Product Description
This is an examination of the cult problem which also offers practical advice. It is a comprehensive psychological, social and evangelical treatment of the growing trend of cults. Dr Martin destroys the myth that those who join cults are spiritually weak or psychologically troubled. He theorizes that the rise of cults has been facilitated by our schools, families and even our churches. He offers advice to institutions on developing cult education programmes to prevent people from being drawn into cults. There are also chapters, directed particularly to parents, on how to get children out of cults and assist in their recovery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

PROTECTION AGAINST BRAINWASHING
Dr Martin shares his expertise about cults in this practical book written especially for concerned Christian parents. The book has 3 divisions: The Cult Problem, in which the author defines a cult, discusses fringe churches and examines the reason why people join cults. This section also looks at the myths of cult involvement and provides information on spotting a cult. Part 2, Teaching And Parenting Cult-Free Kids, provides tips for parents and advice on how to develop critical thinking skills in children; this chapter includes a list of books recommendedfor sharpening your critical thinking skills. It also looks at cults and friendships, cults and the church and cults and society. Part 3 is titled Recovery From Cult Involvement. It contains good advice on what to do when your child join a cult, pitfalls to recovery and the various stages of recovery. The book has a large Notes Section and the following Appendices: Resources and Organizations that offer help, a helpful curriculum and recommended reading which is a bibliography on cults in general and on some specific groups. The book concludes with a thorough index. Writing from personal experience, Martin offers some solid guidelines and provides constructive tips on how to innoculate people against the destructive influences of cults. ... Read more

Product Description
This updated and revised edition lists cults alphabetically for easy reference and contains cross-references to related cults and cult beliefs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (38)

Add this book to yours...
If you have Kids, Add this book to your collection ASAP !!! God will give wisdom and understanding.

Larson's New Book of Cults
This book was received in excellent condition. Christians, worldwide, need to have an accurate resource to ID and research the many cults which lead many away, or in the wrong direction firstly, from the Lord Jesus Christ. This updated volume replaces my original edition, which I have used for many years. Thank you.

Highly Misleading
This is allegedly a treatise on "cults" and a delineation of their "errors."

Don't be fooled:When Larson says "cult," he means "every religion that isn't his particular brand of evangelical Protestantism." (In fact, some of his "cults" are not even religions!)

When he says "errors," he means "beliefs with which he disagrees, or practices of which he disapproves."

And as if that weren't bad enough, he makes comments about some of these groups which are at least pointlessly insulting if not downright libelous (comparing Unitarian Universalism to schizophrenia, trotting out the tired old defamation of Pagans as devil-worshipers, et cetera).

In short:If you're in absolute agreement with Bob Larson, you'll probably feel vindicated.If not...read M.T. Singer's "Cults In Our Midst" instead.

Good reference, but not much more.
I begin my review from the premise that the absolute best answer for any question is thorough research.

That said, I am unaware of how much research Larson has engaged in while preparing this book.Across the board, he obviously has more understanding of a greater number of cults and religious beliefs than I, simply by virtue of the fact that he names and discusses religious groups which I have never heard of.

I am a devout Christian, and teach in my church.I picked this book up (or, more accurately, permanently borrowed from a friend--Hi Johann!) as a tool for reference while I was doing a short study on our church's doctrine compared to religious cults.The book proved to be useful for a quick reference, and for creating a short framework upon which to launch further study.However, the book is little more.

Since the book boasts of "Over 100 Cults Examined," and is only 499 pages long (including preface, TOC, and index), it is obvious that the average length for any given cult is less than 5 pages.If one is interested in knowing more about a particular cult, or a group of particular ones, this will not be the most thorough source you can find.

Lastly, while I am a Christian, I must admit that Larson ascribes "cult" status to many groups that are not so readily observed as such.For example, he includes Nostradamus, Yoga, Martial Arts, and even UFO's.While I do not ascribe to the teachings of any of the above, classification of them as "cults" may be problematic for various reasons.I'll leave that comment at that.

In order to find over 100 cults, Larson includes some groups whose classification of "cult" may be dubious, even if the teachings are ones we might consider cultic in nature.Example:I am entirely unconvinced that there is a general cult of believers in UFO's, even though I do not believe in UFO's and in fact consider the belief in UFO's to be (at least potentially) somewhat atheistic.

Here's the skinny:if you want a book that will give you some quick reference to a bunch of scattered and various books, then this is a good one to have on your shelf.For a couple of bucks you can't really lose, right?On the other hand, if you're looking for any depth in your research into any one or more cults, you should probably look elsewhere.

As I began with, the best tool for understanding is real research--something a bit more than a 2-7 page rundown.

This book is absolute trash!Negative 5 stars
This author is absolute ignorance personified.If you are a "christain" don't waste your time reading this book.If you think this is a "christain" perspective you are SO WRONG!This guy puts yoga and the KKK in the same category.What an absolute moron!Why would anyone in their right mind think this is a christain book?Let me tell you folks, anyone who spends his life's work on a book about hatred of everyone who is from another culture is justREALLY STUPID!!!This book has absolutely nothing to do with Jesus or REAL CHRISTIANITY.Jesus was a great man, and I believe, the son of God.But I don't try to belittle anyone who is a thinking person with an actual brain.God created EVERYTHING, except IGNORANCE.If you want a Christain perspective?Read the Bible!Don't throw your money away on this garbage.Even if it is only $1.28.That is too much! ... Read more

Product Description
On a peaceful August morning in 1985, grim-face FBI agents led a dawn raid on an eighty-acre farm outside Rulo, Nebraska, said to be occupied by a gorup of religious survivalists led by the charismatic Mike Ryan. What they found on the farm shocked even experience investigators. For months Ryan's Nebraska neighbors spoke in whispers of gunfire in the night, the disappearance of women and children, neo-Nazis and white supremacists. But little did the locals know what was happening to those Mike Ryan decided to punish for their "sins." In Evil Harvest, Rod Colvin re-reates a chilling story of torture, hate, and perversion, and how good, ordinary people could be pulled into a destructive, religious cult-a cult that committed unthinkable acts in the name of God. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Too much detail.
I wonder why anyone would buy a book like this, or why anyone would want to write the story. It is shocking and stomach wrenching in it's detail and I think more true about Michael Ryan than the writer even knows. I was afraid of Mike almost 40 years ago when I dated his sister. He was cruel and had an explosive temper then too. I am sorry for everyone, including his wife and son, who he lead off into his dark world. It is too bad it came to this and I am amazed to find he is still on death row in Nebraska. I hope he never gets out, it would be a frightening thing to know he was not behind bars.

Not so true
The book claims to be a "True Story" when in fact it should read, Based on a true story.Being a direct relative of a good portion of the people involved I have to say it was dissappointing to read.

I felt Colvin seemed to miss key parts of the story.Local law enforcement and family services as well as teachers ignored repeated reports from my family about child abuse, drug use, and other numerous activities on the farm.This went on for over a year.The book is very detailed with some of the sickest of things you'll ever read.I fell if he could included such great details like those, the least he could do is included how several people within the surrounding communiteis tried to stop it before it ever got so sick.

Colvin mentions how there were whispers of gunfire on the property.These were not whispers they were actual reports made to the Richardson County Sherriff Department and Family Servises that were not acted upon.There were several names Colvin was not allowed to mention or had to change to protect the innocent, I feel that a name with only a single letter different is not creative enough for a seasoned writter.

Trial coverage would have been good to add.

A Scary Book
I clearly remember when the Rulo murders were uncovered, as I live less then 100 miles from the scene of the crime. I read this book several times and I have to say Colvin seems to have done a pretty good job of gettingout and beating the bush to get his sources and research. He talked to aslew of people involved in the case.

The big problem with Colvin is thathe seems to downplay the Christian Identity theme to some extent. He talksin great depth about James Wickstrom and the Posse Comitatus, but we don'tget as much information on the underlying theme to these activities, whichis Christian Identity, a theology that advocates that Jews are the spawn ofSatan and that Blacks and other Non-White races are subhuman. The reasonRyan was able to exert his influence was due to Identity.

I can let thereader know that Michael Ryan is still on Death Row here in Nebraska. Infact, he recently lost yet another appeal, but he has several avenues leftto him. Dennis Ryan was released from prison when he had his sentencereduced to 2nd degree murder. Several years ago, our state Supreme Courtmade a ruling that resulted in the release of dozens of convicts that hadbeen convicted of 2nd degree murder. Go figure. Andreas and Haverkamp werealso released from prison recently. Michael Ryan, the last I heard, isattempting to rewrite the Bible along the lines of Christian Identity.

Ascary book in that it shows how evil some people can be.

chilling true crime
Rod Colvin gets into the mind of Michael andshows us how powerful ones influence can be and how destructive.he has proven to be a fine true crime writer. I will look forward to seeing more of his books in print. This is amust read for true crime reading fans.

evil harvest was a real page turnergreat true crime
Evil harvest was so well written. The contents of the book and the impeccable skills of this author really brings this story to life. Excellent true crime that doesn't focus to much on the trial but on whaatthe readers want to hear ie: about the characters. I love the way he givesyou an understanding into the minds of all the characters. Reaaly makes youunderstand what lead to the ultimate down fall of average good folks. Iwill look forward to reading more by this fine author. ... Read more

Product Description
How is it possible that cults continue to exist despite their history of disintegrating under the strain of their own mad ideas? In this entertaining study of the very thin line that separates cult leaders from full-blown madness, Stevens and Price argue that the answer lies in our gene pool. The sexual charisma of cult leaders--from Hitler, Koresh and Jones on one side of the spectrum and Jesus on the other side--play a vital role when groups waver and split. The authors create a controversial argument that will make anyone look at groups and religions in a whole new light. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Where Prophets and Madmen Meet
I have read many books on genius and madness and this is one of the best ones I have come across. The authors take an evolutionary approach to the mysterious condition of Schizophrenia and come to some fascinating conclusions. Basically they argue that the great prophets and spiritual gurus of the past and present are in fact borderline (sometimes even full blown) Schizophrenics who could for other reasons have a charisma that would convince "followers" of their bizarre and revelatory insights. The authors speak of a concept called a mazeway resynthesis that both the prophet and the Schizophrenic have the capacity for and experience, where they create a revolutionary vision of a world to come.The prophet who typically for whatever reason has high self esteem or status convinces followers of his/her vision whereas the Schizophrenic often with low self esteem or status doesn't and with no "followers" too edit their thoughts they further break off from reality into their own imaginary world filled with imaginary followers, etc.Of course that's a simplistic explanation of the theory the authors propose and I couldn't do it justice in this short review.I found the book too be a fascinating exploratory journey into the mysterious origins of both the prophet and the Schizophrenic in evolutionary terms and left much to think about.The authors appear to be very knowledgable about the subject at hand.I did not nitpick the book for 'factual errors' such as those suggested by the previous reviewer.Instead I saw their views as generally well argued differences of opinion that are currently being debated by scholars in various fields with regards to these controversial issues at hand.The book also gives interesting suggestions for treatment of Schizophrenics based on their theory.

Interesting ideas, but shallow in some places
I really wish there was a half-star rating on Amazon.com, because this is really more like two-and-a-half stars.Stevens's idea of prophets and messianic figures springing from the same root cause as schizophrenia and serving an evolutionary function in causing group fission is interesting (and may receive incidental support from Jane Goodall's work with the chimps at Gombe, who fissioned and essentially went to war with one another, resulting in the destruction of the smaller group by the larger).However, he is way too wedded to his biological paradigm and doesn't seem to understand the flaws in such an approach--one of the main problems with evolutionary psychology is that it works from a post-hoc ergo propter-hoc format, e.g. "We see this is serving this function so therefore it must have evolved to serve this function."

