
Wearing Their Faith
New Religious Movements, Dress, and Fashion in America
Lynn S. Neal(Author)
Cambridge University Press
Published on 13. February 2025
Book
Hardback
92 pages
978-1-009-61905-9 (ISBN)
Description
New Religious Movements (NRMs) have a long, interconnected history with distinct forms of dress and clothing. However, research on NRMs has not focused sufficiently on the clothing and material culture of these groups. In response, this Element examines the central role that dress plays in the creation of charismatic leaders and the formation of faithful followers. Through a variety of case studies - ranging from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to Father Divine, from the Children of God to the Nation of Islam - we see how dress and fashion practices provide people with a powerful way to live and wear their faith. In addition, the fashion industry takes note and incorporates ideas about cults and clothing into their trends and styles. In doing so, it fuels the cult stereotype and fosters normative understandings of what constitutes good religion.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
297 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-009-61905-9 (9781009619059)
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Book
02/2025
Cambridge University Press
€26.80
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Content
Introduction; 1. Clothing and the creation of the cult leader; 2. Dress and the devotion of NRM followers; 3. Fashion and the maintenance of the cult stereotype; 4. Concluding thoughts; References.