Religious Organisations

?
What is Troeltsch's description and an example of a Church?
Large scale, huge membership (millions/billions), long lifespan (1000s years), global presence and very inclusive. Examples include Christianity, Islam and Hinduism
1 of 26
What is Niebuhr's description and an example of a denomination?
Medium scale, large membership (millions/100,000s), medium lifespan (100s years), dispersed, inclusive. Examples include Pentecostalism and Baptism
2 of 26
What is Troeltsch's description and an example of a sect?
Small scale, small membership (100s/1000s), short lifespan (single generation), localised and very exclusive. Examples include People's Temple, Amish and Jehovah's Witnesses
3 of 26
What is Neibuhr's description and example of a cult?
Personalised, no formal membership, fashionable (celebrity endorsed), individualised, exclusive (£). Examples include meditation, Tai'Chi and Scientology
4 of 26
Who developed the concept of New Religious Movements?
Roy Wallis
5 of 26
What are world rejecting NRMs (sects)?
Clear notion of God, highly critical of the outside world, have conservative moral codes and members live communally
6 of 26
What are world accommodating NRMs (denominations)?
Breakaways from existing mainstream churches, neither accept nor reject the world, focus on religion rather than worldly matters
7 of 26
What are world affirming NRMs (cults)?
Accept the world as it is, non-exclusive and tolerant of other religions and claim to offer additional specialist knowledge
8 of 26
How do Stark and Bainbridge distinguish between sects and cults?
Sects offer other-wordly benefits to those suffering economic or ethical deprivation. Cults offer this-worldly benefits to individuals suffering psychic or health deprivation
9 of 26
What are audience cults?
The least organised group with no formal membership and little interaction between members. Participation through the media.
10 of 26
What are client cults?
A consultant/client relationship with 'therapies' promising personal fulfilment
11 of 26
What are cultic movements?
The most organised group with a demand of a higher level of communication. They are exclusive and claim to meet all members needs
12 of 26
How does marginality explain the rapid growth in Sects?
Sects recruit from marginal groups. Weber argues sects offer a 'theodicy of disprivilege' which explains the w/c misfortune as a test of faith. Millenarian movements also recruit from the poor because they offer other-worldly benefits
13 of 26
How does relative deprivation explain the rapid growth in Cults?
The m/c feel spiritually deprived despite being materially well-off. Wallis argues they turn to Cults for a sense of community as they perceive their lives as impersonal and lacking in authenticity and emotional warmth
14 of 26
How does relative deprivation explain the rapid growth in Sects?
Stark and Bainbridge argue the deprived are likely to join Sects that safeguard the original message of the organisation. World-rejecting Sects offer the compensators the deprived need for the rewards denied in this world
15 of 26
How does social change explain the rapid growth in Sects?
Wilson argues periods of rapid social change undermine established norms and produces anomie. People who are most affected by the disruption turn to Sects as a solution.
16 of 26
How does social change explain the rapid growth in Cults?
Society is now more secular to people are less attracted to traditional Churches and strict Sects. They prefer Cults because they are less demanding, require fewer sacrifices and can be practiced on a part-time basis.
17 of 26
How does social change explain the rapid growth of World-Rejecting NRMs?
Wallis argues social changes in the 60s impacted on young people such as increased time in education which gave them freedom and enabled counter cultures. NRMs were attractive because they offered a more idealistic way of life
18 of 26
How does social change explain the rapid growth of World-affirming NRMs?
Bruce argues their growth is a response to modernity, especially alienation and the rationalisation of work. NRMs provide a sense of identity and promise success in this world
19 of 26
According to Niebuhr, what are the three reasons Sects compromise with the world, turning into a denomination, or die out?
Failure to socialise the second generation: Children have less commitment. The Protestant Work Ethic: As members get older, they want to pursue materially wealth. Death of the leader: Sects with a charismatic leader collapse after the leader's death
20 of 26
What is Wilson's established Sects argument?
Some Sects have survived over generations to become established Sects. Conversionist Sects: Aim to convert large numbers of people and are likely to grow into denominations. Adventist Sects: Their millenarianism prevents them compromising beliefs
21 of 26
What is Stark and Bainbridge's Sectarian Cycle?
Church -> Schism -> Charismatic Leader -> Sect -> Established Sect/Denomination
22 of 26
What are New Age Movements?
Self Spirituality: New Agers look inside themselves to find the spiritual. De-traditionalisation: The New Age rejects the spiritual authority of external traditional sources
23 of 26
What does Drane suggests the rise of NAMs is a result of?
A shift towards postmodern society and the decline in meta-narratives
24 of 26
In what 4 ways are NAMs linked to postmodernity according to Heelas?
NAMs provide a source of identity and gives people a purpose. Consumerism and materialism means NAMs are a alternative way to achieve happiness. Fast social change: NAMs bring a sense of stability and truth. Secularisation: There are no alternatives
25 of 26
Give two criticisms of post-modernity and religion?
Traditional religions still dominate society with Christianity having 3 billion members worldwide. Habermas argues post modernity is very difficult to research or measure so there is no concrete evidence
26 of 26

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is Niebuhr's description and an example of a denomination?

Back

Medium scale, large membership (millions/100,000s), medium lifespan (100s years), dispersed, inclusive. Examples include Pentecostalism and Baptism

Card 3

Front

What is Troeltsch's description and an example of a sect?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What is Neibuhr's description and example of a cult?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Who developed the concept of New Religious Movements?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Sociology resources:

See all Sociology resources »See all Religion and beliefs resources »