New religious movements

Aldridge

Argues that new religious movements contain some of the most controversial social movements.

Wallis

Developed the category of new religious movements as the current typologies were outdated. He developed three categories:

World-rejecting NRMs - similar to sects

World-accommodating NRMs - mainly denominations

World-affirming NRMs - similar to cults

Barker

Argues that all NRMs suffer from a high turnover of members, suggesting that the need fulfilled by new NRMs is temporary.

Weber

NRMs attract individuals at the edge of society, and they provide theodicy of dispriviledge, or an explanation for their struggles. They will have a reward in the afterlife.

Wilson

People join NRMs as rapid social change disrupts norms, values and produces anomie.