Guide to the J. Gordon Melton papers ARC Mss 20

Processed by Special Collections staff, latest revision by Leland Riddlesperger.

UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections

University of California, Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara 93106-9010

special@library.ucsb.edu

URL: http://www.library.ucsb.edu/special-collections

2012; revised 2019

Title: J. Gordon Melton papers

Identifier/Call Number: ARC Mss 20

Language of Material: English

Contributing Institution: UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections

Creator: Melton, J. Gordon

Physical Description: 55 linear feet (approximately 40 document boxes and cartons; 8 file cabinet drawers)

Date (inclusive): circa 1950s-2000s

Abstract: The collection contains files accumulated by J. Gordon Melton during the course of his research, writing, and testimony as an expert witness in court cases related to various religious groups.

Physical Location: Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library

Access Restrictions

Boxes 1-17 are open for research. Part of the collection is stored off-site; advance notice required for retrieval. Some legal files closed, as noted in container list.

Use Restrictions

Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Research Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Research Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Research Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of Item], J. Gordon Melton papers, ARC Mss 20. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Acquisition Information

Multiple gifts from J. Gordon Melton, circa 1980s-2006; additions anticipated.

Scope and Content of Collection

The collection contains files accumulated by J. Gordon Melton during the course of his research, writing, and testimony as an expert witness in court cases related to various religious groups.

Materials continue to be added to the collection and the collection continues to be processed.

Related Materials

American religions collection, ARC Mss 1. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Arrangement note

The collection contains the following series:

Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship (SFF).
Encyclopedia of American Religions (EAR).
Churches.
Bibliographical Files.
Biographical / Personal Files.
Correspondence.
Grants.
Lectures / Talks.
Publications / Writings.
ISAR (Institute for the Study of American Religions) Files.
Clippings.
Research / Subject Files.
Teaching Files.
Churches Speak Project.
Unsorted, Unidentified.
Legal Files.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

United States -- Religion

United States -- Church history

Sects -- United States

Cults -- United States

Evidence, Expert -- United States

Witnesses -- United States

United States -- Religion -- Directories

Case files

Clippings (information artifacts)

Correspondence

Files (Document groupings)

Lectures

Legal files

Publications (documents)

Writings (documents)

Melton, J. Gordon -- Archives

box 1-4

Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship

General note

Contains files, including correspondence, from the early 1970s when Gordon was a field rep for Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship (SFF) conducting leadership and fielding workshops around the country. SFF is an interfaith movement founded in 1956 to explore altered states of consciousness and mystical experiences through a blending of Eastern and Western traditions.

box 5

Encyclopedia of American Religions (EAR)

General note

4th edition files.

box 6

Churches

General note

Contains mostly sermons, church bulletins, and correspondence concerning Lake Highlands Methodist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Evanston, Illinois.

box 7

Bibliographical Files

General note

Includes typescript bibliographies by others on various religious groups and movements.

box 7

Biographical / Personal Files

General note

Includes awards, curriculum vitae, and photographs of J. Gordon Melton.

box 7

Correspondence

General note

Includes correspondence and flyers from various religious groups, arranged chronilogically. Also included are quiries about various religions.

box 7

Grants

General note

Grant information.

box 7

Lectures / Talks

General note

Arranged chronologically. Includes programs, publicity, etc.

"A Survey and Examination of Contemporary Satanism" - American Philosophical Association, Philosophers for Social Responsibility, Los Angeles Mar. 28, 1986

Religion and Violence Conference - guest lecturer, University of Kansas Mar. 1-2, 1987

box 8

Publications/Writings

General note

Copies of shorter works and files relating to works such as the Encyclopedia of America Religions [EAR] in its various editions.

Articles, Papers, and Shorter Pieces

General note

Includes typescript drafts, offprints and copies, with small amount of related correspondence.

General (file with several articles and related correspondence)

"The Attitude of Americans toward Hinduism from 1883 to 1983, with Special Reference to the International Society of Krishna Consciousness," ISAR 1985

"A Bibliography of Astrology in America, 1840-1940," rev. July 1989

"Communes in America, 1860-1960," circa 1984

"Confidence in God's Unseen World," [ca. 1970s?]

"The Cult Experience: A Response to the New Pluralism in American Religious Life," ISAR [ca. 1980s]

"Edgar Cayce and Reincarnation: Past Life Readings and Religious Symbology," paper presented at the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion 1990

Fate book reviews (book review editor)

"The Feminist Theme of Early New Thought," n.d.

"The Flowering of the 'New Religious Consciousness' - Factors in Its Sudden Growth," 1983

" The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow: A Christian Response," EAR 1985

"A Minister Speaks Out on the Psychic & the Devil," Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship [ca. 1970s]

"An Open Letter Concerning the Local Church, Witness Lee and The God-Men Controversy," ISAR 1985

"The Origins of Contemporary Neo-Paganism: A Report of Research in Progress," paper presented at the Popular Culture Association 1980

"Planning and Program Priorities for the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church: A Report on a Survey of the Churches," 1984

"The Politics at Professionalism's Funeral" (about anti-cult network), with James R. Lewis, n.d.

"Psychology and Religion Go to Court - Again," James R. Lewis and J. Gordon Melton 1987

"Sources and Resources for Teaching the Occult," paper prepared for 1976 meeting of the Midwest Popular Culture Association

"Spiritualization and Reaffirmation: What Really Happens When Prophecy Fails," 1985

"The Theosophical Communities and Their Ideal of Universal Brotherhood," n.d.

"Unity School of Christianity and Related Organizations: A Preliminary Bibliography," compiled by Dell deChant and J. Gordon Melton 1990

"The Western Way with Reincarnation," originally published as "The Bible and Reincarnation," 1971

Monographs, Directories, etc.

General note

Includes some early drafts, correspondence, publicity, reviews, and other related material; generally not uncorrected page proofs. [file cabinet 42/2].

box-folder 42/2

Afro-American Holiness-Pentecostal Bibliography - draft printout 1987

box-folder 42/2

Astrology book - mainly typescript draft circa 1983

box-folder 42/2

Biographical Dictionary of American Cult and Sect Leaders (1986)

box-folder 42/2

The Churches Speak series

box-folder 42/2

The Churches Speak On - Sex and Family Life (1991)

box-folder 42/2

Cults and New Religions (24 volume facsimile series of rare books and pamphlets), edited by J.Gordon Melton [ca. 1990]

box-folder 42/2

Encyclopedia of American Religions (EAR) - files relating to different editions

box-folder 42/2

Encyclopedia of American Religions (EAR): Religious Creeds (1988)

box-folder 42/2

Encyclopedic Handbook of Cults in America (1986; 1992)

box-folder 42/2

New Age Almanac (1991)

box-folder 42/2

New Age Encyclopedia (1990)

box-folder 42/2

Religions Directory International - Canada (early version of International Directory of the World's Religions?)

box-folder 42/2

Religious Leaders of America (1991)

box-folder 42/2

Religious Requirements and Practices of Certain Selected Groups: A Handbook for Chaplains [U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Chief of Chaplains, Contract No. MDA903-90-C-0062] [ca. early 1990s]

box-folder 42/2

Sects and Cults in America: Bibliographical Guides, J. Gordon Melton general editor

box-folder 42/2

The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead

box-folder 42/2

Why Cults Succeed Where the Church Fails - Ronald M. Enroth and J. Gordon Melton

Publishers

General note

Includes contracts, correspondence, and related materials.

Gale

Garland

McGrath

box 9

ISAR (Institute for the Study of American Religions) Files

General note

Including correspondence, brochures, and pamphlets.

box 10-11

Clippings

General note

Photocopies of news clippings relating to church and religious studies.

box 12-13

Research / Subject Files

General note

Groups, individuals, projects, subjects, and unsorted materials.

Alphabetical

African Peoples Christian Organization

Afro-American

American Indian

Archives

Bishops

Buddhism (incl. Korean and Vietnamese)

Church Archives

Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic)

Communal Society - Pacific Coast

Communities

Cults

Cults and Sects in America - David G. Bromley and Jeffrey K. Hadden circa 1990

The Family

Islam

Judaism

LDS/Mormons

Lutherans

Paganism and Wicca

Psychic

Scientology

Scientology - June D. Littler bibliography 1988

Theosophy

Voodoo

Wilcox, Laird

Unidentified/Unsorted

General note

[10 cartons and file cabinet 45/1].

box 14

Teaching Files

General note

Course outlines and related material, mainly UCSB courses taught by J. Gordon Melton.

box 15-16

Churches Speak Project

General note

Statements, correspondence, and other documents from various churches and church groups regarding hot-button issues such as abortion and gay marriage.

box 17

Unsorted, Unidentified

General note

Contains catalogs, conference programs, correspondence, fliers, lecture notes, and religious tracts.

box [SRLF]

Legal Files

General note

Mainly copies of depositions, testimony, and exhibits relating to court cases for which Melton was asked to be an expert witness. SOME FILES CLOSED, pending staff and donor review. Some cases may contain confidential material re minors and/or attorney-client privilege. These files are stored off-site at the Southern Regional Library Facility (SRLF).

box 1

Ballard vs. United States of America 1942

General note

Charge of fraud against the I Am movement / St. Germain Foundation, with Donald Ballard Pres. and Edna W. Ballard as Sec. U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals case, upon appeal from the District Court of the U.S. for the Southern District of California, Central Division. Open. 1 doc. box.

box 2

Brown vs. Woodland Joint Unified School District Court Records 1991

General note

Douglas E. Brown and Katherine E. Brown vs. Woodland Joint Unified School District. USDC C-91-00R WBS-PAN (Easterm District of California). Case involving witchcraft charge against the school district for using Harcourt-Brace Jovanovich, Inc. 'Impressions' reading series. Gordon Melton testified as expert witness in this case. Includes copies of declarations and depositions. Also some material relating to later appeal. Open. 1 carton.

box 3

Church Universal and Triumphant Court Records circa 1980s

General note

Closed. 1 carton.

box 4-5

Hunziker vs. Applied Materials, Inc. Court Records circa 1989-early 1990s

General note

Scientology case. Closed. 2 cartons.

Lee vs. Duddy Court Records circa 1983-1984

General note

Copies of depositions, exhibits, indexes, summaries, testimony, and other related to case of Witness Lee (Living Stream Ministry), et al, vs Neil T. Duddy (Spiritual Counterfeits Project), et al. Open. 17 cartons.

box 6

Adeney, David

box 6

Albrecht, Mark

box 6

Alexander, Brooks

box 7

Alexander, Brooks (cont.)

box 7

Alexander, John

box 7

Ball, Francis Duff

box 7

Bjornstad, James

box 7

Braun, Jon Edward

box 7

Brooks, David

box 7

Buckley, Jack Richard

box 8

Buckley (cont.)

box 8

Cox, Harvey

box 8

Davis, Steve

box 8

Duddy, Neil T.

box 9-10

Duddy (cont.)

box 11

Duddy (cont.)

box 11

Enroth, Ronald (cont.)

box 12

Enroth (cont.)

box 12

Fessel, Andrew

box 12

Fetcho, David S.

box 12

Freeman, William T.

box 12

Gruhler, Eugene

box 12

Hearn, Virginia

box 12

Hyde, Alan Douglas

box 13

Ingalls, John C.

box 13

Lee, Philip

box 13

Lee, Witness

box 13

Lin, Bellman

box 13

Liu, Y. C.

box 13

McLeish, James M.

box 14

Northrup, Peter

box 14

Nyquist, James F.

box 14

Painter, Joel

box 14

Palmer, Earl F.

box 14

Shinnick, Andrew

box 14

Sire, James W.

box 15

Smith, Bob

box 15

Sparks, Jack

box 15

Sproul, R. C.

box 15

Squires, William

box 16

Squires (cont.)

box 16

Summy, Florence

box 16

Swanson, Allen J.

