Stephen A. Kent

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Stephen A. Kent
2000 03 18 Stephen A. Kent.jpg
Kent in 2000
Alma mater University of Maryland, College Park, B.A. (1973)
American University, M.A. (1978)
McMaster University, Ph.D. (1984)
Known for From Slogans to Mantras
AwardsGraduate Student Supervisor Award (2009)
Bill Meloff Memorial Teaching Award (2010)
Scientific career
Fields Sociology of religion, New religious movements
InstitutionsProfessor of Sociology, University of Alberta

Stephen A. Kent is a professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. [1] He researches new religious movements (NRMs), [1] and has published research on several such groups including the Children of God (The Family), [2] the Church of Scientology, [3] and other NRMs operating in Canada.

Contents

Education

Kent graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 1973, with a B.A. degree in sociology and a minor in social and political theory. [4] [5] In 1978, he was awarded a master's degree in the history of religions from American University. [4] Kent was also awarded an M.A. in 1980 from McMaster University with a focus in religion and modern Western society and a minor in Indian Buddhism; he was granted a Ph.D. in religious studies in 1984 from the same institution. [4] [6] From 1984 to 1986, Kent held an Izaac Walton Killam Postdoctoral Fellowship in the sociology department at the University of Alberta. [4]

Research

John H. Simpson writes in a chapter of Lori G. Beaman's 2006 book Religion and Canadian Society that Kent "finds himself on the cult side of the cult/new religious movement divide." [7] Simpson recommends Kent for further reading on the group the Children of God and notes: "He has done extensive research on new religious movements and argues that we need to be careful about minimizing the risks of involvement with such groups. His work is a good example of the issues taken up by scholars who focus on 'cults.'" [7] Kent has devoted significant study to the Children of God, and the group's founder David Berg. [2] He has researched testimony of individuals that have alleged Satanic ritual abuse, in a period from the 1930s to 1980s. [8] Kevin J. Christiano notes in the book Sociology of Religion: Contemporary Developments that Kent's research "shows that the Bible and biblical themes provide the primary references for the articulation of abuse", noting that "purported cult ceremonies particularly used biblical references and metaphors." [8] Irving Hexham commented about Kent in a 2001 article in Nova Religio , "The one exception to the generally neutral tone of Canadian academics and their rejection of anticult rhetoric is Stephen Kent, who has been outspoken in his criticism of many new religions, particularly Scientology, and who works closely with various anticult groups. Although Kent's views are widely known, few Canadian academics agree with his findings and most disagree quite strongly because of his tendency to use the testimony of ex-members." [9] Sociologist Anson Shupe and Susan J. Darnell characterised Kent as "eccentric", stating that research and police enquiries into the allegations of satanic ritual human sacrifice had proved them to be unfounded. [10] Criminologist Michael Salter, however, views Kent's work on ritual abuse more favorably. [11]

Steven A. Kent speaks at conference of Leo J. Ryan Education Foundation, formerly CULTInfo
(March 18, 2000)

With fellow sociologist Theresa Krebs, Kent has written about instances of "when scholars know sin". [12] In their book Denying History, authors Michael Shermer and Alex Grobman note "Sociologists are aware of the problem of a researcher's 'co-option' by a group – a cult or New Age religion, perhaps – whereby the scholar, in entering a group and spending considerable time with its members, publishes a paper or book that is not as objective as he or she may believe." [13] Shermer and Grobman cite Kent and Krebs's work, commenting "In fact, the sociologists Stephen Kent and Theresa Krebs have identified numerous cases of 'when scholars know sin,' where allegedly nonpartisan, unbiased scholars find themselves the unwitting tools of religious groups striving for social acceptance and in need of the imprimatur of an academic." [13]

