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'''John Gordon Melton''' (b. September 19, 1942) is an American religious scholar who was the founding director of the [http://www.americanreligion.org/. Institute for the Study of American Religion] and is currently a research specialist in [[religion]] and [[New Religious Movement]]s with the Department of Religious Studies at the [http://www.ucsb.edu/ University of California, Santa Barbara].  

'''John Gordon Melton''' (b. September 19, 1942) is an American religious scholar who was the founding director of the [https://www.americanreligion.org/. Institute for the Study of American Religion] and is currently a research specialist in [[religion]] and [[New Religious Movement]]s with the Department of Religious Studies at the [https://www.ucsb.edu/ University of California, Santa Barbara].  

He is the [[author]] of more than twenty-five books, including several encyclopedias, handbooks, and almanacs on American religion and new religious movements. He lives in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_barbara,_ca Santa Barbara, California].

He is the [[author]] of more than twenty-five books, including several encyclopedias, handbooks, and almanacs on American religion and new religious movements. He lives in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_barbara,_ca Santa Barbara, California].

His areas of research include major [[religion|religious]] [[tradition]]s, new religions and alternative religions, [[Occultism]] and [[Parapsychology]], [[New Age]], and [[vampire|vampirology]].

His areas of research include major [[religion|religious]] [[tradition]]s, new religions and alternative religions, [[Occultism]] and [[Parapsychology]], [[New Age]], and [[vampire|vampirology]].

== Early life ==

== Early life ==

Melton was born in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham,_Al Birmingham, Alabama], the son of Burnum Edgar Melton and Inez Parker. In 1964 he graduated from Birmingham Southern College with the B.A. degree and then proceeded to theological studies at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garrett-Evangelical_Theological_Seminary Garrett Theological Seminary] (M.Div., 1968). He married Dorothea Dudley in 1966, with one daughter born. The marriage ended in divorce in 1979.

Melton was born in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham,_Al Birmingham, Alabama], the son of Burnum Edgar Melton and Inez Parker. In 1964 he graduated from Birmingham Southern College with the B.A. degree and then proceeded to theological studies at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garrett-Evangelical_Theological_Seminary Garrett Theological Seminary] (M.Div., 1968). He married Dorothea Dudley in 1966, with one daughter born. The marriage ended in divorce in 1979.

In 1968 Melton was ordained as an elder in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Methodist_Church United Methodist] church and remains under bishop's appointment to this day. He was the pastor of the United Methodist church in Wyanet, Illinois (1974-75), and then at Evanston, Illinois (1975-80). He was also a member of the [http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Spiritual_Frontiers_Fellowship_International/id/87201 Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship].

In 1968 Melton was ordained as an elder in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Methodist_Church United Methodist] church and remains under bishop's appointment to this day. He was the pastor of the United Methodist church in Wyanet, Illinois (1974-75), and then at Evanston, Illinois (1975-80). He was also a member of the [https://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Spiritual_Frontiers_Fellowship_International/id/87201 Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship].

== Graduate studies==

== Graduate studies==

Melton pursued graduate studies at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_University Northwestern University] where he received his Ph.D. in the History and Literature of Religions in 1975. His doctoral dissertation surveyed some 800 religious groups known to exist in the United States at the time and led to the development of a classification system that has come to be widely used.

Melton pursued graduate studies at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwestern_University Northwestern University] where he received his Ph.D. in the History and Literature of Religions in 1975. His doctoral dissertation surveyed some 800 religious groups known to exist in the United States at the time and led to the development of a classification system that has come to be widely used.

Melton recounts that "vocationally, the most influential force in my life was the writings of a man I never met but who became my hero, [[Elmer T. Clark]] ... while my contemporaries became enthused with [[UFO]]s, [[Elvis Presley]], or Alabama football, during my last year in high school one of Clarke's books, ''The Small Sects in America'', captured my imagination. After reading it I wanted to consume everything written on American alternative religions."  

Melton recounts that "vocationally, the most influential force in my life was the writings of a man I never met but who became my hero, [[Elmer T. Clark]] ... while my contemporaries became enthused with [[UFO]]s, [[Elvis Presley]], or Alabama football, during my last year in high school one of Clarke's books, ''The Small Sects in America'', captured my imagination. After reading it I wanted to consume everything written on American alternative religions."  

