A major, perhaps the major, focus of early research on New Religious Movements (NRMs) was on the people who joined. Most of the field's pioneer researchers were sociologists. However, the profile of NRM members had changed substantially by the twenty-first century - changes largely missed because the great majority of current NRM specialists are not quantitatively oriented. Sects & Stats aims to overturn the conventional wisdom by drawing on current quantitative data from two sources: questionnaire research on select NRMs and relevant national census data collected by Anglophone countries. Sects & Stats also makes a strong argument for the use of longitudinal methods in studying alternative religions. Additionally, through case studies drawn from the author's own research projects over the years, readers will be brought into a conversation about some of the issues involved in how to conduct such research.

Interweaving three centuries of transatlantic religious and social history with historical and present-day ethnography, Luis Nicolau Pares traces the formation of Candomble, one of the most influential African-derived religious forms in the African diaspora, with practitioners today centered in Brazil but also living in Europe and elsewhere in the Americas. Originally published in Brazil and not available in English, The Formation of Candomble reveals cultural changes that have occurred in religious practices within Africa, as well as those caused by the displacement of enslaved Africans in the Americas. Departing from the common assumption that Candomble originated in the Yoruba orixa (orisha) worship, Pares highlights the critical role of the vodun religious practices in its formation process. Vodun traditions were brought by enslaved Africans of Dahomean origin, known as the Jeje nation in Brazil since the early eighteenth century. The book concludes with Pares's account of present-day Jeje temples in Bahia, which serves as the first written record of the oral traditions and ritual of this particular nation of Candomble.

As a Mormon, I carried a Bible to church with me for thirty years. I was told that it had been translated incorrectly. I did not realize the pearl of greatest price that I had in my hand. The Bible and Mormon doctrine cannot stand together - one must fall. When held up against the Bible, Mormon doctrine crumbles. A sure foundation found only in Jesus Christ emerges. This book will answer the question - What does the Bible say about Mormon doctrine? Why can the Bible be trusted? What does the the Bible teach about prophets and prophecy? What does it say about priesthood and temples? Who is the God of the Bible? What is the Trinity? What are covenants? What is the difference between law and grace? What does the Bible teach about the Church? Most important of all - What is the Biblical plan of salvation? Are you carrying a Bible around and don't really know what it says about these doctrines? If you read this you will realize that you may already have the pearl of greatest price and not even realize it. Do you really know the truth?

Satan, the Devil, Lucifer, the Evil One... Pick the name and they all refer to the same thing, or person, or being, or whatever the Devil is supposed to be. Feared, worshipped or dismissed, the Devil remains a presence in our world. But who is he? Is evil an essence, an objective reality? Does Satan rule the world? Is there an absolute evil set against absolute good, generating all other evils? Is Satan roaming the earth "seeking whom he may devour?" What is Satanism? Who are the true worshippers of Satan? Does demonic possession exist? Were the witches executed during the Middle Ages really worshippers of Satan? Have people really killed in the name of Satan? The works of the Devil are an amazing complex and often frightening puzzle that has been worked on by theologians, philosophers, psychologists and sociologists for centuries. The puzzle has never been truly solved but in this chilling occult book by author Troy Taylor, he'll be taking the readers on a roller coaster ride into the horror of the belief in - and works of - the Devil. From a biography of Lucifer to the history of Hell itself, the book includes black mass and devil worship, black magic, necromancy, sorcerers, witchcraft, evil spirits, demonic possession, the Nazis and the Occult, Aleister Crowley, Anton LaVey, Satanic murders and much more The Devil has been with us since the beginning of recorded time. Today, we believe that we have shed the superstitions of pagan times, but this book will shatter that illusion. Our rational age of science and reason is marked by a staggering number of tales of supernatural events, horrific discoveries and nameless horrors that all have their roots in antiquity - and all of which can be traced to our belief in the Devil and his evil works. You may think you've read frightening books by Troy Taylor before, but we promise that this will be the scariest book you'll read this year

Rizwan Qureshi is from Columbus, Texas, USA. He writes all his personal knowledge, experiences, and 100 percent true information about demons, pains, painless diseases, and cancer/infection insects. He writes pure truth and only those things in this book and in book 1, whatever he was dealing and experiencing by himself. His source of knowledge is purely his own experiences with dealing with supernatural, invisible demons, different kinds of invisible pains and painless diseases. According to him, cancer is a very easily treatable and curable disease. As he sees it, thousands of demons are residing in our houses around us. According to him, demons cannot perform any physical activity by themselves. He explains that, by nature, demons are very arrogant and extremely negative. The author suggested several practical ideas, procedures, and theories for common people and medical and modern science on how they can learn and handle demons, pains, painless diseases, and insects responsible for cancer by themselves. The author is 100 percent sure that after reading his books, everyone will be aware and will be able to control the invisible parallel world around them. In this book, he writes clear instructions for individuals on how they can communicate and interact with the demons around them, how to make demons around them their friends, and how to ask demons to do some stuff for them. Author describes in detail how much stuff we can expect our demon friends to do for us. Author writes very clear and very easy instructions for an individual once someone decides to learn how to communicate with demons. He advises everyone to start practicing.