Stevens also displays only a superficial understanding of the ethnographic examples he picks out to illustrate his ideas, in particular those of Handsome Lake and other Native American examples, and to top it all off, his analysis of gender leaves a great deal to be desired.He states on page 122, "Males are orientated toward political issues of group leadership and group allegiances whereas females are primarily committed to motherhood and childrearing," and goes on to assert that this distinction is found in all cultures except our own of the last twenty years.The assertion that females are concerned primarily with house and home and not with political matters is patently false, and arises from a profound historical male bias in ethnographical fieldwork, as anthropologists anywhere will tell you; the world over, females practice power strategies as assiduously as males do, but tend to employ more subtle strategies as spreading rumors about opponents, attempting to manipulate others into doing their bidding, and so on.Here is where a greater understanding of his data might have come in handy, as well as an understanding of the conditions under which some of these ethnographic examples were collected.

Prophets,Messiahs and Cult Leaders Mad or Misguided?
This is a MUST-READ book covering all the obvious cults and leaders and less obvious ones like Jesus. Interesting details about John Nash (A Beautiful Mind---Russell Crowe) Boudicca, Joan of Arc, Hitler and every other cult leader and an explanation of how and why they were. The man who walked around London in the 1660s with a fire-filled brasier on his head warning Londoners of the Great Fire and the Plague to come.

Don't miss the interesting suggestion of providing schizophrenic patients with their own virtual reality world filled with cult followers all courtesy of the Internet. ... Read more

Product Description
From the mass weddings of Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church to the ritual suicides at Heaven's Gate, charismatic cults and their devotees have become facts of American life. Using material gleaned from twenty-five years of direct encounters with cults and their detractors, as well as extensive research, Marc Galanter offers the most extensive psychological analysis of these organizations available. Cults explores not only how members feel and think at all stages of their involvement, but also how larger social and psychological forces reinforce individual commitment within the cults.

For this revised and newly-illustrated second edition, Galanter has added three new chapters on cult development in the 1990s, spiritual recovery movements, and alternative medicine. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Exceptional
This book is hard to put down--it is thoroughly fascinating. It is also an excellent introduction to the dynamics of social psychology in general. The author uses systems theory as a method for thinking about cults--reflecting, for example, on how feedback, monitoring, and group border control can assist us in thinking about insular religious movements. One interesting aspect of cults that the author discusses, and that I had not ever read elsewhere, is their ability to induce in members the 'Stockholm Effect.' This is a term borrowed from a hostage bank robbery in Stockholm some years back, in which hostages began to identify with the person holding them hostage. The author argues that something like this is going on in charismatic religious movements, where initiates are both threatened with abuse and derive their emotional comfort from the same source. People are made to feel abandoned or damned if they stray from the group's norms, but are given family comfort and safety if they adhere closely to the group's beliefs and goals. Like a roach motel, you check in, but have difficulty checking out. I feel that this book's insights into the social psychology of cults is also valuable in understanding propagandistic movements and charismatic manipulation generally.

Now if only
If only someone would apply what we learn from this book to the Islamic radicals that have taken hold of entire populations, we'd be getting somewhere. In the West Bank, for example, more than 70% of the population supports suicide bombings inside Israel. Brainwashing and coersion are used in the schools and mosques to teach hatred and murder. It's the ultimate cult.

Superficial and unsatisfying
Sorry, but this book just doesn't cut it.I expected in-depth information about the psychology of cults and I got superficial anecdotes that never dipped below the headlines.Jim Jones was creepy?Oh, my, what a revelation.David Koresh liked to have sex with young girls?Oh, no, I never heard that before, except for in every first-paragraph newspaper article on Waco.

John D. MacDonald does a much better job in "The Green Ripper" of describing a cult and how it operates.Plus McDonald's novel is fiction so Travis McGee gets to shoot the crap out of the entire cult compound.Much more satisfying than "Cults".Don't waste your money on this one, I wish I hadn't.

Charismatic Coercion Studies
This is a fairly rigorous scientific study of the processes composing cults and charismatic groups.The author provides many examples and case studies, then develops a general theory into a process model.In engineering, we call this a control system.A system has various inputs and outputs and setpoints, or references.The setpoints are the desired results (outputs).Effective systems have a feedback mechanism assuring that the group produces the correct results.This is called monitoring.The leader of the group monitors the thoughts and the actions of the members almost fanatically and foresees contradictory evidence from the outside world and immediately attempts to rationalize it and reinterpret it in the mindset of the group.The group induces extreme stress, then provides relief of that same stress by conformance to the group's doctrines or ideas.

So great can be the stress induced on suspecting people, that sometimes the sanity of the person is threatened.There is a conflict between what the person's needs are and what the group's needs are.The person is expected to meet the needs of the group.The group provides stress relief after the member conforms.Of course, this constant stress inducement and relief is the technique used by the leaders to assure themselves that the people are in line both in mind and in action.Someone who sacrifices so much for the group is more likely to be a true believer.It also gives an idea of those most likely to join such groups: those in the midst of great personal problems and distress; in response to the recruit'scurrent psychological distress where the world seems so messy and hard to understand, the group gives the person a false sense of certainty in their doctrines.Of course, I give here only a rough sketch.

The techniques identified are eye-opening and scary.It appears that not too many people are immune to some sorts of mind coercion.I suppose that knowledge is power and the more one knows about cults and charismatic groups and their repressive psychological terror tactics, the less the subject will be suceptible to recruitment.This study explains who some seemingly rational people can fall for such obviously deviant groups. ... Read more

Product Description
Deranged messiahs...brainwashed devotees...deadly consequences.

Descend into the harrowing world of the Killer Cults. See for yourself how bands of self-proclaimed "angels of death," fueled by lust, power and the thrill of death, committed unspeakable acts of violence.

Now, for the first time, author James J. Boyle takes you inside the inner sanctum of:

The Manson Family: They prayed to their own warped vision of the Holy Trinity-- sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. Under the spell of Charles Manson, a two-bit ex-con they worshipped as a god, they butchered nine people in their 1969 Hollywood killing spree, including beautiful actress Sharon Tate and her unborn child.

The People's Temple: Reverend Jim Jones offered his congregation a vision of heaven and earth. Little did they know that following him to the South American jungle to await the Apocalypse would put them on the path to Hell.

Luc Jouret and The Solar Temple: Belgian spiritualist Luc Jouret warned that the world would end in environmental armageddon. For Jouret and 53 followers of his secretive New Age cult, the end would come all too soon-- in a fiery mass-death ritual that shocked the world, and shattered the peace of an idyllic Swiss Alpine community.