In his ''Encyclopedic Handbook of Cults in America'' he drew an academic distinction between the Christian countercult movement and the secular anti-cult movement. He made the distinction on the grounds that the two movements operate with very different epistemologies, motives and methods. He was also urged to make this distinction in the course of a formal dialogue with evangelical sociologist Ronald Enroth, and also after conversations with Eric Pement of Cornerstone magazine (Chicago). This distinction has been subsequently acknowledged by sociologists such as Douglas E. Cowan and Eileen Barker.

In his ''Encyclopedic Handbook of Cults in America'' he drew an academic distinction between the Christian countercult movement and the secular anti-cult movement. He made the distinction on the grounds that the two movements operate with very different epistemologies, motives and methods. He was also urged to make this distinction in the course of a formal dialogue with evangelical sociologist Ronald Enroth, and also after conversations with Eric Pement of Cornerstone magazine (Chicago). This distinction has been subsequently acknowledged by sociologists such as Douglas E. Cowan and Eileen Barker.

Melton challenges the validity of anti-NRM sources, and the testimonies of former members (which he refers to as apostates critical of their previous groups. While testifying as an expert witness in a lawsuit, Melton asserted that when investigating groups, one should not rely solely upon the unverified testimony of ex-members, and that hostile ex-members would invariably shade the [[truth]] and blow out of proportion minor incidents turning them into major incidents. [http://www.hightruth.com/experts/melton.html] Melton also follows the argumentation of Lewis Carter and [[David Bromley]] and claims that as a result of their study, the treatment (coerced or voluntary) of former members as people in need of psychological assistance largely ceased and that an (alleged) lack of widespread need for psychological help by former members of new religions would in itself be the strongest evidence refuting early sweeping condemnations of new religions as causes of psychological trauma.[http://www.cesnur.org/testi/melton.htm] This view, is shared by several religious scholars, and contested by others.  

Melton challenges the validity of anti-NRM sources, and the testimonies of former members (which he refers to as apostates critical of their previous groups. While testifying as an expert witness in a lawsuit, Melton asserted that when investigating groups, one should not rely solely upon the unverified testimony of ex-members, and that hostile ex-members would invariably shade the [[truth]] and blow out of proportion minor incidents turning them into major incidents. [https://www.hightruth.com/experts/melton.html] Melton also follows the argumentation of Lewis Carter and [[David Bromley]] and claims that as a result of their study, the treatment (coerced or voluntary) of former members as people in need of psychological assistance largely ceased and that an (alleged) lack of widespread need for psychological help by former members of new religions would in itself be the strongest evidence refuting early sweeping condemnations of new religions as causes of psychological trauma.[https://www.cesnur.org/testi/melton.htm] This view, is shared by several religious scholars, and contested by others.  

=== New Age ===

=== New Age ===

In a paper presented at the conference on "New Age in the Old World" held at the Institut Oecumenique de Bossey, Celigny, Switzerland, Melton presented his views on the [[New Age]] [[movement]], stating that it led to a dramatic growth of the older occult/metaphysical community, and created a much more positive image for [[occultism]] in Western culture. He believes that the community of people it brought together has grown to be "one of the most important minority faith communities in the West."[http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/newage.html Available online]

In a paper presented at the conference on "New Age in the Old World" held at the Institut Oecumenique de Bossey, Celigny, Switzerland, Melton presented his views on the [[New Age]] [[movement]], stating that it led to a dramatic growth of the older occult/metaphysical community, and created a much more positive image for [[occultism]] in Western culture. He believes that the community of people it brought together has grown to be "one of the most important minority faith communities in the West."[https://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/newage.html Available online]

===Vampirism research===

===Vampirism research===

Melton has researched the history of [[vampire]]s, as well as the study of contemporary vampiric groups and rites.  In 1983 he served as [[editor]] for ''Vampires Unearthed'' by Martin Riccardo, the first comprehensive bibliography of [[English]]-language vampire [[literature]]. In 1994 he completed ''The Vampire Book: An Encyclopedia of the Undead''.  He has also written ''The Vampire Gallery: A Who's Who of the Undead''.

Melton has researched the history of [[vampire]]s, as well as the study of contemporary vampiric groups and rites.  In 1983 he served as [[editor]] for ''Vampires Unearthed'' by Martin Riccardo, the first comprehensive bibliography of [[English]]-language vampire [[literature]]. In 1994 he completed ''The Vampire Book: An Encyclopedia of the Undead''.  He has also written ''The Vampire Gallery: A Who's Who of the Undead''.

