Westview Press), Irving Hexham and Karla Poewe disapprove of what they call the "Great Anti-Cult Crusade" and argue that many cults are just misunderstood. The book blames several well-known evangelical apologists in part for this. To find out more visit our Web site <http://apologia.org>.
(from Apologia Report 2:20, July 1, 1997)
 
Cults in Context: Readings in the Study of New Religious Movements, Lorne L. Dawson, ed. (Canadian Scholars Press, 1996) -- "Dawson has collected 21 previously published pieces to serve as an introduction to the understanding of NRMs." Reviewed (pro, not con) in Sociology of Religion, Sum '97, p198.
(from Apologia Report 2:23, July 28, 1997)
 
Understanding New Religious Movements, by John A. Saliba (Eerdmans, 1995) -- "Saliba strives to maintain an attitude of neutrality toward new religious movements which is likely to aggravate some readers...." Reviewed (pro, not con) in Sociology of Religion, Sum '97, p200.
(from Apologia Report 2:23, July 28, 1997)
 
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Sources:
 
Green Egg (occultic), (707) 463-1067, <gemagazine@aol.com>, <http://www.caw.org/green-egg>
 
New York Times, <http://www.nytimes.com/>
 
Publishers Weekly Religion BookLine, (800) 278-2991, <72624.3562@compuserve.com>
 
Religion Watch, (516) 785-6765, <relwatch1@aol.com>
 
Sociology of Religion, (309) 937-5696
 
Studies in Religion, <youngpd@post.queensu.ca>
 
Time, <http://time.com>


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