Encyclopedic Handbook of Cults in America

Melton, J. Gordon. Encyclopedic Handbook of Cults in America. New York: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1992.

Melton treats the term ‘cult’ as a popular label given alternative religions and seeks to summarize the present (1992) knowledge of them. Because of the nature of controversies concerning these religions, he addresses both the controversial subjects and the false stereotypes associated with them. Christian Science is one of the ‘established cults’ selected for his study because of its substantial size, the presence of continuing controversy, and the fact that evangelical Christian counter-cult ministries oppose it for deviating from orthodox Christianity. Melton’s thorough research corrects the usually mischaracterized relationship between Mary Baker Eddy and Phineas P. Quimby—a mental healer and teacher. “She quickly saw the conflict between the newly discovered Truth and some of Quimby’s ideas and further study led her to abandon Quimby’s mental and magnetic teachings altogether” (30). But when Arens (one of her former students) was charged with plagiarizing her writings, Arens and other Quimby students counter-attacked Eddy as a plagiarist of Quimby’s ideas. Although the case was proven false, the sentiments continue to distort public perceptions. Melton then addresses the more challenging controversy, the practice of spiritual healing without medicine. And although Christian Science uses Christian language, the charges of heresy from orthodox Christian churches stem from Eddy’s redefining of basic theological terms.

ISBN-10: 0815311400
ISBN-13 (Softcover): 978-0815311409
ISBN-13 (Hardcover): 978-1138432284