{"title":"Douglas E. Cowan","description":"\u003cp\u003eDouglas E. Cowan offers insightful explorations into the complex world of religion and spirituality, with a particular focus on contemporary movements and new religious phenomena. His works delve into the dynamics of cults and alternative faiths, providing thoughtful analysis that challenges readers to consider the social and cultural impacts of these groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders of Cowan will find a balanced and scholarly approach to topics often shrouded in controversy and misunderstanding. His writing encourages critical reflection on belief systems and the evolving landscape of modern spirituality, making his books essential for those interested in religion's role in society.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"cults-and-new-religions-by-douglas-e-cowan-9781118722107","title":"Cults and New Religions","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis unparalleled introduction to cults and new religious movements has been completely updated and expanded to reflect the latest developments. Each chapter reviews the origins, leaders, beliefs, rituals, and practices of a new religious movement (NRM), highlighting the specific controversies surrounding each group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCults and New Religions\u003c\/em\u003e is a fully updated, revised, and expanded edition of an unparalleled introduction to cults and new religious movements. It profiles a number of the most visible, significant, and controversial new religious movements, presenting each group’s history, doctrines, rituals, leadership, and organization.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, the book offers a discussion of the major controversies in which new religious movements have been involved, using each profiled group to illustrate the nature of one of those controversies. It covers debates including what constitutes an authentic religion, the validity of claims of brainwashing techniques, the implications of experimentation with unconventional sexual practices, and the deeply rooted cultural fears that cults engender.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNew sections in this edition include methods of studying new religions in each chapter, as well as presentations on ‘groups to watch’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47596074172652,"sku":"9781118722107","price":118.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/fc349e7ac04e2642654df0f06a7af610.jpg?v=1777931458"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/douglas-e-cowan.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}