New Religious Movements in the Italian Sociocultural Context

To investigate the Italian groups affiliated with the new religions that appeared in the Western industrial countries in the 1970s (eg, Unification Church, Scientology, ISKON, Ananda Marga, Rajneeshism, & Transcendental Meditation), available descriptive studies are reviewed & an ideal-typical classification is presented of the relationship existing among the symbolic-religious universes, the representation of history/society, & expressive practices (ritual, ascetic, & relational). The main concept is that the integration of these new religious movements in Italian society is linked with reactions to the perceived crisis of Italy's cultural & religious system. It is difficult to specify whether these new groups are to be considered as a true sociocultural challenge to the system, or rather as an expression of the need either to desert or to comply with the shattered social system. 1 Table. Modified HA