Alternative religions attract great public, academic and government interest in our apparently post-Christian
society. Yet how did all the 'alternatives' develop, what are their beliefs and practices and how significant is
their impact in terms of the world's religions and society?
This book presents a comprehensive introduction to the major forms of alternative religions: Cults, Sects, New
Religious Movements, the New Age, Fundamentalism, Pentecostalism, Ethnic Religions and Quasi-religions. Stephen
Hunt presents sociological insights into the rise of alternative religions, their beliefs and practices, their
impact, who joins them and why, and how they are being classified and could be re-classified in the future. Public
and legal controversies surrounding some alternative religions, such as the so-called 'dangerous cults', are also
explored. Offering a broad introduction to alternative religions, this book offers students added insights into
contemporary themes such as secularisation, post-modernity, links between religion, healing and human potential,
and changes in our global culture.
Table of Contents
1. Alternative religion in perspective
2. Cults
3. Sectarianism
4. Christian fundamentalism
5. Pentecostalism and movements of Christian renewal
6. New Religious Movements
7. Some major New Religious Movements
8. The New Age
9. Neo-Paganism and esoteric spiritualities
10. Popular forms of religiosity
11. Human potential and healing movements
12. World religions and the faiths of ethnic minorities
13. Quasi-religions
14. The 'rise' of the alternatives: some implications