With 8 pages of harrowing photographs!
... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Dead wrong on Waco
If you don't take very word as "Gospel"..Take it for what it is.A "Paperback Book" that tries to cover "Cults".Well that is what it is.

There is a lot of "SHOCK" thrown in along with the same "Shocking" writing style.

Each account in this book deserves BOOKS written.Not simple headlines and writers "Fill".

A Sampler Platter
This book is just what the title of my book review suggests, a sample of various cults in recent history.While the book is good at giving basic information about the cults, it lacks the details true crimes fans like myself enjoy.

James J. Boyle discusses 11 recent cults in his book.These groups include: Charles Manson and his family, Jim Jones,Gordon Kahl and his militia, Hare Krisna leader Kirtanananda Swami Bhakipada, John Africa and MOVE, Jeffery Lundgren and his Mormon movement, Mexico's El Padrino, Yahweh Ben Yahweh, Roch Theriault and his experimental surgeries of live members of his group, David Koresh and the Branch Davidians, and the environmentalist group known as "cirlcle of fire".In his synopsis of each of these groups he does give some good information.Some of the information I had not read in other sources.For example, the book states Charles Manson's favorite pick up line.This is not mentioned in "Helter Skelter".Nor is it mentioned in the book "Helter Skelter" that "Helter Skelter", the Beatles songs was named for a roller coaster in England.However, examples of these types of details are few and far between.Having never heard of El Padrino, I found it particularly interesting.Boyle sites books which give a more detailed accounts of each of the cults. This can add to your research in any particular story interests you.The few pictures also add to the presentation.

This book sets out to give the reader a sample of cults.It is successfulin doing this.More interested readers will be able to find more detailed accounts of each story in the original sources.

Killer Cults
The book was a little lean on details concerning the various beliefs and teachings of the cults. Other than that, it was a pretty interesting read. I don't feel I wasted my money on this book.

Slow Reading.
This book was to detailed about the early years of the leaders of the cults and not detailed enough about the actual details of the cults itself. It left me wanting to know more.... ... Read more

Product Description
If you use Microsofts PowerPoint® presentation software, this fantastic ready-to-use teaching tool will allow you to project on a screen-or show on your computer monitor-a comparison of the beliefs of 20 different religious groups. Contains more than 300 slides. Groups compared: Christianity; Scientology; Judaism; Buddhism; Islam; Unity School of Christianity; Armstrongism; New Age; Hinduism; NEW! Wicca; Mormonism; Hare Krishna; Unification Church; NEW! Nation of Islam; Jehovahs Witnesses; Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism; Christian Science; Transcendental Meditation; Spiritualism; Bahai World Faith. Know what they believe about God, Jesus, Salvation, life after death, and their interesting practices. Shows the founder, date, and location of the groups headquarters. Has photos of founders, headquarters, symbols, key writings, magazines and tracts, practices, etc. Each frame shows the beliefs of a particular religious group on a certain topic. At the bottom of each frame is a Bible button that allows you to go to the frame that shows the Christian belief on the same topic in just one click, so there is no scrambling to find the right frame. One more click will return you to the previous frame. Compatible with Macintosh and PC. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

TIme tested - Great resource
Let me start right off by saying that the resource I'm about to review is very near and dear to my heart.This is a piece of nostalgia from my very early Christian days.I purchased what was probably the 1st or 2nd edition of Rose's chart of Christianity, cults and religionsat a Bible bookstore in Fayetteville, NC as a brand new Christian and absolutely devoured the information in it for years.It has helped me in countless ways both in distinguishing my new found faith from false teachings around the world and also helping to prepare me with good solid answers during discussions on religion with friends, fellow servicemen and family members.I still have the old, tattered and faded copy from all those years ago.

I was blessed by Rose Publishing to be provided the 7th edition of Christianity, Cults and Religions free of charge in exchange for a written review.

Wow, they certainly have come along way in updating this guide.Here are some additions that make this worth every penny you'll pay for one:

* Pictures of group leaders have been added in and around the descriptions of each group.This helps those of us who are more visually oriented.

* Charts of the beliefs and doctrines of different religions.For me, a real chart and map geek, I love this feature.This helps put things in an orderly fashion making it easy to quickly understand how one group is either similar to different from Biblical Christianity.

* Breakdown of the difference between Sunni and Shi'a Islam.This is a much needed feature in today's world.The world, and especially the Christian world, has had to come face to face with the worlds fastest growing religion, Islam.Understanding the very important differences between it's two main sects is critical as we interact with the people of this religion and culture.

* Groups, religions, cults added: Sikhism, Kabbalah Centre, Nation of Islam, Wicca, Seventh-Day Adventism, Soka Gakkai International

* Groups, religions, cults removed (from the 1996 version I have, at least): Armstrongism, Spiritualism(Spiritism), Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism

Overall, a very well laid out pamphlet full of very good basic information.This is the perfect material to tuck inside your Bible or Bible case and review every so often so you are ready to "give a defense for the hope that lies within you" (1 Peter 3:15) when you interact with others who ascribe to some or all of these beliefs.I highly recommend virtually any Rose resource, but I can definitely say that the Christianity, cults and religions booklet is a must have.The apologetics novice to the apologetics expert can benefit from this material and I commend it to you.

Excellent Resource
I received an advance copy of this recently updated pamphlet as a donor.The clear, carefully researched responses, using non-pejorative language,make it a helpful resource for clearly comparing / contrasting the key distinctives of Biblical Christianity vs. other religions and "off shoots" of Christianity.The pamphlet responds to 8 questions for each of the 20 groups covered in a side-by-side format.The compact nature of this laminatedpamphlet make it a very practical, useful document.

Excellent material for quick reference
This product is a must have for a Christian pastor, apologist, missionary, a home group leader or any follower of Jesus who may encounter adherents of the other belief systems. At a glance, it provides useful information on world religions and the most commonly encountered cults, - regarding their origins, set of beliefs and the differences compared to the orthodox Christian views. Because many cults claim themselves to be "Christian", the clear information provided by the pamphlet is very useful for understanding of their true nature and finding opportunities for evangelizing. Highly recommended.

