Download or read book New Religious Movements and Rapid Social Change written by James A. Beckford and published by SAGE. This book was released on 1986-11-01 with total page 268 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The book shows how rapid social change gives rise to novel religious interpretations and how new religious movements, in turn, try to influence the process of change. This analysis is illustrated by studies of the advanced societies of North America and Europe, of Japan during the first phase of industrialization, and of countries and regions in the developing world. New religious movements are revealed as a normal aspect of social life and as critical indicators of social change. This is reflected in each movement's social composition, teachings, values, religious practices and organizational structures as well as their engagement in politics, business and their structuring of social relationships."--Publisher's description.