[6.1] Explaining the growth of religious movements Flashcards
What are the three reasons that sociologists offer for the growth of the number of sects and cults?
Marginality, relative deprivation and social change.
What does Weber (1922) say sects offer?
A theodicy of disprivilege, an explanation for the poor’s suffering.
What are two reasons for the growth of world-rejecting new religious movements?
- Social change in the 1960s.
2. The growth of radical political movements.
What are two reasons for the growth of world-affirming new religious movements?
- They provide a sense of identity.
2. Helps people to return to a conventional way of life.
How long do sects usually last?
A generation, it dies out as it’s members do so.
What does Niebuhr (1929) argue about sects?
They are short lived and either die out, compromise or abandon their extreme ideas.
What are the three reasons for the death of sects?
- The second generation who lack commitment.
- The Protestant ethic effect, members of ascetic sects begin to see the world in a new way.
- Death of the leader.
How do Stark and Bainbridge see sects?
As moving through the sectarian cycle.
What is the sectarian cycle?
- Schism - tension between the deprived and privileged members of an organisation, the deprived break away.
- Initial fervour - tension between sect’s and society’s views.
- Denominationalism - the fervour disappears.
- Establishment - the sect becomes more world-accepting.
- Further schism - less privileged members again break away.
What does Wilson argue about sects?
They don’t all follow the sectarian cycle, their survival depends on how they answer the question ‘what shall we do to be saved?’.
What do conversionist sects do?
Aim to convert large numbers and eventually become formalised denominations.
What do adventist sects do?
Await the second coming of Christ and separate themselves from the world around them.
What is an example of a sect that has survived for many generations?
The Amish.
What makes it harder for sects to separate themselves from the outside world?
Globalisation.
What does the New Age cover?
A range of beliefs and activities which have been widespread since the 1980s.
How many New Age movements does Heelas estimate there are in the UK?
2,000.
What are the two common themes of the New Age?
Self-spirituality and detraditionalisation.
What does Drane (1999) argue the popularity of New Age movements is down to?
It’s shift towards postmodern values.
What causes a loss of faith in the ‘experts’ of society?
The fact that science promised to bring progress but instead brought war, genocide and environmental destruction.
What are New Age beliefs often softened-down versions of?
Strict Eastern religions such as Buddhism.
What are the four ways Heelas identifies in which the New Age and modernity are linked?
- A source of identity
- Consumer culture
- Rapid social change
- Decline of organised religion
