Religious Organisations

the classification of religious organisations was first undertaken by Weber (1920) and developed by Troeltsch (1931)

a large, formal religious organisation most commonly associated with Christianity 

• large formal organisation
• hierarchy of paid officials 
• automatic recruitment
• tried to appeal to all members of society 
• may have a close relationship with the state
• accepts wider society
• claims a monopoly of truth 

smaller, formal religious organisations 

• Neibuhr (1929) 
• develop from sects that have broken away from the main church 
• have a hierarchy of paid officials
• tries to appeal to all members of society 
• no claim on monopoly 
• accept religious diversity 
• no close relationship wit the state
• may not fully accept wider society 

small religious groups often hostile towards the outside world 

• Troelstch
• small orginsation with no professional hierarchy 
• headed by a charismatic leader
• exclusive membership
• no automatic recruitment 
• requires total commitment
• opposed to the state and wider society 
• claims a monopoly on religious truths 
• born out of conflict resulting in a breakaway group from the church 
• normally over wealth 

Stark and Bainbridge (1985)

• cults have no previous link with a religious group
• audience cults - people participate in lectures and buy books and have a low level of commitment. They are often highly individualistic and not organised and sustained through media 
• client cults - occasaional meetings when clients have specific needs, e.g. power within courses. This is a profitable cult
• cult movements -  membership is requires and there is movement towards a sect, They are organised and have regular meetings 

Wallis (1985)

• minimal organisation with no developed theology 
• limited formal contact
• no control over members lives
• no claim on monopoly 
• affirm life to this world, often with vague mystical elements 
• short lived