Beliefs - Types of religious organisation

What are the 4 kinds of religious organisation?

church, denomination, sects and cults

What is a church?

multi- layered hierarchical structure with professional clergy which has a large membership is centuries or more old and places few demands on it’s followers

What is an example of a church?

Roman Catholic church

What is a denomination?

a sect which has become more successful with professional and volunteer clergy with a large community that places more demands on its followers eg evangilisation

What is a sect?

resolves around a charasmatic leader with a supernatural power with no professional clergy and a short lifespan which requires total devotion

What is an example of a sect?

‘Moonies’ or the Unification church

What is a cult?

organisation with a loose structure, with no supernatural association and a small clientele who buy the services which attracts people who are looking for spiritual fulfilment

What is an example of a cult?

Scientology

What are the three kinds of new religious movements according to Wallis?

world accommodating, world affirming, world rejecting

What is a world accommodating movement?

religious movements which pays less attention to the outside world

What is a world affirming movement?

a movement which is less religious which has members who pay to participate and goes along with modern society

What is a world rejecting movement?

a movement which is very critical of the outside world which expects serious change and is very religious and conservative

What is the evaluation of Wallis’ new religious movement?

ignores diversity of beliefs as organisations often fit into multiple categories

What are the three reasons for the growth of NRM?

marginalisation, social change, relative deprivation

How has marginalisation led to the rise of NRMs?

Weber - religion offers explanation and justification for suffering and disadvantages eg world rejecting groups recruiting young middle class people who are marginalised because they were a hippie

How has relative deprivation led to the rise of NRMs?

when someone feels deprived of community and break away from the mainstream in order to go along with a religions original message which benefits the deprived not the privileged through earthly rewards

How has social change led to the rise of NRMs?

the rapid change in norms and values has led to anomie so people turn to sects for norms and values

What is an example of social change leading to a NRM?

idustrial revolution led to the Methodist church which provided community and norms and values

How can social change lead to world rejecting NRMs?

offere people a more idealistic way of life

How can social change lead to world affirming NRMs?

provides a sense of identity and techniques to achieve success

How does Bruce define a sect?

a organisation resulting from a schism with another after disagreement

How does Bruce define a Cult?

a new religion which offers worldly benefits

What are the three reasons that sects are short lived?

problems maintaining commitment, loss of a leader, religious diversity

Why do sects struggle maintaining commitment?

second generations often struggle to follow the rules to the degree required so they leave

Why does loss of a leader result in a sect being short lived?

a charismatic leader will inspire loyalty this is difficult to transfer to their successor

Why does religious diversity result is sects being short lived?

range of spiritual ideas which you can explore without commitment ( pick n’ mix religion - Lyon)

What is the 1st stage of the sectarian cycle?

tension between deprived and privileged members of a group resulting in the deprived members breaking away

What is the 2nd stage of the sectarian cycle?

initial fervour in a charismatic leader and tension between the sect and wider society

What is the 3rd stage of the sectarian cycle?

denominationalism, fervour disappeared with second generation

What is the 4th stage of the sectarian cycle?

establishment where the sect becomes more accepting and tension reduces

What is the 5th stage of the sectarian cycle?

schism repeats itself where members break away to stay true to the original people

What does Wilson argue about the sectarian cycle?

not all sects follow this pattern as some will not compromise and become a denomination

What are the two kinds of sects according to Wilson?

conversionist sects and Adventist sects

What is a conversionist sect?

one that aims to convert others and normally becomes a denomination

What is a Adventist sect?

await the second coming of Christ and seek to be separated from the world to avoid corruption and will not compromise

How have certain Adventist sects survived?

they can socialise children into the religion through separating them from others

What are new age movements?

spiritual practices and beliefs with no hierarchy, holy books or buildings

What examples of new age movements?

astrology, tarot cards, crystal healing

What does Bruce believe about new age movements?

they reflect our modern society

What does Bauman say about NAM?

result of our post modern society where there is a lack of trust in traditional narratives and authority where NAM offers meaning and explanation

What are the two reasons for the rise is NAM according to Heelas?

self spirituality and identity crisis

Why has self spirtuality lead to NAM?

consumerism leaves people dissatisfied with their lived so they offer spirituality

Why has identity crisis lead to NAM?

we have a fragmented identity due to the decline of tradition and assimilation of cultures where NAM can offer an identity

What did Heelas and Woodhead find in the Kendal project?

traditional religion is on the decline and evangelical churches which focus on self improvement increased in popularity

What are the 3 reasons for nontraditional religion becoming more popular?

they emphasise exploring inner self, focus on thinking for yourself not obedience, emphasise spiritual healing and personal growth