Religious Organisations

• Multi layer hierarchal structure
• Professional clergy
• Large membership
• Inclusive
• Long lifespan
• Few demands or restrictions

Catholic church is a conservative force hierarchy with Pope as head of religion (Vatican) and priests who govern Catholic churches. Most prominent Christian denomination with few demands of their followers but strict moral guidelines. One of the original religions and is steeped in history as an influential force around the world.

• Originate as a sect but grow into larger movement
• Professional clergy but often with volunteers
• Large memberships that attract those of poor communities
• Some have longer lifespans (Methodist) and some are more recent (Pentecostal)
• Rely on members with active involvement in the cause, such as baptisms and strict structures to participation

Pentecostalism emerged with slightly different beliefs regarding the existence of the Holy Trinity (Holy Spirit) with a focus on the revival of being 'born again' through baptism. Rituals include foot washing for prayer and snake handling.

• Charismatic leader who claim to have supernatural power and should be listened to
• Small memberships
• Short lifespan, especially if leader dies
• Demand total dedication from followers, often to reject society and to live life as a community in itself

Jehovah's Witness sect follow the leadership of leaders who claim to be in contact with God and follow the strict structures of the Bible, regarding their interpretation as the absolute truth. This includes abstinence from blood and following other conservative values such as being against homosexuality and contraception.

• Loose structure
• Small membership
• Rarely associates with supernatural power
• Media driven, consumerist values of programmes aimed at spiritual improvement (£££)
• Rarely demand strong commitments and therefore attract people with busy lives

Scientology, Ron Hubbard. Promotes self development and sprituality through the name of God but at a price, such as courses in finding the 'inner self' and chanelling for success.

Audience Cult

Leader to a wide audience, vicarious religion

Client Cult

1-1 treatment focussing on the individual's spiritual progression

Cultic Movements

Requires specific commitment from the client, such as paying for courses

• Mostly cults
• Accept society and do not look to change or adapt it, so their practices accept this too
• Optimistic to enhance following
• Often charge fees for their services
• Seen as customers rather than religious followers

Scientology

Pagans

Transcendental Meditation

• Mostly denominations
• Not happy with the state of the world but will accommodate through their religion by prompting social change and encouraging solidarity
• Popular with vulnerable communities who may use the religion as a salvation
• Often attracts people who are unhappy with society, especially of changes such as abortion and homosexuality that would be disapproved of by conservative believers

Pentecostalists

Methodists

Baptisits

• Majority are sects
• Reject society's values and looks for another source of moral code
• Members often give full dedication to their beliefs and move away to live communally
• Focus on divien power- 'millenarian movements' to judge those who have sinned
• Clear understanding of what they believe God to be and regard this as an absolute truth- very intolerant of other people's beleifs
• Often accused of brain washing and manipulation

Moonies

Quakers

Heaven's Gate

• Response to marginalisation- Weber claims NRM attract individuals who do not belong to the majority of the community
• Relative Deprivation- Barker claims young middle class women are more likely to be attracted to NRM because they feel relatively deprived from socialising if their families are career orientated and seek commitment
• Hervieu-Leger's marketplace theory suggests young people are more likely to be attracted to religions that provide new and relatable ideas, such as those that use media and hold less conservative values
• Bauman suggests there has been an increase in fundamentalist viewpoints due to increased risk living in a postmodern world. Fear leading to cultural defence and traditional beliefs are reinforced in a tight knit community of a sect

• Originated in the 1980s, due to growing consumerism. Focuses on self spirtuality and improvement for the individual. Sometimes called me-religions.
• Drane 1999- Increase due to fragmentation of society. People are less interested in the absolute truth but more of how the beliefs can be relevant to them.
• Heelas et al 2005- Kendal project found traditional church was still the most prominent but there was a rapid growth of holistic milieu whereby they reflected the self interest of our society. This could overtake the 'congregational domain' of society in the future.

X Kendal project indicates the majority 80% were middle class, middle aged women and did not represent the whole of society

X Bruce- people tend to dabble in NAM. Only 32% of women are likely to pass it on to their children