Explanations of the growth of NRMs 3
- Created by: chicalatina
- Created on: 18-03-14 11:42
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- Explanations of the growth of NRMs 3
- Growth of New Age
- They cover wide range of beliefs and activities.
- Heelas - two common themes that characterise the NA
- Self-spirituality - seek the spiritual as they have turned away traditional religions.
- De-traditionalisation - rejects the spiritual authority of external sources (priests/texts) and values personal experiences and believe they can find the truth themselves.
- NA beliefs vary, may include world-affirming beliefs which help succeed in wider society, but also includes world-rejecting elements to allow individuals to achieve englightenment in their inner world.
- New Age/ Postmodernity
- Drane - appeal is due to a loss in faith in meta-narratives (claims of 'truth').
- Science promises progress to a better world but it has given war, genocide etc.
- People loose faith in experts and as a result turn to NA where they can find the truth themselves looking within.
- New Age/ Modernity
- Bruce - appeal is due to modernity as it values individualism (key principle of NA).
- Particularly important value to those in 'expressive proffesions' e.g. social workers.
- NA are softer versions of traditional eastern religions e.g. Buddhism which is why activities of NA are audience of client cults as they make fewer demands.
- NA 'pick and mix spiritual shopping' reflects consumerist ethos.
- Heelas - sees the NA and modernity linked in four ways:
- Source of identity - individuals have different roles that overlap leading to a fragmentd society; NA offers an authentic identity.
- Consumer culture - dissatisfaction as it never delivers perfection; NA offers an alternative way to achieve perfection.
- Rapid social change - modern society it disrupts established norms and values; NA provides a sense of certainty and truth like sects.
- Decline of organised religion - modernity leads to secularisation thereby removing the traditional alternatives.
- Growth of New Age
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