In a [[2000]] ''Speak Magazine'' interview, Melton comments on how he first became interested in the subject of vampires, stating that his interest in the subject started during college days.  He stated that: ''"During the 1990s, vampires began to consume my leisure time."''[http://www.cesnur.org/testi/melton_speak.htm Interview], ''Speak Magazine'', J. Gordon Melton, by John Mardas - No. 2, Summer 2000. <br> "I found out during my college days that I liked vampire books more than any other kind. So when I saw vampire books, I just started buying them, reading them and clipping magazine articles and saving them. During the 1990s, vampires began to consume my leisure time. And by this time, the university had taken over my religious collection and I was very happy with that, so I began to collect vampire literature. I now have what is undoubtedly the largest collection in the United States."

In a [[2000]] ''Speak Magazine'' interview, Melton comments on how he first became interested in the subject of vampires, stating that his interest in the subject started during college days.  He stated that: ''"During the 1990s, vampires began to consume my leisure time."''[https://www.cesnur.org/testi/melton_speak.htm Interview], ''Speak Magazine'', J. Gordon Melton, by John Mardas - No. 2, Summer 2000. <br> "I found out during my college days that I liked vampire books more than any other kind. So when I saw vampire books, I just started buying them, reading them and clipping magazine articles and saving them. During the 1990s, vampires began to consume my leisure time. And by this time, the university had taken over my religious collection and I was very happy with that, so I began to collect vampire literature. I now have what is undoubtedly the largest collection in the United States."

Melton is the American President of the ''The Transylvanian Society of Dracula'' (TSD). This society describes itself as international organization of people interested in the [[myths]] and legends of Count Dracula.[http://www.afn.org/~vampires/tsd.html] The Board of the Transylvanian Society of Dracula], American Chapter.  An informative page in Italian about the society is hosted at the [[CESNUR]] institute for the study of new religious movements, of which Melton is actively involved. [http://www.cesnur.org/Dracula.htm]  

Melton is the American President of the ''The Transylvanian Society of Dracula'' (TSD). This society describes itself as international organization of people interested in the [[myths]] and legends of Count Dracula.[https://www.afn.org/~vampires/tsd.html] The Board of the Transylvanian Society of Dracula], American Chapter.  An informative page in Italian about the society is hosted at the [[CESNUR]] institute for the study of new religious movements, of which Melton is actively involved. [https://www.cesnur.org/Dracula.htm]  

In 1997, Melton and Massimo Introvigne organized an event at the Westin Hotel in Los Angeles where 1,500 attendees (some dressed as vampires) came for a ''"creative writing contest, Gothic rock music and theatrical performances"''"Coffin Break To Vampires Everywhere, Fangs For The Memories".

In 1997, Melton and Massimo Introvigne organized an event at the Westin Hotel in Los Angeles where 1,500 attendees (some dressed as vampires) came for a ''"creative writing contest, Gothic rock music and theatrical performances"''"Coffin Break To Vampires Everywhere, Fangs For The Memories".

In the TSD annual colloquium, “Therapy and Magic in Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ and beyond” held in Romania in 2004, it was announced that  

In the TSD annual colloquium, “Therapy and Magic in Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ and beyond” held in Romania in 2004, it was announced that  

Melton and Introvigne would be participating in the TSD conference "Buffy, the vampire slayer", in [[Nashville, TN]] in 2004.  Melton was titled as the "Count Dracula Ambassador to the U.S".[http://www.cesnur.org/2004/vamp_04.htm] Buffy, the vampire slayer], (May 28-30, Nashville, TN)., [[CESNUR]] website.

Melton and Introvigne would be participating in the TSD conference "Buffy, the vampire slayer", in [[Nashville, TN]] in 2004.  Melton was titled as the "Count Dracula Ambassador to the U.S".[https://www.cesnur.org/2004/vamp_04.htm] Buffy, the vampire slayer], (May 28-30, Nashville, TN)., [[CESNUR]] website.

      

      

*The Transylvanian Society of Dracula, President of the American branch and Count Dracula ambassador - professional organization where papers have been presented on Vampirology [http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~emiller/drac_congress_2000.html Dracula Congress 2000], Melton paper presented as well as other research works.

*The Transylvanian Society of Dracula, President of the American branch and Count Dracula ambassador - professional organization where papers have been presented on Vampirology [https://www.ucs.mun.ca/~emiller/drac_congress_2000.html Dracula Congress 2000], Melton paper presented as well as other research works.

