Diese Reihe taucht ein in die faszinierende und oft missverstandene Welt neuer religiöser Bewegungen. Sie untersucht ihre Ursprünge, Entwicklung und sozialen Auswirkungen mit akademischer Strenge und dennoch zugänglicher Sprache. Die Leser erhalten Einblicke in die vielfältigen spirituellen Wege, die in der modernen Gesellschaft entstehen, und wie diese Gruppen die Identität und Überzeugungen ihrer Anhänger prägen. Sie ist eine unverzichtbare Ressource für alle, die sich für zeitgenössische Religiosität und ihre sich entwickelnde Dynamik interessieren.
Focusing on the transnational movement of The Art of Living, founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, this study examines its global influence and growth since 1981. Stephen Jacobs delves into the characteristics of contemporary spirituality, questioning whether these alternative spiritual practices prioritize individual wellbeing or serve as commodified experiences. By analyzing AOL's reach in over 150 countries, the book offers insights into the complexities of modern spirituality and its implications in a consumer-driven society.
Dwight York's transformation from a New York street gang member to a Black messiah highlights the intersection of racial identity and spirituality in America. The book explores York's journey through various racial and religious identities, emphasizing the dramatic shifts in lifestyle and gender roles within the Nuwaubian Nation. It also examines the societal backlash against unconventional religions, culminating in a violent FBI raid in 2002, while integrating theories from sociology and media studies to provide a deeper understanding of these dynamics.
What would happen if I accepted an invitation to Bible Study from Jehovah's Witnesses? What would attending a Kingdom Hall meeting involve? And if I invited door-knocking Witnesses into my home? This book introduces Jehovah's Witnesses without assuming prior knowledge of the Watch Tower organization. After outlining the Society's origins and history, the book explains their key beliefs and practices by taking the reader through the process of the seeker who makes initial contact with Witnesses, and progresses to take instruction and become a baptized member. The book then explores what is involved in being a Witness – congregational life, lifestyle, rites of passage, their understanding of the Bible and prophetic expectations. It examines the various processes and consequences of leaving the organization, controversies that have arisen in the course of its history, and popular criticisms. Discussion is given to the likelihood of reforms within the organization, such as its stance on blood transfusions, the role of women and new methods of meeting and evangelizing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
