Sects, Cults, and Spiritual Communities - (Religion in the Age of Transformation (Paperback)) by Marc Petrowsky & William Zellner (Paperback)

About the Book

American society is culturally diverse with a variety of religious denominations, sects, cults, and self-help groups vying for members. This volume analyzes nine of these groups, chosen both for their intrinsic interest and because they illustrate a variety of sociological concepts. The groups included in this study are: Heaven's Gate, Jesus People USA, the Love Family, The Farm, Amish Women, Scientology, El Niño Fidencio, Santería, and Freedom Park. The contributors are social scientists with first-hand knowledge of the groups they examine.

Book Synopsis

American society is culturally diverse with a variety of religious denominations, sects, cults, and self-help groups vying for members. This volume analyzes nine of these groups, chosen both for their intrinsic interest and because they illustrate a variety of sociological concepts. The groups included in this study are: Heaven's Gate, Jesus People USA, the Love Family, The Farm, Amish Women, Scientology, El Niño Fidencio, Santería, and Freedom Park. The contributors are social scientists with first-hand knowledge of the groups they examine.

Review Quotes

"Dr. Bill Zellner has cultivated a genuine ability to focus the lens of the "sociological imagination" on the study of sects, cults, and spiritual communities. Should be must reading for classes in General Sociology, Social Problems, Social Movements, and Culture."-Richard P. Rettig University of Central Oklahoma

"Most such books are about sociology with illustrations from life. This book is wonderfully different. It is about life with illustrations from sociology."-William M. Wentworth Department of Sociology, Clemson University

"The study of sects, cults, and spiritual communities has grown in recent years - but that literature still remains relatively small. Those looking for a volume that explores a variety of such groups may find those described and discussed in this volume to be particularly interesting."-Felix M. Berardo Department of Sociology, University of Florida

"This engaging book provides an analysis of nine religious groups. [T]he strength of this volume lies in its careful descriptions from an insider's perspective. All contributions are eminently readable, some even entertaining. Much of the information provided derives from participant observation and in-depth interviews with group members, and for much of the book it is evident that the authors managed to establish a close and trusting relationship with group members....[T]his book is a welcome addition to the sociological literature of groups outside the religious mainstream. It is recommended for use in undergraduate courses in the sociology of religion and culture."-Qualitative Sociology

?An illuminating, mostly firsthand view of culturally important groups in American society of interest to students of American culture and scholars in many disciplines. Recommended for general and academic libraries.?-Choice

?This engaging book provides an analysis of nine religious groups. [T]he strength of this volume lies in its careful descriptions from an insider's perspective. All contributions are eminently readable, some even entertaining. Much of the information provided derives from participant observation and in-depth interviews with group members, and for much of the book it is evident that the authors managed to establish a close and trusting relationship with group members....[T]his book is a welcome addition to the sociological literature of groups outside the religious mainstream. It is recommended for use in undergraduate courses in the sociology of religion and culture.?-Qualitative Sociology

"An illuminating, mostly firsthand view of culturally important groups in American society of interest to students of American culture and scholars in many disciplines. Recommended for general and academic libraries."-Choice

About the Author

WILLIAM W. ZELLNER is Professor of Sociology at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. He is the author of numerous articles, essays, and books, including Extraordinary Groups (sixth edition, 1997) and Countercultures: A Sociological Analysis (1995).

MARC PETROWSKY is Associate Professor of Sociology at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. He is the coauthor of the forthcoming sixth edition of Introduction to Sociology, with Richard F. Larson and Marvin F. White.