Religious organisations

church

* formal organisation with hierarchy of officials
* accept + affirm life in this world, closely connected with the state
* open to all classes, don’t have to demonstrate faith to belong
* guard their monopoly of truth

Denomination

* formal organisation with a small hierarchy of officials
* generally accept societies norms + values, don’t identify with the sate
* some minor restrictions eg. drinking, gambling
* no monopoly of truth, tolerant of other religions

Sects (NRM’s)

* led by a charismatic leader who persuades others to follow them
* members reject norms + values and the state
* demand deep commitment eg. withdrawing from mainstream life
* believe they have the only truth

world accommodating NRM

Typically offshoots of existing religions, aiming to restore their spiritual purity.

Provide spiritual solace to help members daily lives.

world rejecting NRM

Demand high commitment

Seek radical individual transformation or social change

small groups led by a charismatic leader

world affirming NRM

often no god

few demands on members

offer to aid personal fulfillment

some are more organised and demanding eg. Scientology

New Age Movements

religious milieu - activity that’s spiritual, not religous

self sprituality

detraditionalisation - reject spiritual authority of external trad sources

why do people join sects and cults?

relative deprivation

social deprivation

theodicies of disprivalage - weber (1992) marginal groups

social change - Wilson (1982) creates anomie

pragmatism - escapism

status frustration - support for independant identity and status

secularisation - mainstream is to watered down

protest

evidence for NAM’s

kendall project!

why are sects short lived?

* problem of maintaining commitment + fervour
* loss of a charismatic leader
* changing circumstances of members + appeal of sects
* religious diversity

Are all sects short lived? - Alidridge

many sects have lasted as sects by maintaining strict standards, generational socialisation, not being dependent on a single leader

Are all sects short lived? - Wilson

conversion sects - become denominations

interventionist sects - can’t become denoms’, salvation comes from withdrawing from corrupting influences of the world

adventist/revolutionary sects - can’t become denoms’ as it would compromise their beliefs and exclusivity