Types of Religious Organisation

Roman Catholic Church, Islam, Sikhism

TROELTSCH:

• Large organisations often with millions of members.
• Universalistic and aim to include all of society.
• However more attractive to higher classes.
• Ideologically conservative.
• Run by a bureaucratic hierarchy.
• Claim a monopoly of truth.
• Closely linked to the state.
  • e.g. British sovereign head of state and CofE.
• Place few demands on members.

WALLIS:

• Churches see only their interpretation of faith as legitimate.
• Seen as respectable/legitimate by wider society.

Methodists, Baptists, Sunni, Shi'ah

NIEBUHR:

• Midway between churches and sects.
• Less exclusive that sects but don't appeal to all of society.
• Accept society's values.
• Not linked to the state.
• Minor restricttions on members
  • e.g. forbidding alcohol.
• Tolerant of other religious organisations.
• Don't claim monopoly of truth.

WALLIS:

• Accept that there are many valid interpretations of faith.
• Seen as respectable/legitimate by wider society.

Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, People's Temple, Islamic State

TROELTSCH:

• Small, exclusive groups (hostile to wider society).
• Require high level of commitment from members.
• Draw members from marginalised and oppressed.
• Led by a charasmatic leader.
• Claim a monopoly of truth.

WALLIS:

• Claim that only their view is legitimate.
• Seen as deviant by wider society.

STARK AND BAINBRIGE:

• Bom out of schism.
• Promise other-worldly benefits to economically or ethically deprived.

Divination, Scientology, Astrology, Holistic Therapies

NIEBURH:

• Highly individualistic, loose-knit small groups.
• No sharply defined or exclusive belief system.
• Usually led by practitioners or therapists.
• Tolerant of other organisations.
• Do not demand strong commitment.
• World-affirming.

WALLIS:

• Accept that there are many valid interpretations of faith.
• Seen as deviant by wider society.

STARK AND BAINBRIDGE:

• Offer this-worldly benefits to those suffering psychic deprivation.

The Moonies, Krisha Conciousness, Children of God, Manson Family, Branch Davidians

WALLIS:

• Clear notion of God.
• Highly critical of the outside world.
• Seek radical change.
• Members must make a sharp break with their former lives to achieve salvation.
• Members live comunally and are restricted from the outside world.
• Movements control members' lives (are often accused of brainwashing).
• Have conservative moral codes.

Neo-Pentecostalists, Subud

WALLIS:

• Often breakaways from existing mainstream churches or denominations.
• Neither accept or reject the world.
• Focus on religious matters rather than worldy matters.
• Seek to restore spiritual purity of religion.
• Members lead conventional lives.

STARK AND BAINBRIDGE:

• Audience Cults
  Astrology, UFO Cults
  • Least organised.
  • Do not involve formal membership or committment.
  • Little interaction between members.
  • Participation can be through media.
• Client Cults
  Homeopathy, Spiritualism
  • Based on consultant-client relationships.
  • Provide services to followers.
  • Emphasis on therapies promising personal fulfillment and self-discovery.
• Cultic Movements
  Moonies, Scientology
  • Most organised and demand higher level of commitment.
  • Aim to meet all members' religious needs.
  • Members rarely allowed to belong to other religious groups.