Customer Reviews (7)

a christian mason must read
An exciting story that names and places were changed to protect the innocent.It slowly shows masons that think they are christian that they will need to chose between the two.It takes you through a life of a preacher that became a mason, and started seeing how masons do contradict the Bible.It showed some of the ugly side when one leaves masons.I learned how I was also hoodwinked, and oaths I made were not biblical, and against the scriptures.

Decker's opinion
If you choose to read anything written by Ed Decker, remember that his goal is to slander.Remember that he is very biased and writes only to profess HIS opinion.He is not a reliable man in terms of his authority to speak on such subjects.

Very good eye-opening book!
I enjoyed this book very much. It is very well written and explained. I sometimes have a hard time reading deep non-fiction but this book was facts in story format! My eyes were opened about what Masons think and do.

great entertainment if you like fiction
Just another fine example of what people won't do just to sell a couple of books. Why won't some people just get a life....

a good, easy to read summary of dangers in masonry
For those who are curious about the Masons, this is an easy to read, informative book.Most of it is in the form of a novel, based on actualevents. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Useful and level-headed
The subject of cults and "mind control" is very controversial, with far more outlandish and emotional comment than reasoned examination. This book is refreshing in its approach, using known principles of persuasion, advertising, and psychology to explain "cultish" behavior ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

More Research Is Needed!
The information put forth by the author of this work is not based on official statements from the officers or Pastor of the Church of God and Saints of Christ...It is based on information from a dissenting faction that splintered from the Church of God and Saints of Christ decades ago.The author cites the religious group as a cult, when in actuality, it is regarded in most African American religous circles as the first instance of African American Judaism in the U.S., with locations in over 50 U.S. cities, Jamaica, and southern and central Africa. I think more research should have been done to verify the origin, history, and current conditions of this religious organization, before it be written that they are a cult, or "nonconventional." ... Read more

Book Description

"I am going because I would have no peace if I stayed." So said Donald Crowhurst as he set sail on what should have been a single-handed, non-stop, round-the-world boat voyage. In the middle of the Sargasso Sea, however, his boat falling to pieces, he had a brain-frying idea…

When Chris Mikul first heard this curious tale, it inspired him to begin collating information and writing about other strange lives, eccentrics, and "beacons of shining if erratic brilliance in a world of sensible conformity". Bizarrism is the result.

Customer Reviews (1)

A pleasant book about unbalanced people
This book covers lots of nice little stories about true believers of unbelievable things.It covers everything from hollow earth enthusiasts to people who question the germ theory of disease and people with sex behaviors and beliefs so goofy you'll wind up feeling REALLY secure and happy with your own personal life.It's a great book for the guest bathroom, since each chapter is short and breezy.Lots of fun re-reading it, too.If you like reading about cults and cult-like beliefs, you'll like this book. ... Read more

Book Description
The ibeji were produced for mourning parents; the range of expressions achieved by Yoruba carvers is extraordinary, as shown in this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great, albeit overpriced, coffee-table book
This is a great, albeit slightly overpriced, coffee-table book.

The pictures in it are great -- cover a broad variety of ibeji, from various regions in Nigeria and W. Africa.

However, as one commentator said, there is really a dearth of information in this book. So much more explanation could have been provided -- be it on the Ibeji cult, Yoruba art or culture, or on the differences between the various figures from an art-historian's or cultural anthropologist's perspective.

Sadly though, as is the case with many art books, text is minimal so that translation is easy, and no changes have to be made as far as image size/text length is concerned.

So if you are looking for information about Ibeji, or Yoruba art, skip this book.

If however, you would like to give a twin or an (West)African art lover a great gift, this book makes for an impressive coffee table expense.

Everything is There
For those of us who have ever had any interest in Ebeji or have ever seen one, this book is astounding and awe inspiring. I never new that there were so many varieties and types of sub tribes. African Art is a unique and powerfull thing. It has become so popular among art collectors and the prices they claim are breath catching. However, until now there has never been a book that has so thoroughly addressed the Ebeji of the Yoruba Tribe. If you are interested in these remarkable and beautiful peices, you should buy this book. It covers everything about them as well as it shows you the infinite creativitly of the African people.