== Amicus curiae==

== Amicus curiae==

Melton, together with a group of scholars and the [American Psychological Association], submitted on February 10, 1987 an ''[[amicus curiæ]]'' brief in a pending case before the California Supreme Court related to the [[Unification Church]]. The brief stated that  hypotheses of brainwashing and coercive persuasion were uninformed speculations based on skewed data. [http://www.cesnur.org/testi/molko_brief.htm] APA Brief in the Molko Case], from CESNUR website, [APA later withdrew the organization from the brief], 1987<br> ''[t]he methodology of Drs. Singer and Benson has been repudiated by the scientific community'', that the hypotheses advanced by Singer were ''little more than uninformed speculation, based on skewed data'' and that "''[t]he coercive persuasion theory ... is not a meaningful scientific concept.''</ref>  The brief characterized the theory of brainwashing as not scientifically proven and advanced the position that "this commitment to advancing the appropriate use of psychological testimony in the courts carries with it the concomitant duty to be vigilant against those who would use purportedly expert testimony lacking scientific and methodological rigor."

Melton, together with a group of scholars and the [American Psychological Association], submitted on February 10, 1987 an ''[[amicus curiæ]]'' brief in a pending case before the California Supreme Court related to the [[Unification Church]]. The brief stated that  hypotheses of brainwashing and coercive persuasion were uninformed speculations based on skewed data. [https://www.cesnur.org/testi/molko_brief.htm] APA Brief in the Molko Case], from CESNUR website, [APA later withdrew the organization from the brief], 1987<br> ''[t]he methodology of Drs. Singer and Benson has been repudiated by the scientific community'', that the hypotheses advanced by Singer were ''little more than uninformed speculation, based on skewed data'' and that "''[t]he coercive persuasion theory ... is not a meaningful scientific concept.''</ref>  The brief characterized the theory of brainwashing as not scientifically proven and advanced the position that "this commitment to advancing the appropriate use of psychological testimony in the courts carries with it the concomitant duty to be vigilant against those who would use purportedly expert testimony lacking scientific and methodological rigor."

==Encyclopædia Britannica contributor==

==Encyclopædia Britannica contributor==

Dr. Melton is the second most prolific contributor to the Encyclopædia Britannica, after Dr. Christine Sutton.  He has contributed 15 ''Micropædia'' articles, generally on religious organizations or movements: Aum Shinrikyo, Branch Davidian, Christian Science, Church Universal, Eckankar, Evangelical Church, The Family, Hare Krishna, Heaven's Gate, Jehovah's Witness, [[New Age]] Movement, Pentecostalism, People's Temple, Scientology and Wicca.

Dr. Melton is the second most prolific contributor to the Encyclopædia Britannica, after Dr. Christine Sutton.  He has contributed 15 ''Micropædia'' articles, generally on religious organizations or movements: Aum Shinrikyo, Branch Davidian, Christian Science, Church Universal, Eckankar, Evangelical Church, The Family, Hare Krishna, Heaven's Gate, Jehovah's Witness, [[New Age]] Movement, Pentecostalism, People's Temple, Scientology and Wicca.

==Aum Shinrikyo==

==Aum Shinrikyo==

In May 1995, after the sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway, American scholars James R. Lewis and Gordon Melton flew to Japan to hold a pair of press conferences in which they announced that the chief suspect in the murders, religious group Aum Shinrikyo, could not have produced the sarin that the attacks had been committed with.  They had determined this, Lewis said, from photos and documents provided by the group [http://www.apologeticsindex.org/a06ae.html Apologetics Index], Police reports describe that they had discovered at Aum's main compound in March a sophisticated chemical weapons laboratory that was capable of producing thousands of kilograms a year of the poison. [http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol5no4/olson.htm CDC website], Later investigation showed that Aum not only created the sarin used in the subway attacks, but had committed previous chemical and biological weapons attacks, including a previous attack with sarin that had killed seven and injured 144 persons. [http://www.nti.org/h_learnmore/cwtutorial/chapter02_02.html]

In May 1995, after the sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway, American scholars James R. Lewis and Gordon Melton flew to Japan to hold a pair of press conferences in which they announced that the chief suspect in the murders, religious group Aum Shinrikyo, could not have produced the sarin that the attacks had been committed with.  They had determined this, Lewis said, from photos and documents provided by the group [https://www.apologeticsindex.org/a06ae.html Apologetics Index], Police reports describe that they had discovered at Aum's main compound in March a sophisticated chemical weapons laboratory that was capable of producing thousands of kilograms a year of the poison. [https://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol5no4/olson.htm CDC website], Later investigation showed that Aum not only created the sarin used in the subway attacks, but had committed previous chemical and biological weapons attacks, including a previous attack with sarin that had killed seven and injured 144 persons. [https://www.nti.org/h_learnmore/cwtutorial/chapter02_02.html]

==Other groups==

==Other groups==

In a 1999 newspaper article, Melton stated that the World Church of the Creator is a "church", despite that their members are atheists and that the term "creator" refers to themselves.