COMPARATIVE RELIGION
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Apologia Report Contributing Editor Paul Carden recently finished updating the best concise religion comparison tool in print, the 7th edition of Rose Publishing's Christianity, Cults & Religions. In this 14-panel fold-out side-by-side comparison chart of the Christianity's 20 principal rivals in the West, details for each belief system considered include: founder, date, location, teachings on God, Jesus, salvation, death, key writings, other beliefs, and distinctive practices.
The news regarding the 7th edition centers on a fresh DVD-based curriculum that is designed to complement this product. To learn more, go to [...].
From Apologia Report 15:23, Jun 24 '10, [...]
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A Very Useful Tool
I received an advance copy of this pamphlet as a donor. I've used earlier editions of this guide as well.

This resource gives good, concise information on key elements of Biblical Christianity and 20 cults and world religions in an easy to use comparison chart format.It also provides the Scriptural foundation for testing prophets and teachings, how to become a Christian according to the Scriptures, and Biblical responses to false teachings about Jesus.
This is a very useful tool with many applications.For example, churches can supply their busy members with a way to quickly grasp the essential differences between Biblical Christianity and the other groups and religions, for use in evangelism and apologetics.Sunday School teachers and small group leaders can use this guide to ground their people in the essentials of the faith, and show how significant the differences with other beliefs are.Finally, the pamphlet provides a foundation for gracefully reaching out to people in other groups and religions, and helps alleviate the fear of doing so.
... Read more

Product Description
American society is culturally diverse with a variety of religious denominations, sects, cults, and self-help groups vying for members. This volume analyzes nine of these groups, chosen both for their intrinsic interest and because they illustrate a variety of sociological concepts. The groups included in this study are: Heaven's Gate, Jesus People USA, the Love Family, The Farm, Amish Women, Scientology, El Nino Fidencio, Santeria, and Freedom Park. The contributors are social scientists with first-hand experience of the groups they examine. ... Read more

Product Description
A former cult member, now a counselor helping thoseaffected by destructive cults, Hassan exposes the troubling factsabout cults' recruitment, their use of psychological manipulation,and their often subtle influence on government, the legal system, andsociety as a whole.

This updated paperback edition includes a new preface by the authorand an expanded bibliography and resource list. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (46)

Jehovah's Witness Roommate
This book is very helpful to those that have been involved in cults and cultic relationships.In 2004, I lived with a Jehovah's Witness cult member in Arizona that controlled and manipulated me.He took my basic rights away.Without the use of the mind control tools that are detailed in the book, the cults would not be able to maintain their totalitarian control over their members.Legitimate religions do not engage in this spiritual abuse but cultic groups do not allow any dissent or outside criticism of the group.Most people mistakenly believe that they are immune to cults but, from personal experience, I know this is not the case.

Needs more substance
I only read about the first one-third of this book before I realized that this book was written for someone who had once been deeply involved in a dangerous cult.If you are looking for a general book about mind control and how to understand it from an academic perspective, this is not the book in my opinion even though the author states that the book will show you how to "fight the battle" against mind control.

Atmospheric, Captivating, Useful.
I was always attracted to the field of destructive cults. I bought this book as a "beginners guide" to the subject and it was a great choice.
This book, beyond being, a merely captivating story, helps you understand why some people find themselves hooked hard into groups and sects you would never believe suits them.

If you have friends or family members locked hard into cults, or even just seem "brainwashed" by some ideas that you and the surroundings find too violent or unheard-of, or in any way destructive to their own lives, and feel a bit lost, this may give you a good start understanding the puzzle in their mind, and helping them step out of the darkness even if they aren't keen on having a dialog.

My Copy Is Covered In Highlighter Marks
This book is very practical because it breaks down, into understandable elements, the techniques used by groups (and certain individuals) to manipulate people.It isn't about bad religions, disagreeable dogmas or conspiracy theory, it's about destructive manipulation techniques that may be found to greater or lesser degrees in many groups (or VERY unhealthy families).This is not an alarmist book.It's not an attack on anyone's doctrine.Instead, it helps you analyze the effect the group has on its members and the degree of influence it has on their critical thinking abilities.

If you have ever questioned whether a group you are involved with is having a destructive affect on you, this book will help you answer that question--definitively.It also gives advice on how best to approach a loved one who is involved with such a group, and common mistakes to avoid, such as attacking their beliefs or vilifying their leaders.

Amazing Look at Cult/Mind Control Mindset
To everyone who gave this book a negative review, or whined about it being against organized religion, clearly didn't read the content beyound the first few pages.

The author clearly outlines a criteria for what a cult is, what kind of abuse/subjugation/exploitation a member goes through, and the kind of methodology those in control use to subjugate and victimize others.

This book perfectly describes an organizations that I know of, and another that I myself have been part of (but was smart enough to get out of.) It is a clear, straight to the point source of information. Anyone that has ever been in a cult and wants out, or anyone who has a loved one in a cult will find this book extremely helpful. ... Read more

Product Description
In Moonwebs, award-winning journalist Josh Freedpenetrates the complex and frightening world of modern day cults. Hedescribes the incredible efforts made by friends to extricate theirfriend Benji Miller from the grasp of cult leader Sun Myung Moon. Whenfriends and family risked thousands of dollars and criminal charges tokidnap Benji and deprogram him, author Josh Freed was with them. Heconveys the terrifying power of the Unification Church by describingtheir harrowing brainwashing techniques.

When first publishedMoonwebs sold 70,000 copies. Vehicule Press is pleased to bring thisgripping case study, which reveals the growing political and financialempire of Rev. Sun Myung Moon, back into print. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Frightening
Aside from the fact that Moonwebs reads like a novel, flowing easily and pulling the reader into its narrative, there is a far greater reason to read the book.First written over twenty years ago and reprinted in 1989,one would think that it would be a history of days gone by, situationsresolved.But its tale of "Reverend" Sung Myung Moon and hisMoonies is just as relevant today because Moon is still very powerful.Weno longer see Moonies selling flowers in the street much, so we haveforgotten what Moon can do.Today, Moon's empire is more mainstream, withreal estate and publishing holdings.And that is even scarier than thebrainwashed youngsters told of in this book.Today, Moon has the power andinfluence to extend his brainwashing to far greater numbers of us. Moonwebs is thought-provoking and scary for that very reason.

