Minimize, Maximize, and Close: Media Portrayals of New Religious Movements

Media portrayals of New Religious Movements (NRMs) frequently employ two rhetorical strategies: delegitimization, which trivializes or ridicules, and demonization, which amplifies perceived threats. This paper explores how contemporary media representations of NRMs—particularly The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—utilize these opposing yet complementary tactics. Analyzing materials ranging from The Book of Mormon Musical and South Park to Under the Banner of Heaven and American Primeval, this study situates these portrayals within broader historical and cultural contexts. Drawing on rhetorical studies and cultural sociology, it examines how these strategies shape public perception and mobilize opposition to NRMs. Additionally, the paper considers how similar approaches have been deployed against other NRMs and how targeted groups respond to negative framing. By investigating these media dynamics, this research contributes to discussions on religious freedom, social inclusion, and the power structures that define mainstream versus marginal religious identities.