Philosophical Explorations of New and Alternative Religious Movements

Philosophy of religion is focused chiefly on theism. Yet there are a growing number of new and alternative religious movements that would also benefit from philosophical scrutiny. This book is the first collection of philosophical essays, by a team of international authors, focusing on new and alternative religious movements. The book begins with an examination of the definition of new religious movements, before offering an introduction to, and an analysis of, core beliefs held by particular movements, including: Scientology, Raelianism, Siddha Yoga, the Arica School, the Church of the Latter Day Saints (Mormonism), Pantheism, Digital Theology, New Atheism, and the Word of Faith movement. Contributors offer an analysis of one or more of the core tenets of the religious movement, providing readers with both an insight into the group, and the methodology of philosophy of religion.

Morgan Luck is a senior lecturer in philosophy at Charles Sturt University and a senior research fellow of the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics (CAPPE). He completed his PhD in Philosophy at the University of Nottingham and a PGCE in Religious Education at the University of Cambridge. His areas of research include philosophy of religion and applied ethics.