Kent's research of Scientology has focused on its organization, the Rehabilitation Project Force (RPF). [14] His extensive study of Scientology's history and practices led him to conclude that as a result of relatively young people becoming involved with the organization in the 1960–70s, some second-generation Scientologist children have left the group in "waves". [15] Kent has commented to the media about Scientology's RPF, [14] and the Scientology ethics and justice system, [16] as well as its affiliated organization Narconon. [17] [18] He has published articles concerning Scientology and Hollywood, [19] and commented that Scientology uses celebrities as "public relations officers for Scientology, and part of their mission is to represent Scientology to the outside world and to other governments." [20] According to CBS News , "[h]e's considered one of the foremost experts on Scientology. But inside the church, he's considered an anti-religious extremist who has been paid to testify against the church in court." [21] The editor-in-chief of The Village Voice referred to Kent as an academic "who studies Scientology in depth", [22] and the St. Petersburg Times referred to Kent as "an expert on the group". [23] Kent has testified as an expert witness for parties suing organizations affiliated with Scientology, and subsequently Scientologists picketed outside of his University of Alberta office. [24] Religious studies scholar J. Gordon Melton and Church of Scientology spokesperson Leisa Goodman have both questioned the accuracy of Kent's scholarship. [25] Kent responded to both critics, noting their breaches of ethics and poor research practices. [26]

Sociologist Lorne Dawson has criticized Kent's work for his use of ex-member testimony. [27] In response to Dawson and other critics who have issues with ex-member testimony, Kent argues that former member accounts provide outsider insights not available to members who misattribute divine authority to leaders in high demand religious groups. [28] Additionally, the methodological considerations raised by Dawson do not end at ex-member testimony, given that much of his critique was "prepared at the request of the Church of Scientology" as part of his employment as an expert witness. [29] Relying on member testimony raises the important issue of how researchers' sympathies influence their work. [30] As part of their response to a general call for a critical sociology of religion, Thomas J. Josephsohn and Rhys H. Williams argue that sociology of religion's focus on the beneficial aspects of religion has tended to ignore "some significant and darker aspects of religion such as violence, terrorism, prejudice, and social closure". [31]

From Slogans to Mantras

Kent's book From Slogans to Mantras: Social Protest and Religious Conversion in the Late Vietnam Era was published in 2001 by Syracuse University Press. [32] In the book, Kent explored how political activists from the period of the Vietnam War later turned to alternative religious movements including Hare Krishnas, Transcendental Meditation, Scientology, and the Unification Church. [33] In 2003 it was cited by Choice as an outstanding academic title that should be owned by every library. [34]

Publishers Weekly described From Slogans to Mantras as a "lucid and economical study", noting that Kent had examined the convergence between the interest of American youth in radical politics and protest and the pursuit of "unusual, cultish, spiritual traditions." [35] James A. Overbeck wrote in Library Journal that the work is recommended for academic and public libraries, mentioning that Kent utilized personal narratives and alternative press in the book. [36] Doni Whitsett reviewed the book in Cultic Studies Review , [37] writing that it contained informative content, and is an easy read free of sociological jargon which made it more accessible to non-expert readers. However, Whitsett also stated that it would have been interesting to compare those who did not choose the route of the ex-members described in the book and to analyze the differences inherent in these two subsets of individuals. [37] Jill K. Gill reviewed the book in Humanities and Social Sciences Online and also commented on its readability, stating that it was succinctly written and engaging. [38]

Peter W. Williams reviewed the book in The Journal of American History and provided a less positive review, saying that the book was a "mildly interesting and useful footnote to the sixties" but that he wished the book had gone further than that. [39]

Awards and recognition

In 2003, Kent's book From Slogans to Mantras was cited by Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries as an "Outstanding Academic Title" that should be owned by every library. [40] Kent was recognized by his students at the University of Alberta in 2009. [41] He received a "Graduate Student Supervisor Award" from the Graduate Students' Association on March 12, 2009. [41] In April 2010, Kent received the "Bill Meloff Memorial Teaching Award" given by the Department of Sociology at the University of Alberta. [42] He stated he would utilize the 1,000 USD award to "update the department's DVD collections in the sociology of deviance and the sociology of religion". [42]

Works

Books
Edited Volume
Book chapters
Articles
Institute publications
Popular press
Reviews

