types of religious organisation

• While some people hold religious beliefs without belonging to any organised group (b____ without b____), many others express their faith through m____ of a religious organisation such as a church.

• Sociologists are interested in the different t___ of religious organisation, how they d___ and w___ joins them.

• While some people hold religious beliefs without belonging to any organised group (believing without belonging), many others express their faith through membership of a religious organisation such as a church.

• Sociologists are interested in the different types of religious organisation, how they develop and who joins them.

what are 4 types of religious organisations?

1. churches

2. sects

3. denominations

4. cults

Church and sect

• The first attempt to identify the f____ of d___ types of r____ o____ was by T____ (1912; 1980). He distinguished between two main types - the church and the sect.

• Churches are l___ o____, often with m____ of m___ such as the C___ C___, run by a b____ h___ of professional priests, and they claim a m___ of the t___.

• They are u____, aiming to i___ the w___ of s___, although they tend to be more attractive to the higher classes - why? For example, the British sovereign is head of both the s___ and the C___ of E____. They place few d___ on their members.

• By contrast, Troeltsch sees sects as s__, e__ groups.

• Unlike churches, sects are h____ to w____ society and they expect a high level of c____. They draw their members from the p___ and o___.

• what is a clear example of a sect?

• Many are led by a c____ leader rather than a b____ hierarchy.

• what is the only similarity with churches?

Church and sect

• The first attempt to identify the features of different types of religious organisation was by Troeltsch (1912; 1980). He distinguished between two main types - the church and the sect.

• Churches are large organisations, often with millions of members such as the Catholic Church, run by a bureaucratic hierarchy of professional priests, and they claim a monopoly of the truth.

• They are universalistic, aiming to include the whole of society, although they tend to be more attractive to the higher classes because they are ideologically conservative and often closely linked to the state. For example, the British sovereign is head of both the state and the Church of England. They place few demands on their members.

• By contrast, Troeltsch sees sects as small, exclusive groups.

• Unlike churches, sects are hostile to wider society and they expect a high level of commitment. They draw their members from the poor and oppressed.

• A clear example of a sect is Jehovah’s Witnesses (a small, exclusive group with high commitment and beliefs that set them apart from wider society).the people

• Many are led by a charismatic leader rather than a bureaucratic hierarchy.

• The only similarity with churches is that sects too believe they have a monopoly of religious truth.

Denomination and cult

• In addition to the church and sect, sociologists have identified other types of religious organisation.

• N____ (1929) describes d___ (cuts of religion) such as M___ as lying m____ between c____ and s___-

• Membership is less e____ than a sect, but they don't a___ to the whole of s___ like a church. Like churches, they broadly accept society's values, but are not l___ to the state.

• They impose some m___ r____ on members, such as forbidding a____, but are not as demanding as s____.

• Unlike both church and sect, they are t____ of other religious organisations and do not claim a m___ of the t___

A fourth type of religious organisation - and the least o___ of all - is the cult.

• This is a highly i____, l___-k___ and usually small grouping around some s____ t___ and interests, but usually without a sharply d____ and exclusive belief system.

• Cults are usually led by ‘p___' or 't___' who claim s___ k____

• Like denominations, cults are usually t___ of i___ organisations and their beliefs.

• Cults do not demand strong commitment from followers, who are often more like customers or trainees than members_ what does this mean?

• They may have little further i____ with the cult once they have acquired the beliefs or techniques it offers. Many cults are w____-a___, claiming to improve l__ in this world

Denomination and cult

• In addition to the church and sect, sociologists have identified other types of religious organisation.

• Niebuhr (1929) describes denominations (cuts of religion) such as Methodism as lying midway between churches and sects- Membership is less exclusive than a sect, but they don't appeal to the whole of society like a church. Like churches, they broadly accept society's values, but are not linked to the state.

• They impose some minor restrictions on members, such as forbidding alcohol, but are not as demanding as sects.

• Unlike both church and sect, they are tolerant of other religious organisations and do not claim a monopoly of the truth

A fourth type of religious organisation - and the least organised of all - is the cult.

• This is a highly individualistic, loose-knit and usually small grouping around some shared themes and interests, but usually without a sharply defined and exclusive belief system.

• Cults are usually led by ‘practitioners' or 'therapists' who claim special knowledge.

• Like denominations, cults are usually tolerant of other organisations and their beliefs.

• Cults do not demand strong commitment from followers, who are often more like customers or trainees than members.

• customers → they “use” the group for a service (e.g. meditation, therapy, self-help)

• trainees → they learn or try something for personal benefit, then can leave easily

• They may have little further involvement with the cult once they have acquired the beliefs or techniques it offers. Many cults are world-affirming, claiming to improve life in this world

Similarities and differences

In summing up the similarities and differences between religious organisations, Wallis (1984) highlights two characteristics:

what are they?

Similarities and differences

In summing up the similarities and differences between religious organisations, Wallis (1984) highlights two characteristics:

• How they see themselves- Churches and sects claim that their interpretation of the faith is the only legitimate or correct one. Denominations and cults accept that there can be many valid interpretations.

