NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

New Religious Movements (NRMs) in the past have been called "cults," a term that tends to judge the communities by the standards of longstanding and well-established religions or broader cultural norms. Our study will examine the various contexts and circumstances-sociologically, psychologically, even politically-that account for the rise of new religious movements. The course will explore a series of questions: What broader social, cultural, and traditionally religious dynamics serve as catalysts for the emergence of NRMs? What is the psychological appeal of NRMs? Are there recognizable patterns to the emergence and organizational structures of NRMs? Under what conditions do they forfeit the rights of freedom of religion?