Cults, Sects, and New Religions

Book excerpt: "Recently, cults have been a source of fascination, with various TV shows, movies, and books portraying them in lurid detail. However, cults have existed since ancient history, and many new religious movements have proven to be harmless. What distinguishes a cult from a sect, and how do these new religious movements become accepted? What strategies are in place to prevent dangerous cults from forming, and how do these cults recruit members to begin with? Should cults and sects be granted the right to religious freedom? This volume explores the history of unorthodox religious groups and the debates surrounding them"--