The material in this book, first published in 1990, provides important documentation for the first generation of Rosicrucianism in North America, especially the still vigorous Rosicrucian Fraternity. These chapters reprinted here are so necessary to the understanding of this most occult organization, and are otherwise difficult to locate and read.

The material in this book, first published in 1990, provides important documentation for the first generation of Rosicrucianism in North America, especially the still vigorous Rosicrucian Fraternity. These chapters reprinted here are so necessary to the understanding of this most occult organization, and are otherwise difficult to locate and read.

First published in 1992, this book focuses on the Muslim community and how it has developed in North America. Divided into eight sections, it traces the history of the Muslim community in North America from the nineteenth century to the end of the twentieth-century and examines different aspects of the community such as Sectarian Movements, Islam in the African American community and points of contact between Christian and Islamic communities. The text includes a number of bibliographies to aid further study and closes with a helpful directory of Muslim organizations and centers in North America. This book will be of particular interest to those studying Islam and Religion in North America.

First published in 1992, this book focuses on the Muslim community and how it has developed in North America. Divided into eight sections, it traces the history of the Muslim community in North America from the nineteenth century to the end of the twentieth-century and examines different aspects of the community such as Sectarian Movements, Islam in the African American community and points of contact between Christian and Islamic communities. The text includes a number of bibliographies to aid further study and closes with a helpful directory of Muslim organizations and centers in North America. This book will be of particular interest to those studying Islam and Religion in North America.

First Published in 1992. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

First Published in 1993. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor and Francis, an informa company.

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.

Preceded by three introductory essays and a chronology of major events in black religious history from 1618 to 1991, this A-Z encyclopedia includes three types of entries:
* Biographical sketches of 773 African American religious leaders
* 341 entries on African American denominations and religious organizations (including white churches with significant black memberships and educational institutions)
* Topical articles on important aspects of African American religious life (e.g., African American Christians during the Colonial Era, Music in the African American Church)
The biographical sketches range from a paragraph to several pages for such major figures as Martin Luther King. Entries for the larger African American denominations are likewise several pages in length, as are most of the topical articles.
A bibliography of 303 major texts on African American religion follows the entries, most of which conclude with a list of references specifically related to their subject. A directory section provides the current addresses and telephone numbers of the national headquarters of the churches and organizations covered in the encyclopedia.

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

Death and immortality, sexual prowess and surrender, intimacy and alienation, rebellion and temptation. The allure of the vampire is eternal. The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead, 3rd edition, explores the historical, literary, mythological, biographical, and popular aspects of one of the world's most mesmerizing paranormal subject. This vast reference is an alphabetical tour of the psychosexual, macabre world of the soul-sucking undead.This exhaustive guide has more than 400 essays to quench your thirst for facts, biographies, definitions, and more.

In "Finding Enlightenment," J. Gordon Melton, a respected scholar of traditional modern religions, chronicles the life of JZ Knight, her extraordinary experiences as the channel for the ancient warrior teacher Ramtha, and the school whose teachings are based on the ancient wisdom of Gnosticism.
Located in Yelm, Washington, this esoteric mystery school was founded by Knight in 1988. Melton presents the Gnostic teachings of Ramtha and shows how the inner path of wisdom and knowledge is accessible to students today.

From sacred mountains and places of pilgrimage to visions and out-of-body travel, this reference explores unusual and unexplained physical events, apparitions, and other phenomena rooted in religious beliefs. Each entry features a balanced presentation and includes a description of the phenomenon, the religious claims surrounding the occurrence, and a scientific response. Touring the world and history, this comprehensive reference includes entries on angels, comets, Marian apparitions, and religious figures such as Jesus, Mohammad, and Lao Tzu.

L. Ron Hubbard--best-selling science fiction writer, former naval officer, and people's philosopher--did not initially intend to found a new religion. But neither did he object when followers organized a church based on his teachings. The resulting movement has attracted millions of adherents from around the globe.

Much of Scientology applies common sense solutions to life's perplexities. If a church should be judged according to its good works, then Scientology receives high marks for its addiction treatment, literacy, and civil rights programs. But there is more, including mysticism, mythology, some secrecy, and a healthy dose of what might be termed eccentricity. Some observers wonder how a church that promotes mental and emotional well being, which it does, can itself at times appear to be paranoid or dysfunctional? Dr. Melton explores these questions and the major aspects of the church's hierarchical structure and theology, showing, among other things, that the study of religion is seldom dull.

