religious organisation

types of religious organisations:

Church

Denomination

Sect

Cult

Inclusive - but attracts members of the upper/middle class

Inclusive - but attracts members of the working class

exclusive

inclusive

Hierarchy of paid officials

Hierarchy of paid officials

Lacks a professional hierarchy, often headed by a charismatic leader

Minimal organisational structure (with the exception of cultic movements)

yes 

no

yes

no

Not very high

Moderate - may be discouraged from certain activities but no absolute restrictions

Very high - total commitment

Very little

Respectable - traditionally conservative and supports the status quo

Respectable - just like churches

Depends - established sects tend to be respectable while short-lived sects tend to be deviant

Respectable - but is often a dynamic force

World-accommodating 

World-accommodating

World-rejecting

World-affirming

types of cults (stark and bainbridge):

  • client cult: provides a one-to-one service often achieved through expensive short courses and products

  • audience cult: highly individualistic, with a vague mystical element, requiring a low level of contact or participation

    • tends to attract people too interested in a range of ideas to commit to just one

  • cultic movement: more organisation and commitment than the previous two - aims to meet the needs of all members who are often not allowed to belong to other groups

3 types of “new religious movements” (wallis):

world-affirming (corresponds to cults):

  • requires little commitment to belong. many drift in and out

  • aim to help find fulfilment in the current world

  • often lacks the “typical” characteristics of a religion

world-accommodating (corresponds to denominations):

  • often offshoots of existing major churches

  • simply live with the world as it is

  • some groups aim to restore spiritual purity to a religion

  • concerned with religious instead of worldly questions

world-rejecting (corresponds to sects):

  • critical of the outside world

  • “total institutions”: these often ask you to leave your previous life behind and they control your new life

  • commitment to an ascetic lifestyle

  • often associated with “brainwashing” members