Excellent and thorough
An excellent book, which is thorough in its description of the ibeji twins tradition, and also presents a vast collection of images. Importantly, looking at the Ibejis can be as informative as reading about them, which is why the images play a central role in this book. I wrote this only because of the poor review by Marcos A. M. Oliveira "Marcos Arino", which happened to be the only review, which said "too many pictures."Highly recommended; most art collectors and dealers in the field use it as a reference.

Deceptive
Too many pictures and almost nothing about Ibeji. It is a nice book but I was looking for, mainly, informations about Ibeji cult in Yoruba religion and culture. ... Read more

Book Description
This book contains eleven essays, prefaced by a general introduction, on a set of related themes: the characteristic traits and diverse functions of holy men; the fashioning of saints out of a small minority of holy men and a number of other individuals of high social status but with more dubious spiritual credentials; the literary processes involved in the construction of hagiographical texts; the role of hagiography in the creation and diffusion of cults; and the worldly interests and other purposes which were served by hagiographical texts and the cults which they propagated. These themes are explored across a wide range of social and cultural milieux, extending from the late antique east Mediterranean through the early medieval Frankish world and Byzantium to Russia and Islam in the high middle ages. The work of Peter Brown, in particular his article, 'The Rise and Function of the Holy Man in Late Antiquity', first published in 1971, forms a constant point of reference, acknowledged by the contributors as having irradiated the whole field with fresh, provocative, and illuminating ideas. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Dark Refuge
Anita's childhood was filled with psychological abuse. She grew up moving from town to town, her mother looking for the perfect church. Finally, after years of searching, Anita's mother decided they didn't need a church to believe in God, and settled down in a small run down trailer. As Anita grew up, she didn't pay much attention to God because she felt cheated, ugly, and poor. Her mother's absolute need for control over her life pushed her into the open arms of Terrance Malle, the leader of the Omega House. As he preached and talked about God, he was luring needy people into this religious refuge. Anita thought she was doing a good thing by changing her life and giving it over to Malle, but she soon discovers she may have made the biggest mistake of her life. I really enjoyed this book. Demsky gave great scriptures from the Bible, and related it to everyday life. He also did a great job on illustrating how people can use religion as a weapon against needy people. I would recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with life, or spiritual difficulty. Dark Refuge explains how trying to change you life quickly and putting you life into the hands of a stranger can cause drastic results. ... Read more

Book Description
The foremost historian of Greek religion providers the first comprehensive, comparative study of a little-known aspect of ancient religious beliefs and practices. Secret mystery cults flourished within the larger culture of the public religion of Greece and Rome for roughly a thousand years. This book is neither a history nor a survey but a comparative phenomenology. Concentrating on five major cults. In defining the mysteries and describing their rituals, membership, organization, and dissemination, Walter Burkert displays the remarkable erudition we have come to expect of him; he also shows sensitivity and sympathy in interpreting the experiences and motivations of the devotees. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Doubtful Methodology
While Burkett is recognized as one of the leading scholars of classical Greece, I found his suppositions about the ancient mystery cults somewhat stretched, and must be rooted in Burkett's own agenda in speaking with/against previous scholars. Burkett spends the first half of this work questioning long held assumptions about the nature of afterlife belief within the cults, as he examines votive offerings and other miscellaneous archeological data asking what really do such things tell us? But of course such things tell us very little, for which archeology is a soft science filled with supposition.

This work is useful as a pause to historical critique and supposition, but ultimately those who speak of the mystery cults in the past (Plato, Pindar, and even Virgil) all make it clear that the cults consisted ofrituals and initiations preparing one for the journey in the aftrlife. While we actually know very little about what they actally entailed (actually, we know very little about most of ancient history) the truth is Burkett's approach is not exceptional, but informative.

Excellent comparative overview
I read _Ancient Mystery Cults_ with great interest.Burkert takes what I would call the "comparative approach" with this book, touching on aspects of the various cults and discussing them collectively.For example, his chapter titles are: 1. Personal Needs in This Life and After Death; 2. Organizations and Identities; 3. Theologia and Mysteries: Myth, Allegory, and Platonism; 4. The Extraordinary Experience.Thus, if you are interested in the general ideas about these mystery cults, and how they were interconnected, you will be most pleased with this book.Now, one thing that I will say that I didn't like about the book was this: if you are looking for info on a specific cult you will be a bit frustrated.There is no single chapter on the Eleusinian Mysteries, for example; he discusses them all throughout the book as they are applicable to the topic on hand.However, that is no reason not to read the book-- no cult existed in a vacuum, and knowing the general atmosphere in which even a single cult thrived is as important as knowing the details of that one particular cult.

