When the charismatic founder/leader of a religious movement dies, the popular belief is that the movement usually disintegrates. However, many new religions not only survive but prosper, despite leadership transition. In this book, prominent scholars examine what happened to eleven new movements following the deaths of their leaders, and why. An Introduction by J. Gordon Melton serves to integrate the case studies.
Timothy Miller is Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Kansas, Lawrence.
PrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: When Prophets Die: The Succession Crisis in New ReligionsJ. Gordon Melton1. The Shakers: The Adaptation of ProphecyDiane Sasson2. Postcharismatic Authority in the Amana Society: The Legacy of Christian MetzJonathan G. Andelson3. American Indian ProphetsJames R. Lewis4. The Latter Day Saint Movement: A Study in SurvivalSteven L. Shields5. They Found a Formula: 450 Years of Hutterite CommunitarianismTimothy Miller6. Democracy vs. Hierarchy: The Evolution of Authority in the Theosophical SocietyCatherine Wessinger7. Charisma and Covenant: The Christian Science Movement in its Initial Postcharismatic PhaseJohn K. Simmons8. When Prophets Die: The Case of the Spirit Fruit SocietyH. Roger Grant9. The Rastafari of JamaicaBarry Chevannes10. The Call of the Lotus-Eyed Lord: The Fate of Krishna Consciousness in the WestSteven J. Gelberg11. Siddha Yoga: Swami Muktananda and the Seat of PowerGene R. Thursby12. When the Prophet Is Yet Living: A Case Study of the Unification ChurchMichael L. MicklerAfterwordNotes