Types of Religious orgnaistaions

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  • Types of Religious Organisation
    • Church
      • Large organisation
      • Run by a bureaucratic hierarchy
      • Claim monopoly of the truth
      • Universalistic, aiming to include whole of society
      • Tend to be more attractive to higher classes
      • Closely linked with state
      • Place few demands on members
    • Sect
      • Small, exclusive group
      • Hostile towards wider society
      • High level of commitment expected
      • Draw their members from the poor & oppressed
      • Led by charismatic leader
      • Believe to have monopoly of the truth
    • Denomination
      • Midway between churches & Sects
      • Membership is less exclusive than a sect but don't appeal to whole of society like a church
      • Broadly accept society's values
      • Aren't linked to state
      • Impose some minor restrictions on members
      • Don't claim monopoly of the truth
      • Tolerant of other religions
    • Cult
      • Least organised of all
      • Highly individualistic & loose-knit
      • Some shared themes & interests but usually without sharply defined belief system
      • Led by therapists who claim to have special knowledge
      • Tolerant of other organisations & their beliefs
      • Don't demand strong commitment
      • Many are world-affirming, claiming to improve life

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