Life inside the Osho International Ashram in Pune, India. Remember Bhagwan Rajneesh, the infamous guru with sixteen Rolls Royces, who set up camp in Oregon, USA? Although he died many years ago, his cockeyed philosophies live on at his "International Meditation Resort" in India. Read about a much different ashram experience than you read about in Eat, Pray, Love (by Elizabeth Gilbert).

This is the remarkable story of a young woman's harrowing experience in a religious sect and how she overcame the devastating effects that sought to take control of her life. August, 1977, Faye Thomas was the fortunate recipient of a full scholarship to study abroad in Madrid, Spain. Anticipating the opportunity to soak up the culture and pursue her studies, Faye was unprepared for the two years of manipulation and mind control forced upon her and dozens of other women caught in the deceptive and destructive web of the Children of God. Today, many young adults will be introduced to religious cults. Cult members approach their victim by highlighting the supposed attributes of their organization, such as communal living, shared financial responsibilities and the freedom to dedicate one's life one hundred per cent to God by dropping out of school or society. Written from personal experience, this book will empower ex-cult members as they work to rebuild their life while educating the Christian believer to have a greater awareness of the signs of cultic activity within a religious organization. Compelling, informative, and thoughtfully written, The Children of God is a must read for anyone in need of a guiding light. Publisher's website: http: //sbpra.com/FayeThomas

Based on a true story. This book is written to expose a church that elicits wrongful acts among its congregation: the House of Prayer in Atlanta, Georgia. It gives graphic and horrifying details of the realities of life inside a cult. The House of Prayer made headline news in 2001. Several networks, stations and people got involved which included but not limited to Dateline NBC, CNN, Fox News, Atlanta Journal Constitution, BBC, People Magazine, Bryant Gumbel, Bill O'Reilly, Sally Jessy Raphael and Nancy Grace.

Since its first publication in 1623, no alchemic tract has been more widely read than The Hermeticum Arcanum, and no other has been so often reprinted, in Latin, German, French and English - to include a preface by William Wynn Westcott in this edition -

What do divorce, alcoholism, kidnapping, radio evangelism, ancient prophecies, the collapse of the Soviet Union, church schism and the Stockholm Syndrome have in common with the music of the Beatles? The People of he Sign effortlessly weaves these together, proving once and for all that truth really is far, far stranger than fiction.

Help for Cult Survivors and the People Who Care About Them
There are 3000 to 5000 cults in the US alone, with millions of members. Those who become disenchanted and leave often experience profound distress. The Leave the Cult Handbook offers solace, insight, and practical guidance to former members and their families. It also provides a rare glimpse into the inner workings of cult-like groups and how they affect followers for anyone wanting to know.
What's In the Book? Readers find chapters on cult characteristics, cult leaders, assessing whether their group was a cult, evaluating losses and gains, and moving forward. A free, downloadable Workbook comes with the package, providing readers a chance to process their own journey and use the links to resources.
What Readers Are Saying on Amazon "With sensitivity and compassion, the author brings one through the self-misgivings that accompany the decision to sever affiliation with an organization that is no longer providing emotional, psychological and spiritual happiness. Having made her own way through the healing process and counseled others through the same journey, the author is able to concisely lay out a process for restoring one's faith in life and oneself such that wellness can be regained in the most expedient manner possible. I found it very helpful." -- Mary Goodyear
"Very insightful, great book for parents, friends or anyone who is in a group and wondering if they are in a "high demand group." -- Samuel Bradshaw
"This is a wonderful handbook, and I only wish it had been available when I left a cult and struggled through much what the author describes on my own. I hope others find this when they need it, and that they use this guide as they listen to their own inner wisdom to build and rebuild their lives outside of a cult." -- Anni Gardner
About the Author Hiyaguha Cohen spent 23 years inside of an Eastern cult before making the difficult decision to leave. She since pursued a doctorate in human development and professional coaching and wrote her doctoral dissertation on helping survivors of cults. She has written this book with an insider's eye. Dr. Cohen lives in Hawaii and writes engaging books that help people.

