Sex, Slander, and Salvation

Sex, Slander, and Salvation is a 1994 academic collection examining The Family International religious movement, edited by scholars J. Gordon Melton and James R. Lewis. The book compiles 17 research papers and essays investigating various aspects of this controversial religious group, formerly known as Children of God. The text presents findings from multiple scholars who conducted direct observations and interviews with Family International members. The research focuses on the movement's practices, beliefs, organizational structure, and its interactions with mainstream society and media. The book aims to provide an academic perspective on The Family International during a pivotal period in its history, just before significant organizational changes. While providing substantial documentation of the movement's activities and development, some reviewers note methodological limitations in the research approach and concerns about potential bias in data collection. This collection raises broader questions about the challenges and complexities involved in studying new religious movements, particularly those that face public controversy. The work contributes to ongoing academic discussions about research methodology and objectivity in the study of alternative religious groups.

The book has very limited reviews online, making it difficult to provide a comprehensive summary of reader reactions. Neither Goodreads nor Amazon list any consumer reviews for this title. The book examines the Church of Scientology and consists of academic papers from religious scholars. A few academic citations mention it contains responses to media criticism of Scientology. Given the book's specialized academic focus and limited commercial availability, there are not enough public reader reviews to make meaningful claims about what readers liked or disliked. No star ratings or review metrics are available on major book platforms. Note: The book appears to be out of print and reader reactions are scarce. Any attempt to characterize broader reader sentiment would require speculation beyond the available evidence.

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🔍 The Family International (formerly Children of God) was founded in 1968 during California's hippie movement. 📚 Editors Melton and Lewis are among the most prolific scholars in new religious movement studies, having authored or edited over 70 books combined. 🌍 By the time of the book's publication in 1994, the religious group had established communities in over 100 countries. ⚖️ The book emerged during a critical period when The Family International faced multiple legal investigations worldwide, making it a timely academic examination. 🎬 The group has inspired several films and documentaries, including River Phoenix's last completed movie "Dark Blood" (1993), where he drew from his childhood experiences in the movement.