The Church of Scientology (Melton)
Encyclopedia
The Church of Scientology is a book written by J. Gordon Melton
J. Gordon Melton
John Gordon Melton is an American religious scholar who was the founding director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion and is currently a research specialist in religion and New Religious Movements with the Department of Religious Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara...

 on the Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...

. It is the first of a series of books on new religious movements published by the Center for Studies on New Religions.

Contents

The book deals with the history and development of Scientology, covering such matters as church's structure and organization, ethics, and nonprofit initiatives. It also deals with the church's views regarding religious freedom and human rights, as well as its members efforts to win their own religious freedom and human rights. It also deals with the question the Church itself has often been asked, whether it does qualify as a religion.

Reception

The book was well-received on publication. Derek Davis in the Journal of Church and State said "Few books pack as much information into so little space." Catherine Ritchie in Library Journal
Library Journal
Library Journal is a trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey . It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional practice...

called it a brief, well-balanced guide to the controversial movement, and a good choice for public libraries. Jana Riess
Jana Riess
Jana Kathryn Riess is an American writer and editor.Reiss' writings have focused on American religions, usually on organized movements such as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and The Church of Christ, Scientist.-Background:Reiss was born in the US midwest, one of two children...

 in Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...

said it was a rare, welcome impartial treatment of the subject by an outsider and that it did an admirable job covering the bases and showing the views of both the Church and its detractors.
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