Lucid ideas about ancient mystery cults.
I recommend this book as an introduction for everybody who is interested in this daunting subject. Daunting, because it was forbidden for the initiated to speak about the mystery. Nearly everything we know (besides artwork - Athens - architectural sites) came to us indirectly (e.g. the formidable play 'Bakchai' by Euripides).
Furthermore, all sanctuaries were destroyed after the imperial decrees (391/392) of Theodosius the Great prohibiting all pagan cults.
The author analyses 5 mystery cults : Eleusis, Meter, Isis, Mithras, and the Dionysian and Bacchian mysteries.
As we can learn from the work of Karl Kerenyi, the influence of Eleusis on Christianity should not be underestimated. Apparently, through the myth of Demeter/Persephone, the initiated were 'shown' that there was life after death. Plato was initiated (as nearly all Roman emperors) and as Hannah Ahrendt tells us in her book 'The origins of Totalitarianism', Plato must be considered as one of the fathers of the Christian creed.
For the mysteries of Mithras, I recommend the work of J. Vermaseren.

As Burkert states, most of the mysteries were expensive clubs and the experience was purely individual. That is the reason why they disappeared so rapidly: they lacked any lasting organization as the Christian Church. Another reason for Burkert was the inclusion of the family as the basic unit of piety in Christianity. The Church got the upper hand for demographic reasons.
Contrary to Burkert, we know from the work of Kerenyi on Eleusis that the taking of drugs (the kykeon) was important (it was taken after a longer period of fasting).
Burkert gives us a very good summary indeed.

A great book, but one side of an argument
Walter Burkert is one of the greatest scholars of the twentieth century in the field of ancient Greek religion, and this contribution is an excellent book which, for the most part, lives up to such a standard.I recommend itto any and all students of Greek religion who are looking to expand theirknowledge of the particulars of mystery cults and what they were all about. I do, however, have reservations about recommending it as an overview orintroductory work for laymen or students just getting interested in thesubject.Burkert's methodology, while a great improvement over the"myth and ritual" debates which dominated earlier scholarship, isvery much oriented in a psychological viewpoint which sees ancient mysteryreligion as somehow fundamentally less psychologically satisfying thanreligions like Christianity ("confessional" religions).In everychapter he tries to make the point that these cults were nothing like earlyconfessional religions like Christianity because he is responding toanother faction of scholars who tried to assimilate the two, but,unfortunately, in doing so Burkert makes a number of misleading (and, somewould say, wrong) arguments about the nature of mystery religion and thementality of its devotees.It is for these reasons that I recommend thisbook highly to someone who already knows enough to recognize when Burkertis making controversial statements and would not take him at face value. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

good book
The book is good. It gives a good overall report on the major cults and the occult. A good resource.

Helpful Introduction
Overview and Purpose

Through careful analysis and research Edmond Gruss provides an introduction to most of the major cults, and the occult.He gives a brief history of the origins for each movement and their founders.He exposes their distorted doctrines as erroneous by comparing their "authoritative" writings with the Word of God. Attention is also directed to the alluring tactics these subtle deceivers use to gain converts.In most cases Gruss discusses how to deal with people who have been deluded by these false teachers and how they might be freed from cult and .Resources for further study are provided.
Gruss's main purpose is to prepare evangelical Christians for the work of evangelizing people who have become involved in a cult or the occult. He desires to inform readers of the teachings of the leading cults and the occult, equipping true believer in Christ to meet the challenges presented to the truth of the Word of God.Gruss says "It is now time that the cults were confronted as never before by the evangelical church"(9).

Critical Evaluation

Gruss successfully fulfills his purpose.He mostly uses the writings of the organization, or a proponent of the movement, to conclusively show its teachings, making it difficult to deny.Gruss's clear communication of the essential points is his greatest strength.It is difficult to understand why the Masons, a cult that leads people into the occult, is not included in a book about cults and the occult.Wicca is also strangely neglected.This book is useful for gaining an understanding of most major cults and forms of the occult, refuting their teachings with scripture, finding resources for deeper study, and practical advise on how the lead those involved to trust Christ as Savior and Lord. ... Read more

Book Description
Across America and the world dangerous New Age cults and religious groups are growing in strength and numbers. As many as 50 million Americans are now New Age cultists while millions of others are unwittingly dabbling and experimenting in the occult through direct or indirect involvement with New Age religious and political organizations.

