Communities of Dissent: A History of Alternative Religions in America

I bought this book several years ago, and have discovered I use it as a go-to book to help explain to others how to deal with their reactions to 'others.' I don't think Stein intended this succinct book to serve as a comprehensive study on NRMs, but to focus on a basic concept that is essential for understanding them. Very glad to have this well-written presentation on such an important subject in this history of American religions.

I chose this book for a freshman class that I teach in American religion. The book is an intelligent and colorful history of the forces shaping the creative periphery of American religious life. Though short, it manages to tease out many of the key elements that connect religion to the larger American culture.

Great quality and interesting read

This book was a joy to read. I recommend it to anyone who wants a brief history of alternative religions/cults in America. The author does a great job of giving the reader a feel for the orgins, ideas, and impact of many different religions.Now what this book does not do is provide an indepth look at religions. All religions are covered in brief.The one glaring flaw of this book is that the author sees virtually all religions and cults through rose colored glasses. He does a great job of showing the positive aspects of various religions/cults but ignores the down side.An additional book I recommend is THE NEW BELIEVERS by David V. Barrett. It provides a more contemporary account of America's and Britian's alternative religions and cults. It tends to focus more on the beliefs and practices of various religious movements rather than their history.

The book mentions and breifly describes many alternative religions or new religious movements (NRMs) that started in the United States, from the colonial period through modern times.For my taste, too much time is spent providing many examples, just to support the few main points the author is trying to make. I would like more depth. There just wasn't enough information about any of the NRMs. And the author sounds like he wants us to respect, honor and love them all as if they were each beloved children. Hogwash. He is right to try to provide understanding, and show that there is no reason to hate these NRMs or anyone involved in them. But he just goes farther than I think he should, and farther than anyone should. After all, some of these NRMs have proven to be downright tragic, if not evil. And personally, I extend that all religions, old and new, big and small, aminstream and alternative.Also, he almost completely ignores one of the biggest NRMs ever - the Mormons. Why? Were they too successful? Or are they now too mainstream, even though they still cling to modern prophets like NASCAR fans to Dale Jr.But if you want an easy to read pamplet that will give you some idea of the number and basic characteristics of most of the new religions created in America, then this book is worth a read. You can have my copy.