Moonwebs
This book does an amazing job at explaining the highly sophisticated techniques of cult organizations and the mental process that goes on inside the mind of someone who falls prey to a cult.

It also explains the political and financial background of Rev. Moon. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Source of Information on Various Religions
McDowell and Stewart have written an excellent title on what various religious groups believe and how they compare to traditional Christianity.

The book opens with an introduction to cults (the definition of what a cult is and their characteristics).Afterwards, a clear and succinct of traditional Christianity is presented (source of authority, God, Jesus, Salvation, Man, the Holy Spirit, etc.).The rest of the book is dedicated to various cults and how they compare to Christianity.

Among the groups covered include:

Hare Krishna, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, Theosophy, EST, Children of God, Transcendental Meditation, Unification Church, The Way International, Christian Science, Worldwide Church of God (although this organization has changed its beliefs and may no longer be considered a cult), and Unity.

The authors objectively compare the beliefs and show what specific items contradict Christianity.Any adherent to the above groups should honestly evaluate how their beliefs contradict Christianity and consider truth as revealed by God's Holy Bible.The true believer will benefit by understanding what the people of these groups believe and how they can communicate with them over religious matters.

Highly recommended! ... Read more

Product Description
They secretly meet for seventeen days each July at a place called the Bohemian Grove, a remote forest of ancient redwood trees in the deep Northern California woods. Some 1,500 in number, their membership rolls include current and former U.S. Presidents, heavy-hitting corporate chieftains, and high government officials. Mingling among them are a number of Hollywood movie stars, Broadway producers, famous musicians, authors, painters and poets. These are America's most powerful men.

The celebrity names you'd easily recognize, but chances are you've never heard of the Bohemian Club.

For most the club's long history, the public could only speculate as to what these men were doing behind closed doors. Now the truth can finally be revealed.

Mike Hanson is a first-hand eyewitness who has been inside the Bohemian Grove, and successfully emerged with the first video evidence ever brought out of the power elite's exclusive compound. He peers behind the deep, green foliage and twisted vines, and the moss-covered brown limbs and trunks of ancient, gnarled trees to discover what really goes on inside.

On this, the 130-year anniversary of the founding of the Bohemian Club, Bohemian Grove: Cult of Conspiracy promises to uncover the Grove's hidden history and expose the secrets of the redwoods.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Hmmmmmm.
I wonder why the 2 negative reviewers only reviewed this book. Have they not read watched or used any other products on Amazon?
I wonder who they are and why they don't like the book.

BIased Book
I thought the book was very biased, not a true representation of the Grove.The author was obviously slanted to getting his own views across to the readers.

Sensationalist TV Style Trash
After having shelled out a reasonable amount of $ for this hefty, (if only paperback) tome, I can only say that I am sorely disappointed with the content. I was expecting a scholarly account of the history of Bohemian Grove and some 'investagative journalism' style account of having been inside the Grove. All I got was cheap, sensationalist, TV style, trashy first-hand account of a few hours spent inside the Bohemian Retreat with a camcorder.

This account of what is purported to happen inside the Grove is woefully short on facts, but full of wild supposition. To a practicing, Ph.D. qualified scientist used to dealing in hard facts - the 'evidence' suggesting human sacrifice at the grove seriously undermines the credibility of this account, as does the oral witness used to support a number of other equally absurd claims.

In short - this book highlights a very interesting conspiracy theory without providing any compelling evidence. It is by no means a convincing work. I would save my money. My copy is destined for Ebay!!

Excellent, Thought Provoking Book
I recieved this book for my birthday.I have absolutely loved it so far.There are a couple things I would not agree with but it doesn't change my opionon about the book.The author first describes the Waco disaster.The thing that I would disagree with is that Hanson debunks some of the myths of the Waco disaster which could be true, but what I don't agree with is that he says that the Dividians were not a cult.The dividians believed that their pastor david was Jesus Christ and that he came back on the second coming. They also said that he could open the seven seals in the book of revelations chapter 3 and 4. They are definately a cult, even though they didn't harm anyone contrary to what the government says.
I skipped ahead to the story of how Alex and Mike got in the bohemian grove.I had to hear the story.I thought it was one of the most hilarious things I ever heard with all the close calls!! I am glad that there is humor in this book but one has to know the deeply occultic side of this too.
Now we have to ask ourselves.Do we really thing George W. Bush is a christian???? A lot and I mean A lot of evidence shows this is not the case!!!! We have to see that many will be decieved, even the very elect. George W. Bush probably is a wolf is sheeps clothing. I thought I'd write two reviews since I am not all the way through, this book deserves two reviews!!! Big thumbs up!!!!! Also remember, many almost all of our presidents have been involved in secret societies!!! Where do you think we got the great seal from?????? From a dark being who visited Thomas Jefferson, he gave him a red velvet bag with the two seals on the 1 dallor bill.The dark being came to him mostly because he was a rosicruicanist.(another secret society). Wake up folks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally! *The* Bohemian Grove book I'd been hoping to find!
I was so delighted to find this book - a comprehensive history and study of the powerful and influential San Francisco Bohemian Club was long overdue! Since William Domhoff's "The Bohemian Grove and Other Retreats" has been out of print for 30 years, and other books have only skimmed the subject of the Bohemian Grove (maybe just a chapter or two), this book is nearly 450 pages on the subject - WOW! - Everything you Ever Wanted To Know About The Bohemian Grove (But Were Probably Afraid to Ask!).

Author Hanson provides a thorough history of the club, from it's humble founding in 1873 by a group of eminent newspapers writers such as Mark Twain, Ambrose Bierce and Bret Harte, through the club's growth into a fashionable hangout for theatrical performers, musicians, artists, and movie stars in the early 20th century, to its current status of over 1500 members including some of the most powerful businessmen, politicians, and influential scholars, scientists and leaders on the planet.