In a 1999 newspaper article, Melton stated that the World Church of the Creator is a "church", despite that their members are atheists and that the term "creator" refers to themselves.

==Criticism==

==Criticism==

Stephen A. Kent and Theresa Krebs published a critical article ''When Scholars Know Sin'', in which they characterize Gordon Melton, James R. Lewis, and Anson Shupe as cult apologists.[http://www.skeptictank.org/wsns.htm Available online] Melton was also characterized as a "apologist" in an article in the ''San Francisco Chronicle'',[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2000/05/01/MN88385.DTL] , as well as a ''""cult apologist who has a long association of defending the practices of destructive cults"'' in ''The Straits Times''.[http://www.rickross.com/reference/apologist/apologist5.html] In the same Milwaukee Journal about the Peoples Temple, Melton is quoted as saying: ''"This wasn't a cult. This was a respectable, mainline Christian group."''

Stephen A. Kent and Theresa Krebs published a critical article ''When Scholars Know Sin'', in which they characterize Gordon Melton, James R. Lewis, and Anson Shupe as cult apologists.[https://www.skeptictank.org/wsns.htm Available online] Melton was also characterized as a "apologist" in an article in the ''San Francisco Chronicle'',[https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2000/05/01/MN88385.DTL] , as well as a ''""cult apologist who has a long association of defending the practices of destructive cults"'' in ''The Straits Times''.[https://www.rickross.com/reference/apologist/apologist5.html] In the same Milwaukee Journal about the Peoples Temple, Melton is quoted as saying: ''"This wasn't a cult. This was a respectable, mainline Christian group."''

==Bibliography==

==Bibliography==

===Books===

===Books===

*James L. Garrett, Review of ''Encyclopedic Handbook of Cults in America'', ''Southwestern Journal of Theology'', 33 (1990): 69.  

*James L. Garrett, Review of ''Encyclopedic Handbook of Cults in America'', ''Southwestern Journal of Theology'', 33 (1990): 69.  

*Jeffrey Hadden, Review of ''Prime-time Religion'', ''Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion'', 36 (1997): 634.

*Jeffrey Hadden, Review of ''Prime-time Religion'', ''Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion'', 36 (1997): 634.

*Stephen A. Kent and Theresa Krebs, "When Scholars Know Sin: Alternative Religions and Their Academic Supporters," ''Skeptic'', 6/3 (1988): 36-44. Also see J. Gordon Melton, Anson D. Shupe and James R. Lewis, "When Scholars Know Sin" Forum Reply to Kent and Krebs, ''Skeptic'', 7/1 (1999): 14-21. [http://www.apologeticsindex.org/c34.html Article, rebuttals and rejoinder available online]

*Stephen A. Kent and Theresa Krebs, "When Scholars Know Sin: Alternative Religions and Their Academic Supporters," ''Skeptic'', 6/3 (1988): 36-44. Also see J. Gordon Melton, Anson D. Shupe and James R. Lewis, "When Scholars Know Sin" Forum Reply to Kent and Krebs, ''Skeptic'', 7/1 (1999): 14-21. [https://www.apologeticsindex.org/c34.html Article, rebuttals and rejoinder available online]

*Philip Jenkins, ''Mystics and Messiahs: Cults and New Religions in American History'' (New York: Oxford University Press, 2000).

*Philip Jenkins, ''Mystics and Messiahs: Cults and New Religions in American History'' (New York: Oxford University Press, 2000).

==External links==

==External links==

===Related sites===

===Related sites===

*[http://www.americanreligion.org/index.html Institute for the Study of American Religion] Homepage

*[https://www.americanreligion.org/index.html Institute for the Study of American Religion] Homepage

*[http://www.library.ucsb.edu/speccoll/arc.html American Religions Collection] at the [[University of California, Santa Barbara]] Library.

*[https://www.library.ucsb.edu/speccoll/arc.html American Religions Collection] at the [[University of California, Santa Barbara]] Library.

