Mystics and Messiahs: Cults and New Religions in American History - Softcover

Jenkins, Philip

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0195145968 ISBN 13: 9780195145960

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2001

Synopsis

In Mystics and Messiahs--the first full account of cults and anti-cult scares in American history--Philip Jenkins shows that, contrary to popular belief, cults were by no means an invention of the 1960s. In fact, most of the frightening images and stereotypes surrounding fringe religious movements are traceable to the mid-nineteenth century when Mormons, Freemasons, and even Catholics were denounced for supposed ritualistic violence, fraud, and sexual depravity. But America has also been the home of an often hysterical anti-cult backlash. Jenkins offers an insightful new analysis of why cults arouse such fear and hatred both in the secular world and in mainstream churches, many of which were themselves originally regarded as cults. He argues that an accurate historical perspective is urgently needed if we are to avoid the kind of catastrophic confrontation that occurred in Waco or the ruinous prosecution of imagined Satanic cults that swept the country in the 1980s.

Without ignoring genuine instances of aberrant behavior, Mystics and Messiahs goes beyond the vast edifice of myth, distortion, and hype to reveal the true characteristics of religious fringe movements and why they inspire such fierce antagonism.

About this title

About the Author

Philip Jenkins, one of the world's leading religion scholars joined Baylor University's Institute for Studies of Religion as Distinguished Professor of History and Co-Director for the Program on Historical Studies of Religion.

From Kirkus Reviews

A fascinating look at the importance of the religious fringe in American life. Jenkins (History & Religious Studies/Penn State Univ.; Pedophiles and Priests, not reviewed) argues convincingly that cults and new religions are significant social and cultural contributors to the healthy development of society. Present-day groups should be seen in historical perspective because they have their core beliefs rooted in 19th- or early-20th-century movements. Other generally accepted practices (such as female clergy and charismatic worship) or those still considered unorthodox (such as polygamy), have their origins in earlier Christian sects or non-Christian fringe religions. These new beliefs develop because the needs of people are not being satisfied by the established churches. The religious mainstream reject the new groups because of their own fears of the new, of the other, and of competition. It is no trite observation for Jenkins to point to the astounding growth in size and respectability of such sects as the Church of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons), Baptists, and Pentecostalsall of whom were considered invidious in their early years but are now mainstream religions. Without denying that many new religious groups have engaged in morally suspect or legally questionable activities, Jenkins maintains that these have been a small minority. Governmental organizations and established clergy have usually combined with a fervent muckraking press to misrepresent new sects as dangerous. They also frequently mislabel them as ``cults,'' a once respectable term that is now pejorative. The rights of individuals to believe and take part in what are characterized as cults is now legally guaranteed because once marginalized groups (such as the Jehovah's Witnesses) won in court the constitutional right to their way of worship. But as recent events (such as the Waco killings) demonstrate, ignorance and the quick stereotyping of cults according to the worst examples (e.g., Jonestown) by religious and secular authorities may have disastrous results. A fresh and thoughtful analysis that sheds much-needed light on an often overheated phenomenon. -- Copyright ©2000, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0195145968
• ISBN 13: 9780195145960
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304