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David G. BromleyAmerican religious scholar and sociologist, professor of sociology
Date of Birth: 25.02.1941
Country:  USA |
Content:
- David G. Bromley
- Academic Career
- Editorial Roles
- Research Focus
- Critique of the Anti-Cult Movement
- Publications and Honors
David G. Bromley
Early Life and EducationDavid G. Bromley is an American sociologist and religious scholar. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Colby College (1963), a Master of Arts from the University of Duke (1966), and a Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology from the University of Duke (1971).
Academic Career
Bromley's academic career began at the University of Virginia, where he served as an Instructor in Sociology and Anthropology from 1968 to 1974. He then moved to the University of Texas at Arlington, where he became an Assistant Professor (1974-1980) and served as Department Chair (1976-1977). From 1980 to 1983, he was an Associate Professor at the University of Hartford.
Since 1983, Bromley has been a Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Virginia. Additionally, he has been a Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the College of William & Mary since 1994.
Editorial Roles
Bromley has held numerous editorial positions throughout his career. From 1992 to 1995, he served as Editor of the "Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion." Since 1991, he has been the Editor-in-Chief of the multi-volume book series "Religion and the Social Order."
Research Focus
Bromley's research interests center on the sociology of religion, with a particular emphasis on new religious movements. He has studied the social conflict surrounding the emergence of these movements in North America and the rise of the anti-cult movement in the 1970s and 1980s.
Critique of the Anti-Cult Movement
Bromley became a leading critic of the anti-cult movement and its use of deprogramming as a means of combating new religious movements. He argued that the movement's witch-hunt-like tactics violated civil liberties and posed a threat to freedom of religion.
Publications and Honors
Throughout his career, Bromley has published numerous books and articles on topics related to religion, social deviance, and religious apostasy. He has also received several awards for his scholarship, including the Distinguished Contribution Award from the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (2006).