The Vampire in Folklore, History, Literature, Film and Television is the most comprehensive listing of writings about the vampire and related creatures covering material generated through the nineteenth and twentieth century to the present. The listings document the penetration of the vampire into all areas of Western society from scholarly discourse to popular culture, from politics to cook books. It especially reaches into to the mass market aspects of vampire life in television and the movies from Bela Lugosi's Dracula to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, True Blood, and the Twilight Saga. Beginning with vampire folklore, the volume covers historical writings, the vampire in literature, the cinema and television, and its widespread appearing in academic writings and its presence among true believers who want nothing more than to become a child of the night.

This monumental, four-volume reference overviews significant events and developments in religious history over the course of more than five millennia. Written for high school students, undergraduates, and general readers interested in the history of world religions, this massive reference chronicles developments in religious history from 3500 BCE through the 21st century. The set comprises four volumes, treating the ancient world from 3500 BCE through 499 CE, 500 through 1399, 1400 through 1849, and 1850 through 2009. Each volume includes hundreds of brief entries, arranged chronologically and then further organized by region and religion. The entries provide fundamental information on topics ranging from the neolithic Ggantija temples near Malta through the election of Mary Douglas Glasspool as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles in 2009. Global in scope and encyclopedic in breadth, this chronology of world religions is an essential purchase for all libraries concerned with the development of human civilization. Provides interesting sidebars to entries on such topics as monotheism and the problem of evil, the construction of the Egyptian pyramids, Mesoamerican mythology, the legacy of Charlemagne, the lives of various religious thinkers and leaders, the Hundred Years' War, the indigenous religions of South Africa, the Second Great Awakening, Potala Palace in Tibet, and many others Offers a sweeping chronological presentation of faith and religion over five millennia that enables readers to see the connections between historical events and the evolution of various belief systems Includes an extensive selection of photos that helps readers visualize many of the topics discussed in the text

Encyclopedia of Protestantism explores the movement that began in Europe in the 16th century, established itself in opposition to the Roman Catholic Church, spread around the world, and today lives on in thousands of individual denominations and parachurch organizations. This comprehensive reference to Protestantism covers its history, concepts, people, events, and major organizations worldwide. A special effort has been made to also include those parts of the world in which Protestantism did not take hold until the 19th century, such as Asia, Africa, and Oceania.The entries include: Amish; Biblical criticism; Black theology; The Fundamentals; Hermeneutics; International Pentecostal Holiness Church; Jehovah's Witnesses; Laying on of hands; Neo-Orthodoxy; Nineth-five Theses; Ordination of women; Oriental Mission Society; William Penn; Televangelism; and, Ulrich Zwingli.

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.

The evolution of religious diversity and complexity in the United States is explained clearly in this richly illustrated historical work. This volume provides an overview of the more than 400 native tribal religions at the time of Columbus, examines the major survivors, and discusses contemporary efforts to breathe new life into old faiths. The book charts the initial colonization and the arrival of religious pioneers and tells how religious groups in the post Revolutionary era struggled with their new dependence on voluntary member support. This easy to read, easy to understand reference work outlines the evolution, key developments, and seminal figures in this most tolerant of religious settings. American Religions: An Illustrated History is generously enhanced with more than 200 illustrations-many of them rare-and written in accessible language without scholarly jargon. Divided into eight concise chronological and thematic chapters Includes a comprehensive introduction and chapter bibliographies

Introducing the first authoritative guide to cover every aspect of religious broadcasting from its inception in 1921 to the present. "Prime Time Religion" contains over 430 entries chosen for their historical importance, national or international impact, exemplary nature, and longevity in the field of religious broadcasting. The book covers all religious groups who have turned to radio and television to promote their messages.

Encyclopedia of World Religions is a new series from ""Facts On File"" that explores the major religions of the world, emphasizing the living faiths and their historical and social background. Each volume was written by an expert in the field, and reviewed and approved by series editor, J. Gordon Melton. Ideal for high school and junior college students, these authoritative references are accessible enough to be of use to the general reader as well as the serious scholar. Each volume includes approximately 600 A-to-Z entries that provide easy access to the theological concepts, personalities, historical events, institutions, and movements that helped shape the history of each religion and the way it is practiced today. Fascinating introductions by each author place the religion in context, and further readings, a bibliography, an index, and approximately 80 black-and-white photographs complete these invaluable resources.