• How they are seen by wider society- Churches and denominations are seen as respectable and legitimate, whereas sects and cults are seen as deviant.

From cathedrals to cults

• what do sociologists argue?

• For example, B___ (1996) argues that T____ idea of a church as having a r___ m____ only applies to the C___ C___ before the th century P____ R___, when it had a religious monopoly over s____, symbolised by its m___ and i___ c___.

• The P____ R___ s___ the C___ C____ and led to the creation of P____ churches, breaking its m____

• Since then, sects and cults have f___ and r___ d___ has become the n__.

• In today's society, churches are no longer truly churches in T____ sense because they have lost their m___ and been reduced to the status of d____ competing with all the rest.

From cathedrals to cults

• Sociologists argue that some of the above descriptions of religious organisations (church, sect, denomination, cult) do not fit today's reality.

• For example, Bruce (1996) argues that Troeltsch's idea of a church as having a religious monopoly only applies to the Catholic Church before the 16th century Protestant Reformation, when it had a religious monopoly over society, symbolised by its massive and imposing cathedrals.

• The Protestant Reformation split the Catholic Church and led to the creation of Protestant churches, breaking its monopoly

• Since then, sects and cults have flourished and religious diversity has become the norm.

• In today's society, churches are no longer truly churches in Troeltsch's sense because they have lost their monopoly and been reduced to the status of denominations competing with all the rest.

New religious movements

• Since the 19____, there has been an e____ in the number of new religions and organisations

• This has led to new attempts to c___ them.

• W____ (1984) categorises these new religious movements (NRMs) into three groups - what are these?

New religious movements

• Since the 1960s, there has been an explosion in the number of new religions and organisations

• This has led to new attempts to classify them.

• Wallis (1984) categorises these new religious movements (NRMs) into three groups based on their relationship to the outside world - whether they:

1. reject the world ( World-rejecting NRMs)

2. accommodate to it ( World-accommodating NRMs

3. or affirm it ( World-affirming NRMs)

New religious movements → World-rejecting NRMs

• These are similar to T___ s____- For example, J___ m____ led by J____ J____, where members lived c___ and were cut off from wider society).

• They v___ greatly in s___, from a h___ of members to h___ of t__.

They have several characteristics:

• They are clearly religious organisations with a clear notion of G___.

• They are highly c____ of the o___ w___ and they expect or seek r___ c___.

• To achieve s___, members must make a sharp b___ with their f___ life.

• Members live c___, with restricted c___ with the outside world. The movement c___ all aspects of their lives and is often accused of what?

• They often have c____ m___ c___, for example about sex.

New religious movements → World-rejecting NRMs

• These are similar to Troeltsch's sects- For example, Jonestown massacre led by Jim Jones, where members lived communally and were cut off from wider society).

• They vary greatly in size, from a handful of members to hundreds of thousands.

They have several characteristics:

• They are clearly religious organisations with a clear notion of God.

• They are highly critical of the outside world and they expect or seek radical change.

• To achieve salvation, members must make a sharp break with their former life.

• Members live communally, with restricted contact with the outside world. The movement controls all aspects of their lives and is often accused of 'brainwashing' them.

• They often have conservative moral codes, for example about sex.

New religious movements → World-affirming NRMS

These groups d____ from all other religious groups and may lack what?

However, like religions, they offer their followers access to s____ or s___ powers. Examples include S___

Features:

• They a___ the world as it is. They are o____ and promise followers s____ in terms of mainstream goals and values, such as c___ and personal r___.

• They are non-exclusive and t___ of other religions, but claim to offer a____ s___ for t____ that enable followers to unlock their own s___ p___ and achieve s____ or overcome problems such as u___ or i___. They have been described as p___ religions offering this-worldly gratification.

• Most are c____, whose followers are often c___ rather than m___, and entry is through training. The movement places few demands on them and they carry on normal lives.

• In general, world-affirming NRMs have been the most s___ of the movements Wallis studied. S___ has grown much more rapidly in the UK than the Moonies.

New religious movements → World-affirming NRMS

These groups differ from all other religious groups and may lack some of the conventional features of religion, such as collective worship, and some are not highly organised.

However, like religions, they offer their followers access to spiritual or supernatural powers. Examples include Scientology

Features:

• They accept the world as it is. They are optimistic and promise followers success in terms of mainstream goals and values, such as careers and personal relationships.

• They are non-exclusive and tolerant of other religions, but claim to offer additional special knowledge or et techniques that enable followers to unlock their own spiritual powers and achieve success or overcome problems such as unhappiness or illness. They have been described as psychologising religions offering this-worldly gratification.

• Most are cults, whose followers are often customers rather than members, and entry is through training. The movement places few demands on them and they carry on normal lives.

• In general, world-affirming NRMs have been the most successful of the movements Wallis studied. Scientology has grown much more rapidly in the UK than the Moonies.

New religious movements → Evaluation

✓- Wallis offers a useful way of c_____ the new religious movements that have developed in recent decades. Many sociologists find such t____ useful as a way of an____ and comparing the s____ features of NRMs.

✘- However, some argue that it is not clear whether he is categorising them according to the m___ t____, or i___ m____' beliefs. He also ianores the d___ of beliefs that may exist within an NRM.