Hanson manages to make this history a fascinating read (his style is not dry or too academic...that's refreshing!), and his writing style is careful to represent all sides of the ongoing debate fairly (so's that). Of course, there are still many unanswered questions floating around about what *really* goes on inside the Bohemian Grove, but Mike Hanson has done an excellent job in unraveling many of the secret mysteries, debunking a few conspiracy theories, while keeping his eye trained on the bigger picture...that the Bohemian Grove is only one key component in a much larger agenda that should concern all of us - WHO OWNS AMERICA? Well, this book names names - literally! - there's even a complete Bohemian Club membership list in the Appendix section.

Also included is a complete list of the various camps at the Grove, and a list of noteables who have been club members in the past reads like a "Who's Who in America" for the past 130 years! - everyone from Teddy Roosevelt and Jack London to Bobby Kennedy and Bill Clinton, plus famous entertainers like Will Rogers, Bing Crosby, Art Linkletter, Lowell Thomas, and yes, even California governor Arnold schwartenegger (who they say was "chosen" for the governorship at the Bohemian Grove!). Add to that every Republican president since Calvin Coolidge, right up to our current President George W. Bush, and his father and grandfather before him, and you've got one helluva story to tell.

The photos alone are incredible (how about Presidents Nixon, Reagan and Eisenhower all relaxing together at Owl's nest Camp?) and the author's own personal story of how he infiltrated Bohemian Grove is a real page-turner. I couldn't put this book down! Pretty amazing story - Mike Hanson and Alex Jones secretly snuck into the Bohemian Grove compund in July of 2000 and captured the super-secret occult fire ritual practiced by Bohemians called "The Cremation of Care" on hidden video cameras. The result of their effort was made into a documentary film called "Dark Secrets - Inside Bohemian Grove" and the rest of the story is inside the pages of this new book by Mr. Hanson.

"Bohemian Grove - Cult of Conspiracy" is an absolutely invaluable resource to any serious political and/or occult researcher. The author goes into great detail giving documentation, references and a selected bibliography for further reading on the subject, and adding a Preface to the book about Waco and an Epilogue about 9/11 was a nice touch. Very skillful, thought-provoking work. Everybody should read it!

... Read more

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Customer Reviews (9)

Anthropological rather than theological sources
Dr. Brown's classic lectures on the source of the cult of the saints is an anthropological more than theological study of those sources. In the first lecture Dr. Brown demolishes the 'two-tiered' popular historical model that assumes a vast difference between the educated Christian elite and less educated members of the faith. He finds that the cult of the saints did not arise from the undereducated and superstitious as has been theorized by modern post-enlightenment biased historians. Indeed, there is evidence that the cult arose from the very elite with which the modern historian so quickly identifies.In this, Dr. Brown has done a great service to identify our tendency to project our modern bias in historical thought.

But, while Dr. Brown identifies modern bias he may hold some of his own. He consistently refers to the rise of the cult in the 4th century as so many have asserted in the past. But such an assertion ignores how fully developed the cult had already become from such early 2nd century writings as the martyrdom of Polycarp or the martyrdom of Perpetua.Dr. Brown talks little about the early development of the cult focused on martyrs of the early centuries.And, he makes no mention of some of the roots in Jewish traditions.Assuming a 4th century explosion of the cult on Christendom loses much of the continuity of earlier centuries and leaves us grasping for the theological mindset that could apparently create the cult as a theological reality from nothing. By focusing so much on the anthropological roots, Dr. Brown loses the continuity of the theological roots.His myopic approach to history results in many of the same historical biases he rightly decries.Because of this one-sided approach, his anthropological arguments are very interesting but not as enlightening as they might have been.

There are two other works that are a bit more rounded with the theological continuity that balances Dr. Brown's work. The reader would do well to pick up a copy of 'Let us die that we may live': Greek homilies on Christian Martyrs from Asia Minor, Palestine and Syria c.350-c.450 AD or The Cult of the Saints (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press Popular Patristics) for homilies through the 4th century that provide inside evidence of the cult of the saints. In these works we find the early development of the cult and the continuity of its theological roots.

Dr. Brown gives us some interesting insight into the anthropological roots of the cult of the saints. But, in the end, the reader will want to round their understanding more with other works to truly understand the phenomena. Still, a worth-while work with some interesting insight that counters much of the popular historical bias.

The sainted and how they got that way
The Cult of the Saints is a scholarly look into how the saints, who were after all only human, came to occupy such exalted places in the minds of Catholics. The entire Christian world, it must be remembered, was nothing but Catholic for centuries. Peter Browns series of essays shows how, far from being a pagan holdover, the use of saints as mediators between earth and heaven became so popular and so accepted.

This is not a book to breeze through; rather, it requires careful, line by line reading. Recommended for readers who have the patience necessary to glean understanding from this scholarly material.

The other history of the early church
I've always like Peter Brown's works.This one covers the early history of Christianity that you don't read about in Bible class.Lots of weird practices and almost a general argument on why it's good to have some organization in your religion.

Good background book of the Middle Ages
A very interesting and refreshing look at how some of the beliefs of the Catholic Church came about. It is a good read even for non scholars even if it gets a bit dry in places. It is not written for entertainment so it is not something everyone would enjoy, but if you want to make sense of medieval history and the church's influence, this is a good bet.