This is the first authoritative guide to the New Age cults and religions infecting and threatening our society. This outstanding work carefully analyzes these groups, revealing substantial, detailed information to convincingly answer the questions most asked. It clearly contrasts the false--sometimes bizarre--and unorthodox teachings and practices of the New Cults with the Living Truths contained in the Holy Bible. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

The absolute best book written by T. Marrs, before he went off the deep end...
Former Christian Preacher Texe Marrs,
now a Patriot-for-Prophet [see: Bo
Gritz authored 'My Brothers Keeper'],
did an outstanding job here of iden-
tifying the Cults and Secret Societies
that plague our Western Civilization &
thus the world. Most of the other Texe
Marrs futurist 'Prophet of Doom' books
are all of the furturist 'gloom-and-
doom' "The end is coming soon" variety.
Here he sticks to facts and denotes a
good and careful synopsis of the groups
who seek to pervert our posterity, reli-
giously; Mormons, Jehovah's Sicknesses,
Sixth (not Seventh) Day Adventures, et, al.
I suggest that despite Marrs recent 21st
Century faux puas, get this book! Keep it
on the shelf with Mike Hoffman's 'Secret
Societies and Psychological Warfare' and
'Judiaism's Strange Gods'. Pick Up On It!

Classic Marrs
His critics dismiss Texe Marrs with the label "Fundamentalist Christian."So be it.But at least he takes a stand.At least he reads the Bible of his faith.At least he applies it to the world around him.

I like Marrs' books.They have the excitement of conspiracy theory.But grounded in Bible study.If you don't believe in the Bible (or are afraid your friends will think you're a nut if you do) you probably won't like his books.But if you're into Bible prophecy, and use the Christian Bible to guide your life, then I think you'll appreciate Marrs' perspective.

I'll admit, I try not to put any Christian writer on a pedestal.God is still the definitive Author.But there's a place for writers who use the Bible to comment on current events.I appreciate the work they do.Especially when it prompts me to go back and read Bible passages they've pointed out.

So, Mr. Marrs: I thank you for taking so much flak, yet still keeping the faith.And I eagerly await your next book.

A sane, credible, and authoritative book by Texe Marrs
Judging by all of the horrible reviews of Marrs' books, I am sure that most reviewers are aware of his seemingly complete lack of credibility and his wild incredulous conspiracy theories. It would seem hard to believe that he is actually capable of writing a normal, sane, authoritative reference book, but he has!

In this book, Texe Marrs summarizes the belief systems of all of the major, and most of the minor, cults and new age "religions". The information presented is accurate and free of any wild unfounded accusations or misrepresentations. As a former student of the occult, I can verify that Mr. Marrs did a thorough and fair job in the reporting of his subject matter.

I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a reference book on new age "religions" and cults, and to all parents, teachers, counselors, and clergy who would like to have a knowledgeable foundation to work from if the need arises to to help children, teens, or young adults who may be involved with, or have questions about these subjects.

Half-Baked but Useful
This book is easy to dismiss. Tex Marrs sees dark conspiraciesand satanic influences where none exist - or more precisely, where they might exist but are laughably ineffective. Tex Marrs' later books have gone totally over the top. However, in this particular book Tex Marrs has done a creditable job of cataloging the proliferation of New Age Crackpottery that has penetrated deep into both popular and elite culture - even into mainstream Christian organizations. Skeptics and people of faith alike will find this book a useful reference (at least until something better comes along). The book does need to be updated -in the past decade several new crank belief systems have come into prominence.

One of the worst religion books ever.
Mr. Marrs has grotesquely mischaracterized the majority of religions and groups that he examines in his book. While I am not a scholar of religions,I am currently a senior in Religious Studies, and can honestly say that,for the most part, Texe Marrs has no idea what he is talking about. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (3)

An interesting examination of the seductiveness of cults
Interesting, a great read for anyone interested in feminist psychology and/or how women are attracted to cults.I respect the author's careful discussion of her methods and her openess.Highly recommended.

