The Church of Scientology has been involved in battles over tax issues, a ten-year battle with the Food and Drug Administration regarding the Electro-meters used in the Church's counseling activities, and extended conflicts with the Australian and German governments. In this book, a group of well-known scholars of New Religious Movements offers an extensive and evenhanded overview and analysis of all of these aspects of Scientology, including the controversies to which it continues to give rise.

About the Author
James R. Lewis is an extensively-published scholar of new religious movements. He currently teaches in the University of Wisconsin system. His reference books have won New York Public Library, American Library Association, and Choice book awards. He has been interviewed by the LA Times, the NY Times, NPR, the BBC, and Meet the Press.

Reviews
The Church of Scientology has often been viewed from the narrow perspective of legitimacy: Is it a true religion or merely a (destructive) cult? Here is a book, consisting of 22 articles by 27 authors, that views Scientology from the broader perspectives of culture, religion, and philosophy. The outcome is a sober and balanced presentation of this most controversial contemporary religion in the Western world that no doubt will be appreciated by fair-minded and inquisitive readers. A truly outstanding collection of essays for all students of religion, beginning or advanced. * James A. Santucci, Professor and Chair of Comparative Religion, California State University, Fullerton *



Book Information
ISBN 9780195331493
Author James R. Lewis
Format Hardback
Page Count 464
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 771g
Dimensions(mm) 236mm * 165mm * 36mm