This volume investigates the complex evolution, sociological impact, and global diversification of new religious movements in the twenty-first century. Editors Inga B. Tollefsen and James R. Lewis compile contributions from an international array of scholars to examine how these groups navigate modernity, digital transformation, and state regulation. The text provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the shifting boundaries between established religions and emerging spiritual organizations.

Scholars and students of religious studies frequently cite this handbook as a foundational reference for understanding the contemporary landscape of minority religions. Experts note the academic density of the prose and the rigorous, objective methodology applied to sensitive subject matter.