Examining contemporary understandings of the term 'cult', this book brings together scholars from multiple disciplines, including sociology, anthropology and religious studies. Focusing on how 'cult rhetoric' affects our perceptions of new religious movements, the contributors explore how these minority groups have developed and deconstruct the language we use to describe them.Ranging from the 'Cult of Trump' and 'Cult of COVID', to the campaigns of mass media, this book recognises that contemporary 'cult rhetoric' has become hybridised and suggests a more nuanced study of contemporary religion. Topics include online religions, political 'cults', 'apostate' testimony and the current 'othered' position of the study of minority religions.

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Bibliographic Details

Title: 'Cult' Rhetoric in the 21st Century
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, GB
Publication Date: 2026
Language: English
ISBN 10: 1350333255
ISBN 13: 9781350333253
Binding: Paperback
Condition: New
Weight: 400 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Examining contemporary understandings of the term ‘cult’, this book brings together scholars from multiple disciplines, including sociology, anthropology and religious studies. Focusing on how ‘cult rhetoric’ affects our perceptions of new religious movements, the contributors explore how these minority groups have developed and deconstruct the language we use to describe them. Ranging from the ‘Cult of Trump’ and ‘Cult of COVID’, to the campaigns of mass media, this book recognises that contemporary ‘cult rhetoric’ has become hybridised and suggests a more nuanced study of contemporary religion. Topics include online religions, political ‘cults’, ‘apostate’ testimony and the current ‘othered’ position of the study of minority religions.

About the Authors

Aled Thomas is a Teaching Fellow in the Study of Religion at the University of Leeds, UK. He is the author of Free Zone Scientology: Contesting the Boundaries of a New Religion (Bloomsbury, 2021).

Suzanne Newcombe is Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies, at The Open University, UK andHonorary Director of Inform.

Edward Graham-Hyde is a Visiting Fellow with the Centre for Religion in Public Life at the University of Leeds, UK, as well as Assistant Director (Research) with The Salvation Army, UK & Ireland.

Sarah Harvey is Senior Research Officer at Inform.

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