1. What are some of the stereotypes about people who join NRMs? Why do you think such stereotypes develop?
2. In chapter three, Dawson reframes the problem of the rise of NRMs during the late 1960s and ‘70s using the admittedly highly abstract theories of sociologist Anthony Giddens.
Summarize Dawson's use of Giddens in your own words. How is this approach different from Dawson's account of the importance of the social context for the rise of NRMs presented earlier in the chapter?
3. Based on the discussion in Dawson, briefly outline William McLoughlin's theory of periodic religious revivals in the United States. What does McLoughlin think about the prospect of future revivals?
4. Pick three of the demographic categories that scholars have applied to NRMs and discuss and evaluate the theories scholars have given for their findings in each category (e.g. the youth of most NRM converts is due to the fact that this is a time when people lack real world responsibilities).
5. Are sociologists of religion justified in ignoring or discounting the reasons members give for joining an NRM in favor of unconscious motivations?