CONTEMPORARY CULTS AND RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS
IN NORTH AMERICA

LECTURE TOPICS

SECTION I: INTRODUCTORY TOPICS

*Introduction to the Study of New Religious Movement

*Characteristics of New Religious Movement

Methods in the Study of New Religious Movements


SECTION II: THE EMERGENCE OF NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

*Cultural and Social Context

*Types of Religious Group Organization

Dominant Tradition Religious Groups

SECTION III: SECTARIAN RELIGIOUS TRADITION MOVEMENTS

*Trucker Churches

*Cowboy Churches

*Metropolitan Community Church

Marian Apparition at Clearwater

*Calvary Chapel

*Marian Apparition at Conyers

*The Twelve Tribes

*The Family International

*Set Free Ministries

SECTION IV: ALTERNATIVE RELIGIOUS TRADITION MOVEMENTS

*Buddhism and the American Context

*Buddhism in America Timeline

*Washington Buddhist Vihara

*Insight Meditation Society

*San Francisco Zen Center

*Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Center

*Fire Walking

*Ramtha School of Enlightenment

*San Francisco Zen Center

*Erhard Seminar Training

*Raelians


SECTION V: EMERGENT RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

*Westboro Baptist Church

*The Covenant, the Sword and the Arm of the Lord

*The Church of the Lamb of God