Overview
Apocalypse Observed is about religious violence. By analyzing five of the most notorious cults of recent years, the authors present a fascinating and revealing account of religious sects and conflict. Cults covered include: the apocalypse at Jonestown the Branch Davidians at Waco the violent path of Aum Shinrikyo the mystical apocalypse of the Solar Temple the mass suicide of Heaven's Gate. Through comparative case studies and in-depth analysis, the authors show how religious violence can erupt not simply from the beliefs of the cult followers or the personalities of their leaders, but also from the way in which society responds to the cults in its midst.
Full Product Details
Author: John R. Hall ,
Philip D. Schuyler ,
Sylvaine Trinh ,
Sylvaine Trinh (both of University of Maryland, USA)
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint: Routledge
Dimensions:
Width: 15.60cm
, Height: 1.70cm
, Length: 23.40cm
Weight: 0.566kg
ISBN: 9780415192767
ISBN 10: 0415192765
Pages: 244
Publication Date: 03 January 2000
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
This book is a remarkable step toward understanding and explaining religious violence.. <br>-The Journal of Religion <br> [The book's] strength is an analysis of two types of groups and their interaction with their larger societies: first, those whose violence is the 'outcome of escalating conflict between. . . a religious sect organized internally on the basis of apocalyptic ideas that yield a high degree of solidarity'. . .and second, those following a 'mystical Apocalypse of deathly transcendence.'. <br>- Choice, October 2000 <br> Hall's detailed analyses of these tragic cases are carefully documented and highly instructive, a valuable part of this volume and worthy of close examination. <br>-Stephan Stein, Religious Studies Review, April 2002 <br>
'Required reading for anyone perplexed by the persistence of millenarian thought' - Michael F. Brown, Williams College<br><br>'This book takes an original and challenging view of a number of extremely controversial new religious movements.' - Journal of Contemporary Religion
'Required reading for anyone perplexed by the persistence of millenarian thought' - Michael F. Brown, Williams College 'This book takes an original and challenging view of a number of extremely controversial new religious movements.' - Journal of Contemporary Religion
Author Information
Hall, John R.; Schuyler, Philip D.; Trinh, Sylvaine
