The Children of Aum A Case Study of Aum Shinrikyo and Youth in Japan

Date of Award

2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Newman, John

Keywords

Japan, Religion, Cults

Area of Concentration

Humanities

Abstract

In this thesis I propose that various negative social factors in Japan, most of which resulted from urbanization and modernization, were greatly significant in influencing the youth of Japan to join the Armageddon cult known as Aum Shinrikyo. I explore the relationships between post-war modernization in Japan, the decline of traditional religion and the surge of the so-called New Religions of Japan. I provide a summary of the Aum Shinrikyo movement, its beliefs, history, and founder. I utilize interviews with current and ex-cult members to determine why they joined the movement. Lastly, I address research on cults in general in order to draw valid conclusions regarding the Aum Shinrikyo phenomenon.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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