New Religions and the Theological Imagination in America (Religion in North America)

"Bednarowski is especially good at elucidating the theological daring of these new American religions.... [She] demonstrates in a very few pages how... theology and group adherence made the individual count, a configuration simultaneously American, un-American, and important." — Jon Butler "The cultural confrontation with these 'new religions' is very real and usually very misinformed. Bednarowski has gone to great lengths to dispel the ignorance." — The Christian Century "A groundbreaking study." — Syzygy: Journal of Alternative Religion and Culture Organized as a series of theological conversations about ultimate questions, this book offers a guide to the answers these six religions offer. Drawing heavily on sources from the movements themselves, it presents a balanced comparative account of the emerging theological systems of America's new religions. Booknews Drucker, known for his analyses of politics, economics and society, and one of the founders of the science of management, here examines the central issues, trends and developments of the coming decades. He analyzes the new limits and functions of government, the transnational economy and ecology, the paradoxes of development, the postbusiness society, information-based organizations, management as a social function, and the shifting base of knowledge. The concluding chapter develops a new world view, one based on a transition from analysis to perception as a mode of human understanding. Examines new answers to old questions. Relates the views of Mormonism, Christian Science, Theosophy, Scientology, the Unification Church, and New Age thought on divinity, human nature, death and afterlife, and ethics and morals. A serious study free of bias. Good annotated bibliography. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) This Book Is An Introduction To The Theological Systems Of Six New Religions--mormonism, Christian Science, Theosophy, The Unification Church, Scientology, And The New Age Movement. Organized As A Series Of Theological Conversations About Ultimate Questions, It Offers A Guide To The Answers These Religions Offer. Drawing Heavily On Sources From The Movements Themselves, The Book Presents A Balanced Comparative Account Of Their Emerging Theological Systems--back Cover. Introduction: New Religions And The Theological Imagination -- Who Or What Is God Like? Concepts Of Deity In The New Religions -- What Does It Mean To Be Human? Views Of Human Nature In The New Religions -- The Dead Learn Forever: Death And Afterlife In The New Religions -- How Shall We Live Our Lives? Ethical Reflection And Moral Issues In The New Religions -- Epilogue: Broadening The Conversation. Mary Farrell Bednarowski. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [164]-170) And Index.

"Bednarowski is especially good at elucidating the theological daring of
these new American religions.... [She] demonstrates in a very few pages how...
theology and group adherence made the individual count, a configuration
simultaneously American, un-American, and important." -- Jon
Butler

"The cultural confrontation with these 'new religions'
is very real and usually very misinformed. Bednarowski has gone to great lengths to
dispel the ignorance." -- The Christian Century

"A groundbreaking
study." -- Syzygy: Journal of Alternative Religion and
Culture

Organized as a series of theological conversations about
ultimate questions, this book offers a guide to the answers these six religions
offer. Drawing heavily on sources from the movements themselves, it presents a
balanced comparative account of the emerging theological systems of America's new
religions.

Frontmatter FOREWORD (page vii) PREFACE (page ix) ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (page XIV) One Introduction: New Religions and the Theological Imagination (page 1) Two Who or What Is God Like? Concepts of Deity in the New Religions (page 19) Three What Does It Mean to Be Human? Views of Human Nature in the New Religions (page 45) Four The Dead Learn Forever: Death and Afterlife in the New Religions (page 75) Five How Shall We Live Our Lives? Ethical Reflections and Moral Issues in the New Religions (page 98) Six Epilogue: Broadening the Conversation (page 127) NOTES (page 141) ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY (page 164) INDEX (page 171) Provides an introduction to the theological systems of six "new" religions - Mormonism, Christian Science, Theosophy, the Unification Church, Scientology, and the New Age Movement. It presents an account of the theological systems of America's religions.