{"product_id":"revisionism-and-diversification-in-new-religious-movements-scholarly","title":"Revisionism and Diversification in New Religious Movements - Scholarly","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Revisionism and Diversification in New Religious Movements, the bottom line is clear: this book is best for scholars, graduate students and practitioners who need a focused analysis of how doctrinal claims and practices change as movements evolve. Eileen Barker presents a careful, evidence-oriented examination of why and how certain orthodoxies are revised or abandoned, and the review highlights the book's usefulness for understanding schism, adaptation and risks of anti-social behaviour without resorting to sensationalism.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocused case studies:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book examines concrete instances where doctrinal statements and practices were revised, giving readers specific examples to compare and contrast.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheoretical framing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Barker situates observed changes within broader sociological and religious-studies frameworks to explain why revisionism occurs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAttention to outcomes:\u003c\/strong\u003e The text discusses how revision or selective adoption can lead to schism or the gradual decline of a movement, helping readers trace long-term trajectories.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConcern for risk factors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Special attention is given to processes that might lead to violent or anti-social behaviour, which is useful for risk assessment and policy discussion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClear prose for specialists:\u003c\/strong\u003e Writing is geared toward an academic audience, making complex processes accessible to readers familiar with religious studies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eScholars of religion, postgraduate students and those involved in religious-policy work will find this book most valuable because it combines empirical examples with conceptual analysis. It is also helpful to sociologists and anthropologists interested in the lifecycle of movements and the mechanisms that produce divergence and schism.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReaders looking for an introductory overview of world religions or a devotional guide should look elsewhere; this volume is analytical rather than introductory and assumes some familiarity with academic discussion in \u003cstrong\u003enew religious movements\u003c\/strong\u003e and minority religion studies.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides precise case-oriented discussion that helps illuminate patterns of doctrinal change.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBalances theory and empirical material so readers can apply concepts to other movements.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAddresses potentially harmful outcomes, aiding scholars and practitioners concerned with risk.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eThe academic tone and depth of analysis may be dense for general readers or newcomers to the field.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRevisionism and Diversification in New Religious Movements\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRoutledge Inform Series on Minority Religions and Spiritual Movements\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEileen Barker\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDevelopment, revision, schism and decline in new religious movements\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKey themes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDoctrinal change, selective adoption, schism, risk of anti-social behaviour\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScholars, postgraduate students, religious-policy practitioners\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis volume is a worthwhile investment for academics and practitioners who need a rigorous account of how new religious movements change over time. Its combination of specific examples and theoretical framing makes it good value for research and teaching, though the academic style may not suit casual readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book address violent outcomes in movements?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Barker specifically considers processes that could lead to violent or anti-social behaviour and the conditions that increase such risks.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs prior knowledge required to follow the book?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book is written for an academic audience and assumes familiarity with concepts in religious studies and sociology.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this part of a series?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It appears in the Routledge Inform Series on Minority Religions and Spiritual Movements.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Eileen Barker","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48188021113051,"sku":"1409462293","price":210.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51LiufbA0zL._SL1360.jpg?v=1769443097","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/revisionism-and-diversification-in-new-religious-movements-scholarly","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}