Rebecca Moore: Religion, Cults, Violence and History

Is the human brain more wired towards story than a set of rules to follow?Can religion prescribe behavior without trying to describe reality?What is the most successful example of religious violence?What is the difference between a cult and a religion?These questions and more I discussed with Rebecca Moore.  Rebecca Moore is Emerita Professor of Religious Studies at San Diego State University. One of her research specialties is new religious movements. She co-edited "Peoples Temple and Black Religion in America" and authored "Understanding Jonestown and Peoples Temple" . Her book "Beyond Brainwashing: Perspectives on Cultic Violence" came out in 2018 and "Peoples Temple and Jonestown in the Twenty-First Century" came out in 2022. Moore also specializes in the history of Christianity. Her book "Voices of Christianity: A Global Introduction" is a text-reader for college courses. "Women in Christian Traditions" offers a feminist analysis of the role women have played in the development of Christianity and "A Blessing to Each Other: A New Account of Jewish and Christian Relations" is one of her newest books. Check out the amazing Jonestown Institute here