The Cult of Saints and the Joining of Heaven and Earth
In the Cult of Saints, readers are offered a fascinating glimpse into the religious and cultural life of Late Antique and early Medieval civilization.Peter Brown's narrative is gripping and his expositions on the topics he addresses are learned, informative and lively.Now some of the main points of interest will be his discussions on the (1) affinities and differences between Pagan and Christian views on death, burial and the afterlife.For instance, he does a fine job isolating the pagan concepts of guardian spirits, or daemons [=genius, Latin], from the developing cultus linked to deceased Christian holy men and martyrs.Also, Brown brilliantly (2) explains the foundation and formation of the Cult of Saints--its genesis at the humble graves of the holy dead to its maturation and rise to prominence in the Church, in civic life and in the daily lives of believing men and women.Other valuable aspects of this work are: (3) Brown's survey on the significance and power of relics and (4) the interesting insight he sheds upon the development of saints as patrons, protectors, healers and as invisible agents that exorcise demons.Perhaps the most notable feature of this work is this--that such was the importance and power of the cult of saints in late and post-classic life that the tombs, shrines and relics of sainted men became the meeting ground for Heaven and Earth. ... Read more

Product Description
Gods, deities, symbolism, deposition, cosmology and intentionality are all features of the study of early ritual and cult. Archaeology has great difficulties in providing satisfactory interpretation or recognition of these elusive but important parts of ancient society, and methodologies are often poorly equipped to explore the evidence. This collection of papers explores a wide range of prehistoric and early historic archaeological contexts from Britain, Europe and beyond, where monuments, architectural structures, megaliths, art, caves, ritual activity and symbolic remains offer exciting glimpses into ancient belief systems and cult behaviour. Different theoretical and practical approaches are demonstrated, offering both new directions and considered conclusions to the many problems of studying the archaeology of cult and ritual. Central to the volume is an exploration of early Malta and its intriguing Temple Culture, set in a broad perspective by the discussion and theoretical approaches presented in different geographical and chronological contexts. ... Read more

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

Customer Reviews (1)

Odd that he uses the word "cult" in title.He doesn't think they exist at all.
I find it extremely disingenous for J. Gordon Melton to use the word "Cult" in the title of his work, when he obviously doesn't believe that any religion is a cult at all.He apparently doesn't mind taking the money of people that want to learn about cults.The title of this book should be, "There Is No Such Thing as a Cult: All Religious Organizations are Equally Valid and Useful".I imagine that Melton finds it humorous that he tricks people that are buying this book into thinking they are getting a compilation of exposes on various cultic organizations -- when he is really selling a long argument about why each organization shouldn't even be called a cult, but rather a "new religious movement".This author is a huckster.

J. Gordon Melton co-founded cult apologist organization CESNUR, heads CESNUR USA, and directs the Institute for the Study of American Religion (ISAR).This Methodist minister (ordained elder in the United Methodist Church) is seen by many Christian and secular apologists and counter-cult professionals as a cult apologist.

Though Melton professes to be an Evangelical Christian, many Evangelicals do not consider his views on cults and other religions as representative.For example, Melton claims that the Jehovah's Witnesses, Unification Church, Jonestown (Jim Jones' People's Temple), Aum Shinrikyo, the Church of Scientology, etcetera, are not cults.

Rather than recognize and acknowledge the sociological and/or theological aspects that make each of these movements cults, Melton prefers the euphemistic term "New Religious Movements."

Melton has become a controversial figure for several reasons:

1) His defense of various groups widely viewed as, theologically, cults of Christianity (e.g. the Local Church, and The Family). Though he has admitted that he does not know where to draw the line between orthodoxy and heresy, Melton even aided the Local Church in its lawsuit against a Christian countercult ministry.

2) His largely uncritical treatment of groups ranging from the Church Universal and Triumphant to the Church of Scientology. Some of his work reads like made-to-order PR material. His study of the Church Universal and Triumphant, done in co-operation with fellow cult-apologist James R. Lewis, is described by one sociologist as a "a travesty of research."

3) His attacks on Christian apologetics ministries, apologists, and counter-cult professionals.

4) His assertion that apostates invariably lie.

For these reasons, while most people acknowledge Melton's expertise at gathering and organizing research data, many religion professionals and secular anti-cult activitists believe he does a poor job at interpreting that data. ... Read more

Product Description
Contrary to conventional wisdom, violent episodes involving cults are rare historically. But their potential to affect and disrupt civic life looms large and efforts to manage these incidents involve controversial issues of religious freedom, politics, state intervention, and public security. The interpretive challenge of this book is to provide a social scientific explanation for these rare events. The authors conclude that they usually involve some combination of internal and external dynamics through which a new religious movement and society become polarized. ... Read more

Product Description
Cult Watch provides historical background and the vital facts on the major beliefs of modern religious movements and looks closely at the reasons people become entrapped in them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Q & A on Cults and the Occult
In "Cult Watch: What You Need to Know About Spiritual Deception" authors John Ankerberg and John Weldon provide a large volume that furnishes the historical background and pertinent facts about aberrant and cultic groups. The authors give the reader the scriptural refutations of the various heretical groups as they bring clarity to the essential doctrines to the Christian faith.

These authors have a knack for lively and engaging writing as theypromote the truth found in the biblical Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

This is a potential book for your apologetic library inasmuch as the format of this book is Question-and-answer; it uses thorough documentation along with precise and penetrating analysis of many false faiths.

Chapter include:
- Mormonism
- Jehovah's Witnesses
- Masons
- The New Age Movement
- The Occult
- The Word Faith Movement and more. 375 pages with index.
Presuppositional Apologetics Examines Mormonism: How Van Til's Apologetic Refutes Mormon Theology

not put together very well
1 penny was to much for this book

read better alots better

i give you half star out of five

A very good book!!
The book has good information about different cults and is highly infomative.I recommend it to all Christians and those who want to know about authentic Christianity!

Authors use very spurious evidence
John Ankerberg and John Weldon have tag teamed in numerous books that offer their clarification of the unconventional religions of the world.However, I find two repeating flaws in their works, including this one, in whichy they both take documents out of their contexts and misinform the reader about "the facts".The fact is that Weldon and Ankerberg use doubtful evidence to back up their claims; they make logical leaps that only the careful eye can detect as fallacious.I have used these works to teach my writing class about poor use of evidene and extravagant claims. Their writing is hyperbolic and often redundant.

There is a diversity of other texts to explore before this one.Don't start with this book.It's just not worth your time or your money.

Well covered!
There authors have documented and presented their facts very well.
For the Christian believer who studies spiritual warfare this is a wonderful aide to your original text book. The only ones who may be offended are the ones who are still in these various doctrines of deception. Sometimes the truth just hurts. ... Read more

Product Description
An investigation into some of the murderous cults and their leaders that have flourished in recent years, with coverage of, among others, the Branch Davidians of Waco, the Jonestown massacre in Guyana and some Satanist groups, who encourage violence for its own sake. ... Read more