New Gods in America: An Informal Investigation into the New Religions of American Youth Today.

For hundres of thousands of today's youth, in search of self and spiritual meaning, traditional Christianity and Judaism are not enough. Instead, they are turning to Scientology, Zen, Transcendental Meditation, and myriad other "new" relisions rapidly springing up all over the country.

New Gods in America is a fascinating exploration, by a noted journalist, of these faiths - new to the United States - and their new American followers. Interviewing hundreds of these unconventional believers, Peter Rowley has found out what young people are getting formt eh new religions - what needs they satisfy - whether they promise happiness.

With a hip, free-flowing style, the book looks at the latest forms of worship and examines their forms and relevance to contemporary meditation, ritual dancing, group counseling, devotional singing, inspirational lectures, vegetarian and macrobiotic diets, communal living, chanting, even physiotherapy.

All of the exotic, mystical, and arcane beliefs and practices are explained clearly and without Nichiren Shoshu, a Buddhist sect with 200,000 member; I Ching, the Chinese book of changes; the Followers of Jesus, a monastic-type cult with strict views on sex; Spiritual Science, claiming contact with the dead; Black Muslims, Hare Krishna, and many others.

Peter Rowley's extensive research has led to much first-hand experience, giving him a sense of emotional participation in the religious ceremonies. He attended a Hare Krishna wedding, a meeting in the "soul room" of a religious commune, a Scientoloty communication course, and a fireside meeting of pioneers of the Baha'i faith. His deft interviewing skill brings to the surface the golas of each new religion - how its founders and followers feel about love, sex, God, birth control, sef-realization, war politics drugs, reincarnation, dreams, ESP, and the purpose and meaning of life.

As expressed by the Yoga philosophy of Swami "After long searches here and there, in temples and in churches, in earths and in heavens, at last you come back, completing the circle from where you started, to your own soul, and find that...the mystery of all mysteries shrouded in the clouds, nearest of the near, is your own Self, the reality of your life, body and soul."