box 16

Wallerstedt, Alan Worth

Godmen Exhibits (Plaintiff exhibits for various depositions)

box 17

Nos. 28-156 (some #s missing)

box 18

Nos. 157-379 (some #s missing)

box 19

Nos. 380-392 (some #s missing)

box 20

Nos. 394-405 (some #s missing)

box 20

Miscellany - incl. correspondence with Melton

Mozert vs. Hawkins County Public Schools Court Records circa 1983, 1986-1987

General note

Bob Mozert, et al vs Hawkins County Public Schools, et al. Case involving textbooks. U.S. District Court, E. District of Tennessee, N.E. Division. C.I.V. No. 2-83401. Includes copies of the textbooks, depositions, exhibits, transcripts of proceedings. Open. 2 cartons and 1 document box.

box 21

1983, 1986

box 22

n.d. 1986-1987,

Miscellany

box 22

"Churches and Religious Organizations in Hawkins County and Contiguous Counties"

box 23

Humanism

box 23

Phone Book Entries

box 23

Textbooks

Singer [Margaret] Court Records circa 1950s-early 1990s

General note

Mainly copies of testimony in various 'cult' related cases and as plaintiff. Also files re qualifications of Singer as expert witness, criticisms of her, writings by and about her. Open. 3 cartons.

Legal Cases - mainly testimony/depositions by Singer as expert witness

box 24

Christofferson [Julie] v. Scientology

box 24

Dole [Barbara] v. Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, et al

box 24

"Feeling Therapy" Case - Richard J. Corriere

box 24

George [Robin] v. International Society for Krishna Consciousness, etc.

box 24

Hunziker [Steven], Kate Schuchmann, Virginia Sanders v. Applied Materials, Inc.; Applied Scholastics, Inc.; World Institute of Scientology Enterprises ...

box 25

Local Church Testimony - Witness Lee

box 25

Lowder, Kennedy, et al v. Snap-on Tools Corp., et al

box 25

Millman, Jerome vs. Sun Myung Moon, et al

box 25

Molko, David, and Tracy Leal v. Holy Spirit Association to the Unification of World Christianity, et al

box 25

Roseman, Cynthia, and Phillip Burnstein ... v. Isadore Trachtman

box 25

Singer, Margaret, and Richard Ofshe v. American Psychological Association, et al

box 25

Trachtman

box 25

Weaver, Russell v. Grodins of California, et al

box 25

Wollersheim, Larry v. Church of Scientology of California, et al

box 26

Wollersheim (cont.)

Miscellany re Singer

box 26

About Singer - mainly articles

box 26

American Psychological Association - Amicus Curiae brief re limit of behavioral sciences assistance to legal system in evaluating individuals' volitional capacities

box 26

Criticism of Singer

box 26

Ethics Complaint against Singer

box 26

Gann, L. H. - "Dr. Margaret Singer: An Evaluation of Her Work"

box 26

Lecture by Singer

box 26

Singer as Expert Witness

box 26

Singer as Panelist

box 26

Writings by Singer 1950s-1980s

Unification Church Court Records circa 1980s

General note

Copies of records many relating to court case of Molko vs. Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, ultimately decided in favor of the Unification Church; also materials, mainly articles, by and about the Unification Church, and a series of interviews conducted with Unification Church members. Open. 3 cartons.

box 27

Molko Case 1983-1989

box 27

U.S.A. v Moon 1981-1982

box 28

U.S.A. v. Moon, n.d. 1983-1985

Unification Church - Miscellany

box 28

About - articles, correspondence, reports and other material about the Unification Church

box 28

By - articles and other material by Sung Myung Moon and other Unification Church leaders and members

box 28

Colorado Litigation

box 29

Interview Transcripts - Fred [?] interviewer 1976

General note

May relate to tapes in ARC Mss 1 collection: Unification Church - Unidentified numbered series - mainly interviews with church members re how they were attracted to the church, many in Europe, interviewer not identified, ca. 1970s-1990s (43 tapes). Tape #s A11211-53/CS.

box 29

Legal Documents - other cases

box 29

New York Litigation

Packets - mainly articles about the Unification Church circa 1974-1980

box 29

Info Pack

box 29

1974-1978

box 30

1979-1980

box 30

Vermont Litigation

Miscellaneous Court Records circa 1980s-1990s

General note

Several different cases involving various religious groups. Gordon Melton testified as expert witness for some. Includes court records and related evidence, some pertaining to minors and attorney/client privilege. Closed. Boxes 31-33.