*[http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/cultsect/mdtaskforce/melton_testimony.htm Testimony of J. Gordon Melton Before the Maryland Task Force to Study the Effects of Cult Activities on Public Senior Higher Education Institutions] July 14, 1999

*[https://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/cultsect/mdtaskforce/melton_testimony.htm Testimony of J. Gordon Melton Before the Maryland Task Force to Study the Effects of Cult Activities on Public Senior Higher Education Institutions] July 14, 1999

*[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/1997/int/970127/religion.apologist.html 'Apologist' vs. 'Alarmist'] Time Magazine, January 27, 1997 vol. 149 no. 4

*[https://www.time.com/time/magazine/1997/int/970127/religion.apologist.html 'Apologist' vs. 'Alarmist'] Time Magazine, January 27, 1997 vol. 149 no. 4

*[http://www.cesnur.org/testi/melton_speak.htm J. Gordon Melton's Interview on New Religions] with "Speak Magazine", by John Lardas - No. 2, Summer 2000

*[https://www.cesnur.org/testi/melton_speak.htm J. Gordon Melton's Interview on New Religions] with "Speak Magazine", by John Lardas - No. 2, Summer 2000

*[http://www.americanreligion.org/books/scientology.html The Organization of Scientology] extract from the book "The Church of Scientology" by Melton

*[https://www.americanreligion.org/books/scientology.html The Organization of Scientology] extract from the book "The Church of Scientology" by Melton

*"The Rise of the Study of New Religions" paper delivered by Melton at CESNUR 1999 conference [http://www.cesnur.org/testi/bryn/br_melton.htm]

*"The Rise of the Study of New Religions" paper delivered by Melton at CESNUR 1999 conference [https://www.cesnur.org/testi/bryn/br_melton.htm]

*"Brainwashing and the Cults: The Rise and Fall of a Theory," essay by Melton published in Germany [http://www.cesnur.org/testi/melton.htm]

*"Brainwashing and the Cults: The Rise and Fall of a Theory," essay by Melton published in Germany [https://www.cesnur.org/testi/melton.htm]

*"Author's Information on Religious Sects Provides Invaluable Guide" article by evangelical journalist Richard N. Ostling, Associated Press, January 31, 2003 [http://www.cesnur.org/2003/melton.htm]

*"Author's Information on Religious Sects Provides Invaluable Guide" article by evangelical journalist Richard N. Ostling, Associated Press, January 31, 2003 [https://www.cesnur.org/2003/melton.htm]

===Other===

===Other===

* ''Why cults flourish'' - interview of Gordon Melton, Whole Earth Review,  Spring, 1987  by Jay Kinney,  Kevin Kelly [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1510/is_1987_Spring/ai_4793242/pg_1 Available online]

* ''Why cults flourish'' - interview of Gordon Melton, Whole Earth Review,  Spring, 1987  by Jay Kinney,  Kevin Kelly [https://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1510/is_1987_Spring/ai_4793242/pg_1 Available online]

===Critical sites===

===Critical sites===

*[http://www.xfamily.org/index.php/James_Gordon_Melton James Gordon Melton on xFamily.org]

*[https://www.xfamily.org/index.php/James_Gordon_Melton James Gordon Melton on xFamily.org]

*[http://www.kelebekler.com/cesnur/txt/ram2.htm ''Critical study of Gordon Melton's book on Ramtha'' by Joe Szimhart]  

*[https://www.kelebekler.com/cesnur/txt/ram2.htm ''Critical study of Gordon Melton's book on Ramtha'' by Joe Szimhart]  

*[http://www.rickross.com/apologist.html#Gordon_Melton Cult Apologists?: Gordon Melton] A set of media articles on [[Rick Ross (consultant)|Rick Ross]] website

*[https://www.rickross.com/apologist.html#Gordon_Melton Cult Apologists?: Gordon Melton] A set of media articles on [[Rick Ross (consultant)|Rick Ross]] website

*[http://www.apologeticsindex.org/m06.html J. Gordon Melton: Why is he considered a cult apologist?] page on Melton, by countercult activist Anton Hein

*[https://www.apologeticsindex.org/m06.html J. Gordon Melton: Why is he considered a cult apologist?] page on Melton, by countercult activist Anton Hein

*[http://movingon.org/article.asp?sID=1&Cat=31&ID=987&searchTerms=melton&qlid= The Price of a Scholar? Gordon Melton and the Family Care Foundation] From MovingOn.Org

*[https://movingon.org/article.asp?sID=1&Cat=31&ID=987&searchTerms=melton&qlid= The Price of a Scholar? Gordon Melton and the Family Care Foundation] From MovingOn.Org

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Religion]]