The new heretics of france: minority religions, la republique, and the government-sponsored ''war on sects''

Susan Palmer offers an insightful examination of France's most stigmatized new religions, or ''sectes,'' and the public management of religious and philosophical minorities by the state. Since the Age of Enlightenment, France has upheld clear constitutional guidelines that protect human rights and religious freedom. Today, however, intolerant attitudes and discriminatory practices towards unconventional faiths have become acceptable and even institutionalized inpublic life. Susan Palmer offers an insightful examination of France's most stigmatized new religions, or ''sectes,'' and the public management of religious and philosophical minorities by the state.The New Heretics of France tracks the mounting government-sponsored anticult movement in the wake of the shocking mass suicides of the Solar Temple in 1994, and the negative impact of this movement on France's most visible religious minorities, whose names appeared on a ''blacklist'' of 172 sectes commissionedby the National Assembly. Drawing on extensive interviews and field research,Palmer describes the controversial histories of well-known international NRMs(the Church of Scientology,Raelian Movement, and Unificationism) in France, as well as esoteric local groups. Palmer also reveals the partisanship of Catholic priests, journalists, village mayors, and the passive public who support La Rpublique's efforts to control minority faiths - all in the name of ''Liberty, Equality andFraternity.''Drawing on historical and sociological theory, Palmer analyzes France's war on sects as a strategical response to social pressures arising from globalization and immigration. Her study addresses important issues of religious freedom,public tolerance, and the impact of globalization and immigration on traditional cultures and national character. INDICE: Preface: Research Experiences in a War Zone. Introduction: Why ''New Heretics''? Part I: The Rise of the Government-Sponsored Antisecte Movement Part II: Groups on the Guyard List 1. The Holy City of Mandarom: A Case of Mediabolization 2. The Church of Scientology: Legal & Activist Responses 3.The Raelian Movement: A Challenge to Sexual Mores and Scientific Orthodoxy 4.Tabitha's Place: The Role of Children and the Rights of Parents 5. Horus: Alternative Healing or the ''Illegal Practice of Medicine'' 6. No-Phare: First Application of the About-Picard Law Part III: Reflections on the Meaning of the''French Sect Wars'' List of Acronyms Bibliography Appendices Index

• ISBN: 978-0-19-973521-1
• Editorial: Oxford University
• Encuadernacion: Cartoné
• Páginas: 304
• Fecha Publicación: 08/12/2011
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés