'Cult' Rhetoric in the 21st Century - Deconstructing the Study of New Religious Movements

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.

Product details

• Authors: Edward Graham-Hyde, Aled Thomas
• Assisted by: Edward Graham-Hyde (Editor), Sarah Harvey (Editor), Suzanne Newcombe (Editor), Aled Thomas (Editor)
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Release: 01.06.2026
• EAN: 9781350333253
• ISBN: 978-1-350-33325-3
• No. of pages: 272
• Series: Religion at the Boundaries
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Christianity; SOCIAL SCIENCE / Popular Culture, RELIGION / General, RELIGION / Cults, Religion: general, 21st century, c 2000 to c 2100, Alternative belief systems, Religious issues & debates, Contemporary non-Christian & para-Christian cults & sects