Editing New religious movement (section)

===Demographics===
NRMs typically consist largely of first-generation believers,{{sfn|Barker|1989|p=11}} and thus often have a younger average membership than mainstream religious congregations.{{sfn|Barker|1989|pp=11–12}}  Some NRMs have been formed by groups who have split from a pre-existing religious group.{{sfn|Barker|1989|p=13}} As these members grow older, many have children who are then brought up within the NRM.{{sfn|Barker|1989|p=12}}

In the [[Third World]], NRMs most often appeal to the poor and oppressed sectors of society.{{sfn|Barker|1989|p=14}}  Within Western countries, they are more likely to appeal to members of the middle and upper-middle classes,{{sfn|Barker|1989|p=14}} with Barrett stating that new religions in the UK and US largely attract "white, middle-class late teens and twenties".{{sfn|Barrett|2001|p=98}}  There are exceptions, such as the Rastafari movement and the Nation of Islam, which have primarily attracted Black members.{{sfn|Barker|1989|p=14}}

A popular conception, unsupported by evidence, holds that those who convert to new religions are either mentally ill or become so through their involvement with them.{{sfn|Barker|1989|pp=55–56}}  [[Dick Anthony]], a [[forensic psychologist]] noted for his writings on the [[brainwashing]] controversy,<ref>[[Lorne L. Dawson|Dawson, Lorne L.]] ''Cults in context: readings in the study of new religious movements'', Transaction Publishers 1998, p. 340, {{ISBN|978-0-7658-0478-5}}</ref><ref>[[Thomas Robbins (sociologist)|Robbins, Thomas]]. ''In Gods we trust: new patterns of religious pluralism in America'', Transaction Publishers 1996, p. 537, {{ISBN|978-0-88738-800-2}}</ref> has defended NRMs, and in 1988 argued that involvement in such movements may often be beneficial: "There's a large research literature published in mainstream journals on the mental health effects of new religions. For the most part, the effects seem to be positive in any way that's measurable."<ref name="Sipchen">Sipchen, Bob (1988-11-17). [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-11-17-vw-257-story.html "Ten Years After Jonestown, the Battle Intensifies Over the Influence of 'Alternative' Religions"], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''</ref>