Cult Rhetoric in the 21st Century: Deconstructing the Study of New Religious Movements

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Examining contemporary understandings of the term cult, this book brings together scholars from multiple disciplines, including sociology, anthropology and religious studies. Focusing on how cult rhetoric affects our perceptions of new religious movements, the contributors explore how these minority groups have developed and deconstruct the language we use to describe them.

Ranging from the Cult of Trump and Cult of COVID, to the campaigns of mass media, this book recognises that contemporary cult rhetoric has become hybridised and suggests a more nuanced study of contemporary religion. Topics include online religions, political cults, apostate testimony and the current othered position of the study of minority religions.

Reviews

This is an important book because it charts a middle way between scholars of New Religious Movements (NRMs), Cultic Studies scholars and ex-members of NRMs ... It establishes a course for a more inclusive and empathetic study of NRMs. * Carole M. Cusack, The University of Sydney, Australia *
Part critical history, part call to action, Cult Rhetoric is a must-read for scholars wishing to move the study of minority religions forward in the twenty-first century. Providing a range of perspectives, its contributors analyse the many ways that scholars as well as government officials, law enforcement agents, psychologists, the media, and others shape popular understanding of cults. * Rebecca Moore, San Diego State University, USA *
['Cult' Rhetoric in the 21st Century] would be of interest to students and scholars of new religious movements and other groups focused on authoritarian leaders. * CHOICE *
This anthology is helpful for understanding how this language is used with new religious movements to provide an antidote to biased approaches. It will be helpful for studying religion and culture, especially new and minority religions, that are frequently misunderstood. * Nova Religio *

Author Bio

Aled Thomas is a Teaching Fellow in the Study of Religion at the University of Leeds, UK. He is the author of Free Zone Scientology: Contesting the Boundaries of a New Religion (Bloomsbury, 2021).

Edward Graham-Hyde is an Associate Lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire, UK and Treasurer of the Information Network Focus on Religious Movements (Inform).