Beliefs in Society 4

Religious organisations and CAGE

What is the church’s organisational structure?

Clear hierarchy

What is the church’s relationship with the state?

Close

What is the church’s organisational structure?

Clear hierarchy

What is the church’s relationship with the state?

Close

What is the church’s attitudes to wider society and other religion?

Claims monopoly of truth

What is the church’s membership?

Worldwide

What is the church’s commitment?

Few demand

What is a denomination’s organisation structure?

Clear hierarchy

What is a denomination’s relationship with the state?

Coexist

What is a denomination’s attitudes to wider society and other religions?

Tolerant and don’t claim monopoly

What is a denomination’s membership?

Bigger than sects but not as large as the church - often family

What is a denomination’s commitment?

Some minor restrictions

What is a sect’s organisational structure?

Dominated by charismatic leader

What is a sect’s relationship with the state?

Oppose the state

What is a sect’s attitudes to wider society and other religions?

Claim monopoly and emerged to challenge church

What is a sect’s membership?

Poor and oppressed most likely to join

What is a sect’s commitment?

High

What is a cult’s organisational structure?

Least formal

What is a cult’s relationship with the state?

Coexist

What is a cult’s attitude to wider society and other religions?

Coexist

What is a cult’s membership?

University educated middle class

What is a cult’s commitment?

Require fee to join and often short-term

What did Stark and Bainbridge identify as the 3 types of cult?

• Audience

• Client

• Cult movement

What is an audience cult?

Least organised, no formal membership, little interaction between members

What is a client cult?

Personal fulfillment and self discovery

What is a cult movement?

Higher commitment

What are the main features of NRMs (cult/sect)?

• Charismatic leader

• Young adults

• Spirituality

• Monopoly

• Short-term

• Chosen ones

What are Wallis’ categories for NRMs?

• World affirming

• World accommodating

• World rejecting

What are world affirming NRMs?

Individualistic and self-improvement

What are world accommodating NRMs?

Accept norms and values but place high value on inner religious life with a belief in exorcism

What are world rejecting NRMs?

Replace norms and values with alternative ones

What is an example of a world affirming NRM?

Scientology

What is an example of a world accommodating NRM?

Pentecostalism

What is an example of a world rejecting NRM?

Moonies

What is Weber’s theodicy of disprivilege?

Religion justifies disadvantage

What is social deprivation?

Lack of power

What is spiritual deprivation?

Wealthy people look to have spiritual fulfillment as they have achieved power

What does Wilson argue about sects?

Arise during periods of rapid social change

What are the reasons sects die out according to Niebuhr?

• Less commitment from the second generation

• Embrace materialism

• Death of charismatic leader

What are the 2 types of sect according to Wilson?

• Conversionist

• Adventist

What is a conversionist?

Attempt to convert people to their beliefs

What is an adventist?

God will return to judge people and only sect members will go to heaven

What does Heelas define NAMs as?

Like cults but subscribe to commercialism of mainstream marketplace (include self-spirituality and de-traditionalisation)

Who identifies spiritual and social deprivation?

Glock and Stark

What is the theodicy of good fortune?

Justification for wealth

What is the average age of church congregation?

62

What is the percentage of Muslims who say religion is important in their lives?

74%

What is the percentage of White Anglicans who say religion is important in their lives?

11%

What is the percentage of female congregation in church?

65%

What social class is most likely to attend C of E?

Middle

What social class is most likely to attend Catholic Church?

Working

What social class is most likely to be a Quaker?

Middle

What social class is most likely to be a Methodist?

Working

What does Lawes argue about the working class?

More likely to be life long believers

What does Voas and Watt argue about middle class church attendance?

Only happens to ensure their children are enrolled in better state schools

Why are older people more likely to be involved in religious activity?

• Disengagement from society

• Religious socialisation

• Ill health

Why is there a decline in young people taking part in religion?

• Expanding spiritual market

• Declining religious education

• Boring and old fashioned

• Social pressure

Why are women more likely to be a part of a religion according to Miller and Hoffman?

• Gender socialisation

• Less likely to be in paid work

• Don’t want to risk eternal damnation

What does Davie argue?

Women more aware of the vulnerability of human life due to greater participation in caring roles

Why are NAMs appealing to women?

• Associated with healing role

• Aware of life’s vulnerability

• Self-conscious and want to improve

• Low commitment and fits into lives

What does Modood et al argue?

Religion helps cope with racism

What is an evaluation of Bruce arguing that women are naturally religious as they are healing?

Most research is focused on Chritianity

What is a criticism of Modood et al?

Not all ethnic minorities embrace religion

What did Bruce argue about ethnic minorities and religion?

• Cultural defense

• Cultural transition

What is cultural defense?

Helps cope with racism

What is cultural transition?

Helps settle into a new area

What is a criticism of cultural defense and transition?

Suggests that people aren’t religious when they can be