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Cults of Unreason
A fascination book, a vivid and excitingly written account of the extraordinary religious and psychological cults to which modern science and technology have given birth.
- GenresReligionCultsNonfiction
Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
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About the author
Christopher Riche Evans
11 books6 followersDr Christopher Riche Evans (29 May 1931 – 10 October 1979) was a British psychologist, computer scientist, and author.
Born in Aberdovey, he spent his childhood in Wales and was educated at Christ College, Brecon (1941–49). He spent two years in the RAF (1950–52),and worked as a science journalist and writer until 1957 when he began a B.A. course in Psychology at University College, London, graduating with honors in 1960.
After a summer fellowship at Duke University, where he first met his future American wife, Nancy Fullmer, he took up a Research Assistant post in the Physics Laboratory, University of Reading, working on eye movements under Professor R.W. Ditchburn. Upon receiving his PhD (the title of his thesis was “Pattern Perception and the Stabilised Retinal Image”), he went to the Division of Computer Science, National Physical Laboratory, Teddington in 1964, where he remained until his death of cancer in 1979. Survived by his wife and two children Christopher Samuel Evans and Victoria Evans-Theiler.
Born in Aberdovey, he spent his childhood in Wales and was educated at Christ College, Brecon (1941–49). He spent two years in the RAF (1950–52),and worked as a science journalist and writer until 1957 when he began a B.A. course in Psychology at University College, London, graduating with honors in 1960.
After a summer fellowship at Duke University, where he first met his future American wife, Nancy Fullmer, he took up a Research Assistant post in the Physics Laboratory, University of Reading, working on eye movements under Professor R.W. Ditchburn. Upon receiving his PhD (the title of his thesis was “Pattern Perception and the Stabilised Retinal Image”), he went to the Division of Computer Science, National Physical Laboratory, Teddington in 1964, where he remained until his death of cancer in 1979. Survived by his wife and two children Christopher Samuel Evans and Victoria Evans-Theiler.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 26, 2016
Originally published in 1973, psychologist Christopher Evans studies the borderline between technology and religion. Written from a primarily Anglocentric view point, it looks at what people believe, why they believe it, and the value of such thought modes.
The first half of the book is a discussion of Scientology, written when L. Ronald Hubbard was still alive and the sea-org still afloat. This is probably the most interesting part of the book. It focuses on the years at Saint Hill Manor and gives many colourful details, including the information that Hubbard once served on East Grinstead local council as 'Road Safety Organiser'.
It discusses the origins of Scientology, their beliefs (as expressed at that time), their use of technology, and their problems with the authorities. However, although it tries, it never manages to adequately explain Scientology's meteoric rise from penury to fortune.
The rest of the book covers a range of subjects, from UFO Cults, through technological gizmos and Eastern mysticism, to a somewhat prophetic mention of the Glastonbury Festival and the burgeoning New-Age scene. The book draws occasional comparisons between these groups and scientology, but generally treats each one according to its own merits.
I was particularly interested in the description of the De La Warr apparatus, as I know someone who uses one to give homeopathic treatments and therapies.
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To me it seemed fair and well balanced. As well as pointing out the irrationalities of some of these belief systems, the author also looks at the benefit obtained from these practices. He writes with wry amusement but refrains from much censure or judgement. Although critical of the controlling nature of some of these groups, he nevertheless gives the impression that everyone has a right to believe as much mad stuff as they want.
One fault of the book may be that it is too sunny, too optimistic. It could be the benefit of hindsight, but to me it seemed that the author was wearing rose tinted glasses. He gives a fleeting mention of such dark presences as The Process, and suggests that there is a nihilistic theme entering alternative culture, but it is hard to imagine that such excesses as the Manson murders were in the past rather than the future.
A fascinating and positive snapshot of a moment in time.
Things I have learned from this book.
Always look on the bright side when predicting the future. When time proves you wrong, at least you won't look like a grouch.
I can believe as much mad stuff as I want too.
The first half of the book is a discussion of Scientology, written when L. Ronald Hubbard was still alive and the sea-org still afloat. This is probably the most interesting part of the book. It focuses on the years at Saint Hill Manor and gives many colourful details, including the information that Hubbard once served on East Grinstead local council as 'Road Safety Organiser'.
It discusses the origins of Scientology, their beliefs (as expressed at that time), their use of technology, and their problems with the authorities. However, although it tries, it never manages to adequately explain Scientology's meteoric rise from penury to fortune.
The rest of the book covers a range of subjects, from UFO Cults, through technological gizmos and Eastern mysticism, to a somewhat prophetic mention of the Glastonbury Festival and the burgeoning New-Age scene. The book draws occasional comparisons between these groups and scientology, but generally treats each one according to its own merits.
I was particularly interested in the description of the De La Warr apparatus, as I know someone who uses one to give homeopathic treatments and therapies.
.
To me it seemed fair and well balanced. As well as pointing out the irrationalities of some of these belief systems, the author also looks at the benefit obtained from these practices. He writes with wry amusement but refrains from much censure or judgement. Although critical of the controlling nature of some of these groups, he nevertheless gives the impression that everyone has a right to believe as much mad stuff as they want.
One fault of the book may be that it is too sunny, too optimistic. It could be the benefit of hindsight, but to me it seemed that the author was wearing rose tinted glasses. He gives a fleeting mention of such dark presences as The Process, and suggests that there is a nihilistic theme entering alternative culture, but it is hard to imagine that such excesses as the Manson murders were in the past rather than the future.
A fascinating and positive snapshot of a moment in time.
Things I have learned from this book.
Always look on the bright side when predicting the future. When time proves you wrong, at least you won't look like a grouch.
I can believe as much mad stuff as I want too.
August 4, 2016
Though this book is perhaps in some ways dated and could be due for an update. It still holds its own and for any critical thinker a book like this is always a welcome read. Its age does make it some what charming and the subject of theology never really dates, though some of the cults therein mentioned are now accepted as 'credible' religions.
I managed to devour this book as a teenager and really found it interesting. Around this period I was reading a lot of books on the subject from all sides of the subject. This was certainly one of the best books I came across during this period of interest.
If you like to read about religion and more specifically those relegated to Cult status then this book is for you. A very nice intro on some of the featured cults which could help to motivate one to investigate further.
70 %
I managed to devour this book as a teenager and really found it interesting. Around this period I was reading a lot of books on the subject from all sides of the subject. This was certainly one of the best books I came across during this period of interest.
If you like to read about religion and more specifically those relegated to Cult status then this book is for you. A very nice intro on some of the featured cults which could help to motivate one to investigate further.
70 %
June 24, 2013
Another fine book to add to my skeptical bookshelf. Evans writes on the strange worlds of Scientology, UFO's, "black box" medicine, and New Age gurus. It is an old book, but still holds up nicely today. It definitely deserves a sequel to answer today's views of these belief systems. The framework of the book is interesting: how classic religion is no longer enough in answering people's concerns about the mysteries of existence and the universe. Unfortunately too many people run to belief systems started by confidence men and that do not hold up to scientific scrutiny.
August 10, 2019
I knew Chris Evans slightly when he worked at NPL in the 70s and he was also a regular knowledgable phone-in host on London's Capital radio on all things Psychology related. He died far too young (1979) but he did leave us this brilliant and amusing look at cults and religions. The Scientology section is a tour de force.
September 4, 2022
The bits about Scientology were pretty interesting. Overall it was kind of a bore.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews