1. The Gypsies
Overview / Early History / Challenges to Studying the Rom / Marimé / Family and Social Organization / Arranged Marriages and the Bride Price / Lifestyle / Economic Organization / Activities / Social Control / Prejudice and Discrimination / Adaptability: The Rom Trademark / The Future
2. The Old Order Amish
Early History / ". . . A Peculiar People" / The Farmstead / Leisure and Recreation / Religious Customs / Sanctions / Courtship and Marriage / Family / Education and Socialization / Challenges Facing the Amish / The Future
3. The Shakers
Mother Ann Lee / Beginnings in America / Persecution and Prosecution / The Attractions of Shaker Life / Expansion / Economic Organization / Assessing the Shaker Economy / Social Organization / Separation of the Sexes / A Typical Shaker Day / Children: A Mixed Venture / Shaker Theology / Decline of the Order / The Shaker Heritage / The Present Scene
4. The Mormons
The "Burned-Over" District / Joseph Smith—Man of Controversy / The Early Years / The Aftermath—and Brigham Young / Polygamy / The End of Plural Marriage / Organization of LDS / Vitality of the Family / Distinctive Customs / Contemporary Politics / Mormon Challenges / The Fundamentalists / Mormonism Today / A Global Religion
5. The Oneida Community
Background / The Putney Association / Oneida / Primary-Group Interaction / Decision Making / Role of Women / Membership and Secession / Mutual Criticism / Economic Communism / Complex Marriage / Complex Marriage: Unanswered Questions / Stirpiculture / Child Rearing / The End of the Road / A Contemporary Assessment
6. The Jehovah's Witnesses
Millenarian Movement / Charles Russell / Witnesses and the Federal Government / Organization / Finances / What Witnesses Believe / Social Characteristics / Gaining Converts and Maintaining the Faith / The Religious Perspective / The Meetings / Concluding Observations
7. The Father Divine Movement
Meeting Mother Divine / The Communion Banquet / The George Baker Story / The New York City Period / Sayville—The Turning Point / Why They Joined / The Economic Structure / Social Organization and Nomenclature / No Sex—No Marriage—No Family / The Rewards / Enemies and Defectors / Scope and Operation of the Movement / Mother Divine / The Movement: Weaknesses and Strengths / The Present Scene
8. Nation of Islam
Case Study in Conversion: From Clay to Ali / Black Muslims: Label, Not a Religion / Islam: An Overview / Islam in America / Black Nationalism / Moorish Science Temple / Nation of Islam: Early Years / Elijah Muhammad: Emergence of a Prophet / Malcolm X: Spokesman for Black Muslims / COINTELPRO / The Tumultuous Period: 1965–1975 / Birth of American Society of Islam / Nation of Islam Persists / The Nation of Islam and Jewish Americans / Family Life and Gender / Education / The Million Man March / Black Nationalism in Obamaland / Concluding Thoughts
9. Church of Scientology
L. Ron Hubbard / David Miscavige / Dianetics: An Overview / Converting to Scientology / Organization, Headquarters, and Splinter Groups / Scientology as a Religion / Positions on Social Issues / Scientology Enemy No. 1: The Government / Condemning the Condemners / The Death of Lisa McPherson / Hollywood Connections / The Last Words
10. Wicca
Witchcraft: An Introduction / Anti-Witchcraft Efforts / Gerald Gardner / Organization of Wicca / Coven vs. Solitaire / Magick / The Life Cycle / Coming out of the Broom Closet / The Goddess / Wicca as a Religion / Media / Contemporary Patterns
Glossary