J. Gordon Melton – författare

The material in this book, first published in 1990, provides important documentation for the first generation of Rosicrucianism in North America, especially the still vigorous Rosicrucian Fraternity. These chapters reprinted here are so necessary to the understanding of this most occult organization, and are otherwise difficult to locate and read.

The material in this book, first published in 1990, provides important documentation for the first generation of Rosicrucianism in North America, especially the still vigorous Rosicrucian Fraternity. These chapters reprinted here are so necessary to the understanding of this most occult organization, and are otherwise difficult to locate and read.

This explores the question of when and why violence by and against new religious cults erupts and whether and how such dramatic conflicts can be foreseen, managed and averted. The authors, leading international experts on religious movements and violent behavior, focus on the four major episodes of cult violence during the last decade: the tragic conflagration that engulfed the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas; the deadly sarin gas attack by the Aum Shinrikyo in Tokyo; the murder-suicides by the Solar Temple in Switzerland and Canada; and the collective suicide by the members of Heaven's Gate. They explore the dynamics leading to these dramatic episodes in North America, Europe, and Asia, and offer insights into the general relationship between violence and religious cults in contemporary society. The authors conclude that these events usually involve some combination of internal and external dynamics through which a new religious movement and society become polarized.

This explores the question of when and why violence by and against new religious cults erupts and whether and how such dramatic conflicts can be foreseen, managed and averted. The authors, leading international experts on religious movements and violent behavior, focus on the four major episodes of cult violence during the last decade: the tragic conflagration that engulfed the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas; the deadly sarin gas attack by the Aum Shinrikyo in Tokyo; the murder-suicides by the Solar Temple in Switzerland and Canada; and the collective suicide by the members of Heaven's Gate. They explore the dynamics leading to these dramatic episodes in North America, Europe, and Asia, and offer insights into the general relationship between violence and religious cults in contemporary society. The authors conclude that these events usually involve some combination of internal and external dynamics through which a new religious movement and society become polarized.

This book begins with a comprehensive historical section that places the New Age within the context of its predecessor movements. It then focuses on specialized aspects of this subculture, from essays on the convergence of New Age spirituality with women's spirituality, to an essay on how Evangelical Christians have responded to the movement. The book also examines the international impact of the New Age.

Preceded by three introductory essays and a chronology of major events in black religious history from 1618 to 1991, this A-Z encyclopedia includes three types of entries:* Biographical sketches of 773 African American religious leaders* 341 entries on African American denominations and religious organizations (including white churches with significant black memberships and educational institutions)* Topical articles on important aspects of African American religious life (e.g., African American Christians during the Colonial Era, Music in the African American Church)

First Published in 1992. This title is the first volume in the 3-volume series titled Religious Information Systems Series. This updated directory recognised that the number of religious groups would not remain static as population increases, urbanization, and immigration continue to provide a nurturing environment for new religious expressions. This new edition will fill an information gap and provide basic data about each religious group and be regularly updated as changes in the religious community dictate (annually or bi-annually).

Covers the history, founders, beliefs, and literature of over five hundred nonconventional and alternative religious movements.

Introducing the first authoritative guide to cover every aspect of religious broadcasting from its inception in 1921 to the present. Prime Time Religion contains over 430 entries chosen for their historical importance, national or international impact, exemplary nature, and longevity in the field of religious broadcasting. The book covers all religious groups who have turned to radio and television to promote their messages.

First published in 1992, this book focuses on the Muslim community and how it has developed in North America. Divided into eight sections, it traces the history of the Muslim community in North America from the nineteenth century to the end of the twentieth-century and examines different aspects of the community such as Sectarian Movements, Islam in the African American community and points of contact between Christian and Islamic communities. The text includes a number of bibliographies to aid further study and closes with a helpful directory of Muslim organizations and centers in North America. This book will be of particular interest to those studying Islam and Religion in North America.

First published in 1992, this book focuses on the Muslim community and how it has developed in North America. Divided into eight sections, it traces the history of the Muslim community in North America from the nineteenth century to the end of the twentieth-century and examines different aspects of the community such as Sectarian Movements, Islam in the African American community and points of contact between Christian and Islamic communities. The text includes a number of bibliographies to aid further study and closes with a helpful directory of Muslim organizations and centers in North America. This book will be of particular interest to those studying Islam and Religion in North America.

Covers the history, founders, beliefs, and literature of over five hundred nonconventional and alternative religious movements.

In Finding Enlightenment, J. Gordon Melton, a respected scholar of traditional modern religions, chronicles the life of JZ Knight, her extraordinary experiences as the channel for the ancient warrior teacher Ramtha, and the school whose teachings are based on the ancient wisdom of Gnosticism. Located in Yelm, Washington, this esoteric mystery school was founded by Knight in 1988. Melton presents the Gnostic teachings of Ramtha and shows how the inner path of wisdom and knowledge is accessible to students today.

The evolution of religious diversity and complexity in the United States is explained clearly in this richly illustrated historical work.This volume provides an overview of the more than 400 native tribal religions at the time of Columbus, examines the major survivors, and discusses contemporary efforts to breathe new life into old faiths. The book charts the initial colonization and the arrival of religious pioneers and tells how religious groups in the post Revolutionary era struggled with their new dependence on voluntary member support. This easy to read, easy to understand reference work outlines the evolution, key developments, and seminal figures in this most tolerant of religious settings.American Religions: An Illustrated History is generously enhanced with more than 200 illustrations—many of them rare—and written in accessible language without scholarly jargon.Divided into eight concise chronological and thematic chaptersIncludes a comprehensive introduction and chapter bibliographies

Based on more than 250 occurrences and extraordinary experiences The Encyclopedia of Religious Phenomena explores unusual and unexplained physical events, apparitions, and other phenomena rooted in religious beliefs. Alphabetically arranged, Religious Phenomena includes more than 100 illustrations. Each entry includes a description of the particular phenomenon and the religious claims being made for it as well as a discussion of what a scientist might have to say about it.

Death and immortality, sexual prowess and surrender, intimacy and alienation, rebellion and temptation. The allure of the vampire is eternal. The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead, 3rd edition, explores the historical, literary, mythological, biographical, and popular aspects of one of the world's most mesmerizing paranormal subject. This vast reference is an alphabetical tour of the psychosexual, macabre world of the soul-sucking undead.This exhaustive guide has more than 400 essays to quench your thirst for facts, biographies, definitions, and more.