Understanding new religious movements /

Saliba (religious studies, Univ. of Detroit, Mercy) is a recent participant in a three-year Vatican study of new religious movements (NRMs). Despite his formal religious affiliations, his latest work is blessedly devoid of any doctrinal bias. Rather, it is a profound theological, historical, social, and legal analysis of new religious movements (a term Saliba prefers to cults, sects, etc.), beginning with the 11th-century Cathars (violently exterminated in the very first intra-Christian/governmental crusade) and concluding with the 20th-century Branch Davidians. Unlike many cult studies, his work does not limit its purview to Christian "heresies"; for example, Saliba devotes substantial attention to the Shabbatei Zevi Messianic movement within 17th-century Judaism. This is a thoroughly researched, well-constructed, unusually balanced, and scrupulously documented masterpiece. Were it not for its high intellectual level, it would belong on the shelves of every library. Given that level, however, it is recommended for purchase by academic libraries.‘Bill Piekarski, Southwestern Coll. Lib., Chula Vista, Cal. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.