'Cult' Rhetoric in the 21st Century
Deconstructing the Study of New Religious Movements
Published on 22. January 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-1-350-33325-3 (ISBN)
Description
Examining contemporary understandings of the term 'cult', this book brings together scholars from multiple disciplines, including sociology, anthropology and religious studies. Focusing on how 'cult rhetoric' affects our perceptions of new religious movements, the contributors explore how these minority groups have developed and deconstruct the language we use to describe them.
Ranging from the 'Cult of Trump' and 'Cult of COVID', to the campaigns of mass media, this book recognises that contemporary 'cult rhetoric' has become hybridised and suggests a more nuanced study of contemporary religion. Topics include online religions, political 'cults', 'apostate' testimony and the current 'othered' position of the study of minority religions.
Ranging from the 'Cult of Trump' and 'Cult of COVID', to the campaigns of mass media, this book recognises that contemporary 'cult rhetoric' has become hybridised and suggests a more nuanced study of contemporary religion. Topics include online religions, political 'cults', 'apostate' testimony and the current 'othered' position of the study of minority religions.
Reviews / Votes
This is an important book because it charts a middle way between scholars of New Religious Movements (NRMs), 'Cultic Studies' scholars and ex-members of NRMs ... It establishes a course for a more inclusive and empathetic study of NRMs. * Carole M. Cusack, The University of Sydney, Australia * Part critical history, part call to action, 'Cult' Rhetoric is a must-read for scholars wishing to move the study of minority religions forward in the twenty-first century. Providing a range of perspectives, its contributors analyse the many ways that scholars - as well as government officials, law enforcement agents, psychologists, the media, and others - shape popular understanding of cults. * Rebecca Moore, San Diego State University, USA * ['Cult' Rhetoric in the 21st Century] would be of interest to students and scholars of new religious movements and other groups focused on authoritarian leaders. * CHOICE * This anthology is helpful for understanding how this language is used with new religious movements to provide an antidote to biased approaches. It will be helpful for studying religion and culture, especially new and minority religions, that are frequently misunderstood. * Nova Religio *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
398 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-33325-3 (9781350333253)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Aled Thomas | Edward Graham-Hyde
'Cult' Rhetoric in the 21st Century
Deconstructing the Study of New Religious Movements
E-Book
06/2024
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€31.99
Available for download
Aled Thomas | Edward Graham-Hyde
'Cult' Rhetoric in the 21st Century
Deconstructing the Study of New Religious Movements
E-Book
06/2024
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€31.99
Available for download
Persons
Aled Thomas is a Teaching Fellow in the Study of Religion at the University of Leeds, UK. He is the author of Free Zone Scientology: Contesting the Boundaries of a New Religion (Bloomsbury, 2021).
Edward Graham-Hyde is an Associate Lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire, UK and Treasurer of the Information Network Focus on Religious Movements (Inform).
Edward Graham-Hyde is an Associate Lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire, UK and Treasurer of the Information Network Focus on Religious Movements (Inform).
Content
Foreword: Introduction to the 'Religion at the Boundaries' Series - Suzanne Newcombe (Inform and the Open University, UK) and Sarah Harvey (Inform)
Part I: Approaches to 'Cult' Rhetoric
Chapter 1: 'Cult' Rhetoric in the 21st Century: The Disconnect Between Popular Discourse and the Ivory Tower, Aled Thomas (University of Leeds, UK) and Edward Graham-Hyde (University of Central Lancashire, UK)
Chapter 2: Balancing Pragmatism and Precision: Inform's Approach to Cult Rhetoric, Suzanne Newcombe (Inform and the Open University, UK) and Sarah Harvey (Inform)
Chapter 3: A History of Anti-Cult Rhetoric, George D. Chryssides (York St John University, UK)
Chapter 4: The Paradigm Shift from Sacred to Profane, William Sims Bainbridge (Independent Scholar)
Chapter 5: The Dangerous Cult Exercise: Popular Culture and the Ongoing Construction of the New Religious Threat, Douglas E. Cowan (University of Waterloo, USA)
Chapter 6: The Recognition of Cults, Roderick P. Dubrow-Marshall (University of Salford, UK)
Part II: Contemporary 'Cultic' Issues
Chapter 7: The Light of the World: La Luz del Mundo, Liminality, and NRM Studies, Donald A. Westbrook (San Jose State University, USA)
Chapter 8: Cults of Conspiracy and the (On-Going) Satanic Panic, Bethan Juliet Oake (University of Leeds, UK)
Chapter 9: 'There is no QAnon': Cult Accusations in Contemporary American Political and Online Discourse, Susannah Crockford (University of Exeter, UK)
Chapter 10: Playing at Religion: Understanding Contemporary Spiritual Experiences in Popular Culture, Vivian Asimos (Independent Scholar)
Chapter 11: Attempting to Educate Journalists about the Role of Cult Essentialism in the Branch Davidian-Federal Agents Conflict, Catherine Wessinger (Loyola University New Orleans, USA)
Afterword: Critical Reflections and Conclusions, W. Michael Ashcraft (Truman State University, USA)
Bibliography
Index
Part I: Approaches to 'Cult' Rhetoric
Chapter 1: 'Cult' Rhetoric in the 21st Century: The Disconnect Between Popular Discourse and the Ivory Tower, Aled Thomas (University of Leeds, UK) and Edward Graham-Hyde (University of Central Lancashire, UK)
Chapter 2: Balancing Pragmatism and Precision: Inform's Approach to Cult Rhetoric, Suzanne Newcombe (Inform and the Open University, UK) and Sarah Harvey (Inform)
Chapter 3: A History of Anti-Cult Rhetoric, George D. Chryssides (York St John University, UK)
Chapter 4: The Paradigm Shift from Sacred to Profane, William Sims Bainbridge (Independent Scholar)
Chapter 5: The Dangerous Cult Exercise: Popular Culture and the Ongoing Construction of the New Religious Threat, Douglas E. Cowan (University of Waterloo, USA)
Chapter 6: The Recognition of Cults, Roderick P. Dubrow-Marshall (University of Salford, UK)
Part II: Contemporary 'Cultic' Issues
Chapter 7: The Light of the World: La Luz del Mundo, Liminality, and NRM Studies, Donald A. Westbrook (San Jose State University, USA)
Chapter 8: Cults of Conspiracy and the (On-Going) Satanic Panic, Bethan Juliet Oake (University of Leeds, UK)
Chapter 9: 'There is no QAnon': Cult Accusations in Contemporary American Political and Online Discourse, Susannah Crockford (University of Exeter, UK)
Chapter 10: Playing at Religion: Understanding Contemporary Spiritual Experiences in Popular Culture, Vivian Asimos (Independent Scholar)
Chapter 11: Attempting to Educate Journalists about the Role of Cult Essentialism in the Branch Davidian-Federal Agents Conflict, Catherine Wessinger (Loyola University New Orleans, USA)
Afterword: Critical Reflections and Conclusions, W. Michael Ashcraft (Truman State University, USA)
Bibliography
Index