Routledge - Challenging Religion: Essays in Honour of Eileen Barker

Explore the shifting landscape of religious studies with Challenging Religion: Essays in Honour of Eileen Barker. Published by Routledge, this academic collection addresses the rapid rise of new religious movements and cults across the US and Europe over the last fifty years. As these groups grow, they face increasing scrutiny from state authorities. This book examines the tension between the democratic right to religious freedom and the state's attempts to monitor and control these movements. It also explores the growing concerns regarding the protection of religious consumers in a changing world. This volume brings together leading sociologists of religion from the UK, US, and both Western and Eastern Europe. The contributors debate the political, practical, and ethical issues stemming from these social changes. It is an essential resource for students and professionals interested in the sociology of religion, law, and political science.