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. 1 2 Goodyear, Dana (January 14, 2008). "Château Scientology". Letter from California. New Yorker. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  2. 1 2 White, Gayle (July 25, 1998). "'Heaven's Harlot' looks back on Jesus freak days". The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution. p. D01.
  3. ↑ Douglas Frantz (December 1, 1997). "Distrust in Clearwater -- A special report.; Death of a Scientologist Heightens Suspicions in a Florida Town". The New York Times. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Zablocki, Benjamin David; Thomas Robbins (sociologist) (2001). Misunderstanding Cults: Searching for Objectivity in a Controversial Field. University of Toronto Press. p. 523. ISBN   0-8020-8188-6.
  5. ↑ "University of Alberta Faculty Page". Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Kent, Stephen; Professor, Theory/Culture; PhD, McMaster". Department of Sociology; Faculty of Arts. University of Alberta. 2010. Archived from the original on July 26, 2012. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  7. 1 2 Beaman, Lori G. (2006). Religion and Canadian Society: Traditions, Transitions, and Innovations. Canadian Scholars' Press. p. 272. ISBN   978-1-55130-306-2.
  8. 1 2 Christiano, Kevin J.; William H. Swatos; Peter Kivisto (2002). Sociology of Religion: Contemporary Developments. Rowman Altamira. pp.  68, 319, 321, 344. ISBN   0-7591-0035-7.
  9. ↑ Hexham, Irving (April 2001). "New Religions and the Anticult Movement in Canada". Nova Religio . 4 (2): 286. doi:10.1525/nr.2001.4.2.281. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  10. ↑ Shupe, Anson; Susan E. Darnell (2006). Agents of Discord: Deprogramming, Pseudo-Science, and the American Anticult Movement. Transaction Publishers. pp.  135–136. ISBN   0-7591-0035-7.
  11. ↑ Salter, Mark. (2012). Organised sexual abuse. Routledge.
  12. ↑ Kent, Stephen A.; Theresa Krebs (1998). "When Scholars Know Sin: Alternative Religions and Their Academic Supporters". Skeptic Magazine . 6 (3). Archived from the original on May 3, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
  13. 1 2 Shermer, Michael; Alex Grobman (2009). Denying History. University of California Press. p. 57. ISBN   978-0-520-26098-6.
  14. 1 2 Semuels, Alana (July 24, 2005). "From the outside, looking in". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  15. ↑ Reitman, Janet (February 23, 2006). "Inside Scientology". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on October 5, 2007. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  16. ↑ Sommer, Mark (February 2, 2005). "Outside critics are unacceptable". Buffalo News .
  17. ↑ Peters, Paul (May 8, 2008). "Scientology and the Blackfeet". Missoula Independent . Archived from the original on September 3, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  18. ↑ Boudjikanian, Raffy (March 5, 2008). "MP denies knowledge of endorsed organization's ties to Scientology". West Island Chronicle. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  19. ↑ Verini, James (June 28, 2005). "Missionary Man: Tom Cruise and the Church of Scientology". Salon.com. Spiegel Online . Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  20. ↑ Strupp, Joe (June 30, 2005). "The press vs. Scientology". Salon . Archived from the original on January 7, 2007. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  21. ↑ "Scientology – A Question of Faith". 48 Hours. CBS News. October 28, 2006. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  22. ↑ Ortega, Tony (June 30, 2008). "Scientology's Crushing Defeat". Village Voice. Archived from the original on July 9, 2008. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  23. ↑ Wayne Garcia (August 28, 1993). "Scientology's words to hit the airwaves". St. Petersburg Times . Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  24. ↑ Evans, Jim (August 23, 2001). "Scientology Inc". Sacramento News & Review. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  25. ↑ Goodman, Leisa (2001). "A Letter from the Church of Scientology". Marburg Journal of Religion . 6 (2). Melton, J. Gordon (2003). "A Contemporary Ordered Religious Community: The Sea Organization". In Davis, Derek H.; Hankins, Barry (eds.). New Religious Movements and Religious Liberty in America. Baylor University Press. pp. 192–193. ISBN   978-0-918954-92-3.
