The Order of the Solar Temple: The Temple of Death (Controversial New Religions) (Controversial New Religions) (Controversial New Religions)

In October 1994, fifty-three members of the Order of the Solar Temple in Switzerland and Québec were murdered or committed suicide. This incident and two later group suicides in subsequent years played a pivotal role in inflaming the cult controversy in Europe, influencing the public to support harsher actions against non-traditional religions. Despite the importance of the Order of the Solar Temple, there are relatively few studies published in English. This book brings together the best scholarship on the Solar Temple including newly commissioned pieces from leading scholars, a selection of Solar Temple documents, and important previously published articles newly edited for inclusion within this book. This is the first book-length study of the Order of the Solar Temple to be published in English. Despite The Importance Of The Order Of The Solar Temple, There Are Relatively Few Studies Published In English. This Book Brings Together The Best Scholarship On The Solar Temple Including Newly Commissioned Pieces From Leading Scholars, A Selection Of Solar Temple Documents, And Important Previously Published Articles Newly Edited For Inclusion Within This Book. This Is The First Book-length Study Of The Order Of The Solar Temple To Be Published In English.--book Jacket. Templars For The Age Of Aquarius / Jean-françois Mayer -- Ordeal By Fire / Massimo Introvigne -- Purity And Danger In The Solar Temple / Susan J. Palmer -- The Mystical Apocalypse Of The Solar Temple / John R. Hall And Philip Schuyler -- The Dangers Of Enlightenment / Jean-françois Mayer -- Crises Of Charismatic Authority And Millenarian Violence / John Walliss -- Sources Of Doctrine In The Solar Temple / George D. Chryssides -- Death As Initiation / Henrik Bogdan -- The Ordre Du Temple Solaire And The Quest For The Absolute Sun / Marc Labelle -- Sects, Media And The End Of The World / Roland J. Campiche. Edited By James R. Lewis. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [209]-216) And Index. Contents: Introduction Templars for the age of Aquarius: the archedia clubs (1984-1991) and the international chivalric order of the solar tradition, Jean-FranAois Mayer 'Ordeal by fire': the tragedy of the Solar Temple, Massimo Introvigne Purity and danger in the Solar Temple, Susan J. Palmer The mystical apocalypse of the Solar Temple, John R. Hall and Philip Schuyler The dangers of enlightenment: apocalyptic hopes and anxieties in the Order of the Solar Temple, Jean-FranAois Mayer Crises of charismatic authority and millenarian violence: the case of the Order of the Solar Temple, John Walliss Sources of doctrine in the Solar Temple, George D. Chryssides Death as initiation: Order of the Solar Temple and rituals of initiation, Henrik Bogdan The Order du Temple Solaire and the quest for the absolute sun, Marc LaBelle Sects, media and the end of the world, Roland J. Campiche Appendices Bibliography Index. This new series on New Religious Movements focuses particularly on controversial new religions. The popularity and significance of the New Religious Movements field is reflected in the explosion of related books and articles now being published. This Ashgate series of anthologies will offer a valuable resource and lasting contribution to the field. Brings together the best scholarship on the Solar Temple, including the selection of Solar Temple documents. This work is a book-length study of the Order of the Solar Temple. In October 1994, 53 members of the Order of the Solar Temple (l'Ordre du Temple Solaire, or OTS) in Switzerland and Quebec, Canada, were murdered or committed suicide.

In October 1994, fifty-three members of the Order of the Solar Temple in Switzerland and Qu