✘- Wallis himself recognises that real NRMs will r___ f____ neatly into his t____ (list of types) and some, such as 3HO (the H___ H___ H____ O___), may have features of all three types.

✘-However, S___ and B____ (1986) reject the idea of c____ such t____ altogether. Instead, they argue that we should d____ between religious organisations using just one c____ - the degree of c___ or tension between the religious group and wider society.

New religious movements → Evaluation

✓- Wallis offers a useful way of classifying the new religious movements that have developed in recent decades. Many sociologists find such typologies useful as a way of analysing and comparing the significant features of NRMs.

✘- However, some argue that it is not clear whether he is categorising them according to the movement's teachings, or individual members' beliefs. He also ianores the diversity of beliefs that may exist within an NRM.

✘- Wallis himself recognises that real NRMs will rarely fit neatly into his typology (list of types) and some, such as 3HO (the Healthy Happy Holy Organisation), may have features of all three types.

✘-However, Stark and Bainbridge (1986) reject the idea of constructing such typologies altogether. Instead, they argue that we should distinguish between religious organisations using just one criterion - the degree of conflict or tension between the religious group and wider society.

Sects and cults

• S____ and B____ identify two kinds of organisation that are in conflict with wider society - sects and cults:

• Sects result from schisms - s___ in e___ o____. why do they break away from churches?

• Cults are new religions, such as S__ and Christian Science, or ones new to that particular society that have been imported, such as TM.

• In general, Stark and Bainbridge see sects as promising what? to who?

• By contrast, cults tend to offer this-worldly benefits (e.g. good health) to more p____ i____ who are suffering psychic deprivation (n____) and o___ deprivation (health problems).

Sects and cults

• Stark and Bainbridge identify two kinds of organisation that are in conflict with wider society - sects and cults:

• Sects result from schisms - splits in existing organisations. They break away from churches usually because of disagreements about doctrine.

• Cults are new religions, such as Scientology and Christian Science, or ones new to that particular society that have been imported, such as TM.

• In general, Stark and Bainbridge see sects as promising other-worldly benefits (e.g. a place in heaven) to those suffering economic deprivation or ethical deprivation (where their values conflict with wider society).

• By contrast, cults tend to offer this-worldly benefits (e.g. good health) to more prosperous individuals who are suffering psychic deprivation (normlessness) and organismic deprivation (health problems).

Sects and cults

Stark and Bainbridge subdivide cults according to how organised they are.

• A_____ cults are the l____ o____ and do not involve f____ membership or much commitment. There is little i____ between m___. An example is C____ h___- People engage with it i____ (e.g. b___ c____, watching c___ online) There’s no f____ m___ or s___ c____, just loose p____ through m____ or p___ i___.

• C____ cults are based on the relationship between a c____ and a c____, and provide s____ to their followers. In the past, they were often purveyors of m____ m____, c___ with the d____ etc, but the emphasis has s____ to 't____' promising p____ f___ and s___-d___.

• C____ m____ are the most o____ and demand a higher level of commitment than other cults. The movement aims to do what? and unlike followers of audience and client cults, they are rarely allowed to do what! Some well publicised D____ cults that p___ the e____ of the world and practise m___ s___ may be best seen as cultic movements.

Sects and cults

Stark and Bainbridge subdivide cults according to how organised they are.

• Audience cults are the least organised and do not involve formal membership or much commitment. There is little interaction between members. An example id Crystal healing- People engage with it individually (e.g. buying crystals, watching content online) There’s no formal membership or strong commitment, just loose participation through media or personal interest.

• Client cults are based on the relationship between a consultant and a client, and provide services to their followers. In the past, they were often purveyors of medical miracles, contact with the dead etc, but the emphasis has shifted to 'therapies' promising personal fulfilment and self-discovery.

• Cultic movements are the most organised and demand a higher level of commitment than other cults. The movement aims to meet all its members' religious needs and unlike followers of audience and client cults, they are rarely allowed to belong to other religious groups at the same time. Some well publicised Doomsday cults that predict the end of the world and practise mass suicide may be best seen as cultic movements.

Sects and cults→evaluation

✓- Stark and Bainbridge make some useful d____ between organisations. For example, their idea of using the d___ of c___ with w___ s____ to distinguish between them is similar to T___ distinction between c___ (which a___ society) and s___ (which r___ society).

✗- However, some of the examples they use do not fit neatly into any one of their categories. A good example is Scientology - what is the example of scientology?

Sects and cults→evaluation

✓- Stark and Bainbridge make some useful distinctions between organisations. For example, their idea of using the degree of conflict with wider society to distinguish between them is similar to Troeltsch's distinction between church (which accepts society) and sect (which rejects society).

✗- However, some of the examples they use do not fit neatly into any one of their categories. A good example is Scientology.

→ It doesn’t fit neatly because:

• it has features of a cult (focus on self-development, like a therapy)

• but also features of a sect/organisation (structured hierarchy, strong commitment, and control)

So it blurs the boundaries between categories, showing Stark and Bainbridge’s typology isn’t always clear-cut.