{"product_id":"storming-zion-government-raids-on-religious-communities-9780195398908","title":"Storming Zion: Government Raids on Religious Communities","description":"While scholars, media, and the public may be aware of a few extraordinary government raids on religious communities, such as the U.S. federal raid on the Branch Davidians in 1993, very few people are aware of the scope of these raids or the frequency with which they occur. Inspired by the\u003cbr\u003eTexas State raid on the Fundamentalist Church of Latter-day Saints in 2008, authors Stuart A. Wright and Susan J. Palmer decided to collect data on all the raids of this kind that have taken place in Western-style democracies over the last six decades. They thus established the first archive of\u003cbr\u003eraided groups and then used it see if any patterns could be identified. Their findings were shocking; there were far more raids than expected, and the vast majority of them had occurred since 1990, reflecting a nearly exponential increase. What could account for this sudden and dramatic increase in\u003cbr\u003estate control of minority religions? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eStorming Zion\u003c\/em\u003e, Wright and Palmer argue that the increased use of these high-risk and extreme types of enforcement corresponds to expanded organization and initiatives by opponents of unconventional religions. Anti-cult organizations provide strategic frames that define potential conflicts or\u003cbr\u003eproblems in a given community as inherently dangerous, and construct narratives that draw on stereotypes of child and sexual abuse, brainwashing, and even mass suicide. The targeted group is made to appear more dangerous than it is, resulting in an overreaction by authorities. Wright and Palmer\u003cbr\u003eexplore the implications of heightened state repression and control of minority religions in an increasingly multicultural, globalized world. At a time of rapidly shifting demographics within Western societies this book cautions against state control of marginalized groups and offers insight into\u003cbr\u003ethe reasons why the responses to these groups are often so reactionary.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Stuart A. Wright, Susan J. Palmer\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Oxford University Press, USA\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 12\/04\/2015\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 304\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.90lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.10h x 6.10w x 0.90d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780195398908\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eChoice\u003c\/i\u003e 08\/01\/2016\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStuart A. Wright\u003c\/strong\u003e is Professor of Sociology and Chair of the Department of Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice at Lamar University. Dr. Wright is known internationally for his research on religious and political movements, conflict and violence. He has previously published five books, including \u003cem\u003eArmageddon in Waco\u003c\/em\u003e (1995), \u003cem\u003e Patriots, Politics, and the Oklahoma City Bombing\u003c\/em\u003e (2007) and \u003cem\u003eSaints under Siege: The Texas State Raid on the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints\u003c\/em\u003e (with James T. Richardson, 2011). \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSusan J. Palmer \u003c\/strong\u003eis an Affiliate Professor in the Religion Department at Concordia University and Member of the Religious Studies Faculty at McGill University. She is the author of\u003cem\u003e New Heretics of France\u003c\/em\u003e (2011); \u003cem\u003eAliens Adored: Rael's UFO Religion\u003c\/em\u003e (2004); and \u003cem\u003eMoon Sisters, Krishna Mothers, Rajneesh\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eLovers\u003c\/em\u003e (1994).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Oxford University Press, USA","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":39930782810227,"sku":"9.78E+12","price":43.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/9255\/0515\/products\/img_61cfe09a-f218-4e43-8a81-35f298b42293.jpg?v=1647699639","url":"https:\/\/bookstorenmore.com\/products\/storming-zion-government-raids-on-religious-communities-9780195398908","provider":"Bookstore N More","version":"1.0","type":"link"}