Tells why cults attract women PRIMARILY from wealthy classes
A fascinating look at one of the least studied phenomenoms about religious movements and cults - why do they often draw women from privileged backgrounds. Is it guilt? Is there something about the priveliged lifestyle that makes these women crave something spiritual? Goldman shows that the answers aren't the ones that automatically come to mind, affected by early family experiences, vulnerability and a lack of solid identity - and even such subtle factors as where they live. I read this one in a single day, as I found it that compelling and helped me to understand why people I knew had joined cults.

Surprising discovery
Marion Goldman's Passionate Journeys is a great surprise!A friend gave it to me raving and I started reading it as a favor.It is a knockout! It captures an era and a phenomenon that has been a mystery to many of usand described a dynamic that could happen to many women tomorrow.It's atotally involving read and left me wondering if I was susceptible tojoining a cult, even one which took a dramatic and bizarre and utterlyfascinating turn as did the Rajneeshi cult.Don't miss this one. ... Read more

Book Description
During Thanksgiving vacation of her freshman year at Swarthmore College (1977), Elizabeth, at her mother's insistence, attended a "stress-reduction" session with a biofeedback technician on staff at a Manhattan psychologist's office. During that first visit, this man filled her ears with prophetic visions of a glorious future--the inheritance of those fortunate few who might choose to accompany him. His confidence and charisma entranced her, and she soon recruited two of her college roommates. When the psychologist fired his assistant two years later, Elizabeth and her mother followed. Over the next decade, this man, a malevolent genius and master of manipulating metaphysical concepts to benefit a self-serving agenda, organized a small, dedicated band of followers. "The Group" evolved into an incestuous family--a cult. Their brainwashed minds became fused with a distinctive, New Age doctrine. A coterie of spiritual "Navy Seals", they scrambled in terror, training to survive the inevitable cataclysm--one man's divine vision of Armageddon. Subsequent to a momentous event in August 1994, with the guru as high priest, "The Black Dog Religion" was born. Elizabeth sank into a pit of despair, darker than she ever could have imagined was possible.

From the adolescent gullibility which seduced her astray, to the enlightenment which led her to freedom, you will travel an incredible journey. For anyone who has ever been trapped by a person who would not let them go, within this book lies a message of hope.

"I thank the authors for illuminating the subtleties of cult involvement along with the agonizing struggle to break the spell. An incredible story."

Frederick J. Berle, Ph.D., Clinical Psychology

Author: "Cults and Abusive Religions"

"Insightful, thought-provoking and fascinating. Ms. Burchard and Mrs. Carlone help us to understand how an intelligent, well-read, and insightful individual could be manipulated into accepting the bizarre doctrine of a sociopath."

Bill Goldberg, M.S.W.

Board of Directors, Cult Information Service of NY & NJ

"An intriguing story . . . reveals how devious individuals can take advantage of good people in a vulnerable moment. Bottom line a book everyone should read!"

David R. Cole, Vice President

Leo J. Ryan Education Foundation for Cult Awareness

"Burchard and Carlone, in the revelatory The Cult Next Door, have rendered an invaluable service. All of us must be alerted to the consummate devastation which may be perpetrated by an enslaving, malevolent predator. Wake up America! Read this book!"

Evelyn Ortner

Executive Director, The Unity Group, Inc.

A non-profit advocacy group for battered women & their children

"A painstaking, sometimes painful, insightful, case study the surprising part of this tale is that, despite two decades of mind control, the author was able to be deprogrammed. The grit, patience, and determination displayed by Judith Carlone (the "deprogrammer") had me mixing metaphors describing her as an avatar of St. Michael."

Dayn DeRose, Psychology Dept., Drew University

"This story clearly reveals how currently popular spiritual principles can be manipulated by a power-hungry individual concealed behind a benevolent facade; how the lives of innocent people can be utterly destroyed entirely permissible within the bounds of our legal system. A testimony to true friendship and the resilience of the human spirit."

Judy Chapman, Editor and Founder, Garden State Woman Magazine

"The Cult Next Door is a testimony to human weakness and the ability of love to conquer evil."

Al Sullivan, Senior Staff Writer, The Hudson Reporter

... Read more