Charisma in New Religious Movements

Charisma is something that we may find hard to define or predict, but easier to recognize. It is an observed and inferred personality trait, usually diagnosed after the fact when discussing historical events, and often used as a causal explanation, e.g., “group X gained many followers because of the leader’s charisma.” If leadership is a status conferred by a leader’s followers, charisma is a type of leadership we infer from its exceptional effects.

Some researchers have suggested that charisma, an innate trait, is experienced through certain signals that the charismatic leader radiates in a particular communicative manner. It may be recognized as an awe-inspiring rhetorical style, which is emotional, positive, and excited, effective in inspiring and attracting followers and peers. Thus, the oratory skills of the Peoples Temple’s founder, Jim Jones, have often been recognized by observers.

New religious movements (NRMs) are, by definition, belief minorities and often find themselves...