  26. ↑ Kent, Stephen (September 2003). "Scientology and the European Human Rights Debate: A Reply to Leisa Goodman, J. Gordon Melton, and the European Rehabilitation Project Force Study". Marburg Journal of Religion . University of Marburg. 8 (1). doi:10.17192/mjr.2003.8.3725. Archived from the original on June 29, 2006.
  27. ↑ Dawson, Lorne L. (2001). "Raising Lazarus: A Methodological Critique of Stephen Kent's Revival of the Brainwashing Model". In Zablocki, Benjamin David; Robbins, Thomas (eds.). Misunderstanding Cults: Searching for Objectivity in a Controversial Field . University of Toronto Press. pp. 380–381. ISBN   0-8020-8188-6.
  28. ↑ Kent, Stephen A. (1994). "Misattribution and Social Control in the Children of God". Journal of Religion and Health . 33 (1): 29–43. doi:10.1007/BF02354497. PMID   24263783. S2CID   24012781.
  29. ↑ Dawson, Lorne L. (2001). "Raising Lazarus: A Methodological Critique of Stephen Kent's Revival of the Brainwashing Model". In Zablocki, Benjamin David; Robbins, Thomas (eds.). Misunderstanding Cults: Searching for Objectivity in a Controversial Field . University of Toronto Press. p. 395. ISBN   0-8020-8188-6.
  30. ↑ Neitz, M. J. (2013). "Insiders, outsiders, advocates and apostates and the religions they study: Location and the sociology of religion". Critical Research on Religion . 1 (2): 129–140. doi:10.1177/2050303213490311. S2CID   145135523.
  31. ↑ Josephsohn, T. J.; R. H. Williams (2013). "Possibilities in the critical sociology of religion". Critical Research on Religion . 1 (2): 124. doi:10.1177/2050303213490098. S2CID   144198202.
  32. ↑ Kent, Stephen A. (2001). From Slogans to Mantras: Social Protest and Religious Conversion in the Late Vietnam Era. Syracuse University Press. ISBN   0-8156-2948-6.
  33. ↑ "From Slogans to Mantras". Publishers Weekly . Cahners Business Information. 248 (42): 66. October 15, 2001.
  34. ↑ Bartlett, Rebecca Ann (2003). Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles, 1998–2002. Association of College & Research Libraries. pp. 571, 601, 621. ISBN   0-8389-8232-8.
  35. ↑ Staff. Publishers Weekly . 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc. pp. Review, From Slogans to Mantras.
  36. ↑ Overbeck, James A. Library Journal . Atlanta-Fulton Public Library, Atlanta, Georgia: 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. pp. Review, From Slogans to Mantras.
  37. 1 2 Whitsett, Doni (2002). "Reviews: From Slogans to Mantras: Social Protest and Religious Conversion in the Late Vietnam War Era". Cultic Studies Review . 1 (3). Archived from the original on February 17, 2012.
  38. ↑ Gill, Jill K. (July 2002). "Review of Stephen A. Kent, From Slogans to Mantras: Social Protest and Religious Conversion in the Late Vietnam War Era". H-Net .
  39. ↑ Williams, Peter W. (March 2003). "Book Review, From Slogans to Mantras". The Journal of American History. 89 (4): 1616. doi:10.2307/3092694. JSTOR   3092694.
  40. ↑ Bartlett, Rebecca Ann (2003). Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles, 1998–2002. Association of College & Research Libraries. pp. 571, 601, 621. ISBN   0-8389-8232-8.
  41. 1 2 "2009 GSA Award Recipients". Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts. University of Alberta. March 16, 2009. Retrieved June 12, 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  42. 1 2 Whalen, C (April 14, 2010). "Stephen Kent receives the 2010 Bill Meloff Memorial Teaching Award". News: Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts. University of Alberta . Retrieved June 2, 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
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