A valuable resource for students as well as interesting reading for general audiences, this book provides a unique global perspective on the history, beliefs, and practices of emergent faith communities and new religious traditions and movements that have appeared and evolved worldwide, from the 19th century to the present. * Presents alphabetically arranged entries on new religions that provide readers with easy-to-access, historical information about how these religions emerged from their cultural contexts and evolved over time * Provides numerous primary source documents-each introduced by a headnote-that convey firsthand accounts of the founding of new religions and supply students material for critical analysis * Includes photographs that help students better visualize important places, people, and things related to new religions * Helps meet world history content standards and enables a fuller understanding of religious beliefs and practices in the contemporary world as well as how religions have responded to challenges and uncertainties