Children in New Religious Movements [transcript]

Children in New Religious Movements Podcast with Susan Palmer (4 December 2017). Interviewed by David Robertson Transcribed by Helen Bradstock. Transcript available at: Palmer_-Children_in_New_Religious_Movements_1.1 DR: I’m here in Bedford. It’s a beautiful sunny afternoon at the last day of the CenSAMM conference on Millenarianism and violence. I’m happy to be speaking today with Susan Palmer, […]

New Religious Movements

No, they’re not cults, as we learn straightaway from Eileen Barker in this playlist’s first selection. Learn how religious studies scholars talk about new religious movements and some of the challenges of studying emerging groups in these episodes hand-picked by RSP co-founder David G. Robertson.

Atheism, New Religious Movements and Cultural Tension [transcript]

Atheism, New Religious Movements and Cultural Tension Podcast with Chris Silver (8 April 2019). Interviewed by Kris Black. Transcribed by Helen Bradstock. Audio and transcript available at: Silver_-_Atheism,_New_Religious_Movements_and_Cultural_Tension_1.1 Kris Black (KB): How many kinds of atheism are there? Are there different kinds of atheists, different kinds of atheism, and what’s the deal between new religious […]

Atheism, New Religious Movements, and Cultural Tension

Extensive research has been conducted in exploration of the American religious landscape; however, only recently has social science research started to explore nonbelief in any detail. Research on nonbelief has been limited as most research focuses on the popularity of the religious “nones” or the complexities of alternative faith expressions such as spirituality. Through two studies, one qualitative and one quantitative, Dr. Christopher F. Silver’s research explored how nonbelievers’ self-identify.

Children in New Religious Movements

In the complex and sometimes fraught relationship between New Religious Movements and the wider culture and state, why is it that children are so often a focus? Children are seen as needing special protection and therefore legitimising dramatic state intervention, but are also seen as of particular importance to the future of these movements, and in some more millennial groups, of the world itself.

“Insider Knowledge”: Seeing the Bigger Picture with New Religious Movements

In his interview with the RSP, George Chryssides considers a prominent methodological challenge for scholars of New Religious Movements (NRMs) – how to approach the narratives of former members of NRMs in an academic context.

Ex-member narratives can cover a variety of issues relating to NRMs, ranging from reasons why certain members joined and left the movement, to intricate details involving esoteric practices that are unknown to outsiders.

New Religious Movements and Contemporary Discourses About Religion

Increased attention to religion by international governments and NGOs has not necessarily resulted in less problematic models of religion being used by these governments and groups.
As I listened to Susan Palmer’s RSP interview and read about her new co-authored book (with Stuart A. Wright) Storming Zion: Government Raids on Religious Communities (2015), I was reminded why NRMs make such useful case studies in the religious studies classroom. From a pedagogical perspective, …

Who joins New Religious Movements?

In this episode of the Religious Studies Project, Lewis shares some of his views on the study of NRMs. It seems, claims Lewis, that our current generalizations about who joins such movements is based on outdated statistics. It seems no longer to be the case that it is primarily young people who join NMRs, rather joiners’ age has increased during recent decades.

Religious Symbols, Secularism, and Culture Wars [transcript]

Religious Symbols, Secularism, and Culture Wars Podcast with Matt Sheedy (15 November 2021). Interviewed by Andie Alexander Transcribed by Andie Alexander Audio and transcript available at: https://www.religiousstudiesproject.com/podcast/religious-symbols-secularism-and-culture-wars/religous-symbols-secularism-and-culture-wars/ KEYWORDS Secularism, Gender, Atheism, Critical Theory, Discourse, Culture Wars Andie Alexander (AA)  1:40 Hello, and welcome back listeners. I am Andie Alexander and joining me here today is […]

Religious Studies Opportunities Digest – 29 September 2021

Welcome to the Religious Studies Opportunities Digest! This week, you will find three jobs, one conference call for papers, one fellowship, and one journal call for papers. A gracious thank you to all of you that have has generously supported the RSP through our Patreon and PayPal donation options! Our goal is to have 100 […]

History Repeated: Religious Conspiracy Theories Then and Now

In this episode, Maxinne Connolly-Panagopoulus explores a range of Dr. Carmen Celestini’s work on conspiracy theories, Christian apocalyptic thought and its impacts on political systems in America. They discuss early antimasonic movements, white supremacists from Christian Identity Organisation and discuss the parallels between old and new conspiracy thought and try to understand what is driving people to these movements.

History Repeated: Religious Conspiracy Theories Then and Now [transcript]

History Repeated: Religious Conspiracy Theories Then and Now Podcast with Carmen Celestini (20 September 2021). Interviewed by Maxinne Connolly-Panagopoulos Transcribed by Andie Alexander Audio and transcript available at: https://www.religiousstudiesproject.com/podcast/history-repeated-religious-conspiracy-theories-then-and-now/ KEYWORDS Conspiracy Theories, John Birch Society, Turner Diaries, Religion, New World Order Maxinne Connolly-Panagopoulus (MCP) 3:16  Hi, I’m Dr. Maxinne Connolly-Panagopoulus. And today I’m joined by […]

Religious Studies Opportunities Digest – 23 March 2021

Welcome to another week of the Religious Studies Opportunities Digest! In this edition, you will find one conference call for papers, two events, one publication, and two fellowship opportunities. Our deepest thanks to everyone who has already supported the RSP through our Patreon and PayPal donation options. Our goal is to reach 100 patrons (currently […]

Climate Change(s): New Approaches to Environmental and Agricultural Ethics [transcript]

Climate Change(s): New Approaches to Environmental and Agricultural Ethics Podcast with Gretel Van Wieren 12 Oct. 2020. Interviewed by Candace Mixon Transcribed by Savannah H. Finver Audio and transcript available at: https://www.religiousstudiesproject.com/podcast/climate-changes-new-approaches-to-environmental-and-agricultural-ethics/ Candace Mixon (CM)  0:09  Alright listeners, I am here today with Dr. Gretel Van Wieren. She is an accomplished scholar, and she’s currently […]

Decolonizing Religious Studies and Its Layers of Complicity [transcript]

Decolonizing Religious Studies and Its Layers of Complicity Podcast with Natalie Avalos (17 August 2019). Interviewed by David McConeghy Transcribed by David McConeghy Audio and transcript available at: https://www.religiousstudiesproject.com/podcast/decolonizing-religious-studies-and-its-layers-of-complicity/ KEYWORDS decolonization, indigenous studies, Native American Studies, power,  David McConeghy (DM)  00:00 My name is David McConeghy and I’m delighted to be with Dr. Natalie Avalos […]