Moishe Rosen is smiling

Review of "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Active New Religions, Sects and Cults (Revised)" 

This is not the best encyclopedia on the subject. The entries are very short, so short that even Wiki or the web-in-general may have more information on the groups covered. Nor is it clear whether the groups really are “active”. Some must be very small and were founded over a century ago! Often, no sources for the information are given. The volume looks more like a directory or checklist than a real book.

The only positive trait is the black-and-white photos. Thus, we can admire Teilhard de Chardin in military uniform, a photo of the Exclusive Plymouth Brethren (!), Ian Paisley protesting the Anglo-Irish agreement, and a smiling Moishe Rosen (illustrious founder of Jews for Jesus). Franco is shown on a full-page photo in full Generalissimus regalia, since the Palmarian Catholic Church venerates him as a saint.

But sure, if you are a super-super-nerd on the subjects of NRMs, leafing through this volume at your local college library might be a good idea. Where else would you hear of the Ordine Esoterico Del Loto Bianco, the Osirian Temple Assembly, the Dolly Pond Church of God with signs following, the Ras Tafari Melchizedek Orthodox Church or the Sylla Movement, the latter only found in the Ivory Coast?