CHECKMATE means it's over - you are lost, without hope. When playing chess, one must observe the rules of play. Why is Checkmate ... the only book of its kind? The rules In "Bible Chess" the rules of play (the context rule and the harmony rule) are the referees that keep the players from "moving the king more than one space at a time." The goal of Checkmate ... is for your opponents to see the conflict between what they have been taught and the truth of God's Word. Are you willing to take God at His Word? "In 40 years of speaking with Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses," Dave says, "I never found one who believed John 1:3 - All things were made by him Jesus Christ]; and without him was not any thing made that was made. All things would include matter and Michael the Archangel. One cannot believe in a false god or a false Jesus and have true salvation. Jesus said, I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins (John 8:24). A missionary since 1982 with Macedonia World Baptist Missions, Inc., Braselton, Georgia, Dave Weeks founded Baptist World Cult Evangelism (BWCE) in 1994. BWCE is a helps ministry to reach the unreached, who are knocking at your door, with the true Jesus of the Bible, the Eternal Son of God.

Mitt Romney's run for President of the United States created enormous interest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In spite of enormous media focus during the so-called Mormon Moment, coverage was often shallow and misleading, even from the LDS Church. Few reporters dug deep enough to deal with the evidence that the Mormon Church is in a deep crisis, not only because of members leaving but because of increasing proof of lies, fraud, false teaching, and criminality at the start of Mormonism. James Beverley tells the Mormon story as few can. He has studied Mormonism for over 35 years and has consulted frequently with other experts on Mormonism, both LDS and outside the LDS Church. His research trips to Utah have included interaction with polygamous Mormons, major LDS scholars, and the Attorney General of the State of Utah. Mormon Crisis deals with major issues about Joseph Smith, the first LDS prophet, provides sustained critique of Mormon Scripture, examines flaws in the LDS understanding of Church leadership, and probes unique doctrines and practices, including the secret temple ceremonies. The book offers a serious indictment of the current LDS belief system but also a way out of the current crisis facing one of Americas most famous and controversial religions.

After many years of silence, Mahaleyah Goodman dares to reveal the shocking facts about a community she lived in for over twenty years. The internationally renowned community called the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem has been shrouded in mystery from the very first day they arrived in Israel. The world will finally discover the disturbing truth about a major cult residing in Israel, right in plain sight.... Mahaleyah's autobiography weaves a fantastic tale of innocence, betrayal, and sacrifice, as she opens our eyes to the secret agenda of one of this century's most diabolical cult leaders. You will share this writer's most tender moments as a child and daughter... Then witness her transformation into a mindless cult follower. The eyes of Israel have been deceived, but not for long. When the real truth hits the fan, you can honestly say, you read it here first...

The Cult Around the Corner is dedicated to bringing reason, understanding and open communication to an often explosive subject: the involvement of oneself, a friend or loved one in a group that might be called a "cult."

This is the story of a young man who was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, seemingly destined to spend the rest of his life following the instruction of God's 'Spirit Directed Organisation'. He soon came to discover however, that things were not as they had first seemed. Following a patch of doubt and subsequent in-depth investigation into the religion, the young man began to realise that the things he had previously accepted without question no longer made sense. His eyes were opened to the various powerful methods that were, and still are being used to control the minds of the faith's followers. The story contained within these pages describes the author's life, from his upbringing as a Jehovah's Witness, his struggles along the way, and the challenges he faced as he tried to break free. His extensive research into the religion's history is also documented, including apparent accounts of questionable teachings and manipulative methodologies.

This book is the true account of how I gave my life to a cruel and criminally insane cult leader, and how I was miraculously able to take it back and emerge a stronger and more compassionate person. Escape is the first book that tells an insider's story of daily life ruled by a psychopathic cult leader. The book shows how easy it is to become brainwashed by a charismatic personality into thinking that torture, starvation, and complete isolation are essential to a spiritual life. It is also a cautionary tale for the parents and family members of anyone belonging to a cult, and for people recovering from cults, extreme religions, or abusive relationships.

This research explored how identity transitions are accomplished when individuals experience distress in relationship to the social systems in which they are embedded. Study participants grew up in cultic groups, where they were parented by committed members. Twenty-two people who chose to leave or were ejected from 12 groups provided low point, high point, and turning point stories for an exploratory narrative analysis. Life story narratives revealed a jarring disconnect between what participants were expected to believe and become and how they experienced themselves. The research interviews provided richly textured data about the experience of growing up cult, the process of leaving, and what helped or hindered as participants navigated new social contexts. A categorical content analysis showed that participants experienced pressure and a sense of isolation. Adverse events such as neglect, abuse, and violence were reported. Many experienced the loss of family and friends as the exit cost for leaving. The research showed that a crystallization of discontent motivated participants to leave despite resource deficits and considerable uncertainty. During the process of constructing identities more congruent with an emerging sense of self, participants rejected worldviews inculcated during childhood. Results challenge theories that situate identity negotiation as a stage-specific dilemma that occurs during adolescence. The analysis indicates that exposure to diverse views and role models; exploration of personal truth and experimentation; and skill development in critical thinking and reality testing were important to successful adaptation. A key finding suggests that existing therapeutic approaches grounded in cult education and recovery from abuse would benefit from a complementary focus on identity development.