ABSTRACT
In a very useful review of the literature, Robbins and Anthony (1978) discussed the role and functions of new religious movements in modern Western societies, and pointed out that the theories offered may be classified into four types: (1) those that claim that such movements have unintended and unanticipated integrative consequences for society; (2) those that claim that new religious movements have disintegrative consequences; (3) those that propose that these movements contribute to socio-cultural transformation; and (4) those who see them as marginal and socially irrelevant in Western societies.
