Abstract This article begins by contrasting psychology/psychiatry's traditional antagonism toward religion with the newer, more positive approach reflected in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (1994). After a brief survey of relevant studies, it then explores the problems involved with psychological approaches to members of new religions through the example of studies of followers of Bhagwan Rajneesh. It concludes by outlining a series of unresolved issues regarding the psychology of new religious movement membership.