Beliefs In Society- Religious organisations and movements: Types of religious organisations and movements Flashcards
What is a church in sociological terms?
A church is a large, formal religious organization with a hierarchy of paid officials, such as vicars, bishops, and archbishops.
How does recruitment work in a church?
Recruitment is often automatic, as people are born into it, though there has been a decline in baptisms since the 1930s.
What social classes do churches appeal to?
Churches appeal to all social classes but are especially attractive to the upper classes due to their conservative nature and aim to maintain the status quo.
What is the relationship between the church and the state?
Churches often have a close relationship with the state, such as the Church of England, where the monarch is both the head of state and the head of the church.
How do churches view wider society?
Churches tend to be accepting of wider society and tolerate religious diversity, such as in modern-day Britain.
What claim do churches often make?
Churches often claim a monopoly of religious truth.
How long have churches typically existed?
Churches have been in existence for hundreds, even thousands, of years.
What are some examples of churches?
Examples include the Church of England in Britain, Islam in Iran, Judaism in Israel, Hinduism in India, and the Catholic Church in Ireland.
Who classified churches in sociology?
Churches were classified by Troeltsch.
What is a sect in sociological terms?
A sect is a small religious group that has broken away from a larger, established church through schism.
How are sects led?
Sects are typically led by a single charismatic leader and lack a hierarchy of professional leaders.
How do sects recruit members?
Sects recruit members voluntarily, with adults joining of their own accord.
What social classes do sects appeal to?
Sects tend to appeal to the lower classes, who may feel marginalized by wider society.
What level of commitment do sects require?
Sects require total commitment from members, often demanding they cut ties with non-follower family members.
How do sects view wider society?
Sects reject wider society and often claim a monopoly of the truth.
How long do sects typically last?
Sects tend to be short-lived and often dissolve after the death of their charismatic leader.
What are some examples of sects?
Examples include the People’s Temple, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hare Krishna, the Amish, and the Unification Church (Moonies).
Who classified sects in sociology?
Sects were classified by Troeltsch.
What is a denomination in sociological terms?
A denomination is a relatively large, formal religious group that develops from sects as they grow in size.
How are denominations structured?
Denominations have a hierarchy of paid officials.
What social classes do denominations appeal to?
Denominations appeal to all members of society.
Do denominations claim a monopoly of the truth?
No, denominations do not claim a monopoly of the truth.
How do denominations view wider society?
Denominations may not fully accept wider society but are generally more tolerant than sects.
What restrictions do denominations place on members?
Denominations tend to place few, minor restrictions on members’ lives, such as prohibitions on drinking.
What is the relationship between denominations and the state?
Denominations do not have a close relationship with the state.
What is an example of a denomination?
An example is Methodism, which developed from a sect led by John and Charles Wesley, who broke away from the Church of England due to its increasing wealth and ostentation.
Who classified denominations in sociology?
Denominations were classified by Niebuhr.
What is a cult in sociological terms?
A cult is a spiritual association that emphasizes individualism and has minimal or no organizational structure.
How do cults maintain contact between members?
Cults often have limited formal contact between members, with interaction occurring through TV, books, or other media.
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What level of commitment do cults require?
Cults require minimal commitment and place no restrictions or expectations on members’ lives.
Do cults claim a monopoly of the truth?
No, cults do not claim a monopoly of the truth.
What do cults emphasize?
Cults affirm life in this world rather than focusing on rewards in the afterlife.
How long do cults typically last?
Cults tend to be short-lived as they often fail to fulfill their promises to improve followers’ lives.
What are some examples of cults?
Examples include astrology, tarot, self-help books, and Scientology.
Who classified cults in sociology?
Cults were classified by Niebuhr.
What are New Religious Movements (NRMs)?
NRMs are small religious groups classified by their relationship to the wider world, coined by Barker as an alternative to sects and cults without negative connotations.
What are the three types of NRMs identified by Wallis?
Wallis identified three types: world-rejecting, world-accommodating, and world-affirming NRMs.
What are world-rejecting NRMs?
World-rejecting NRMs are highly critical of the outside world, withdraw from society, live communally, share possessions, and are often millenarian, expecting divine intervention. Examples include the Moonies and Hare Krishna.
What are world-accommodating NRMs?
World-accommodating NRMs are usually offshoots of existing churches, conservative, and similar to denominations. An example is Pentecostalism.
What are world-affirming NRMs?
World-affirming NRMs offer followers ways to better themselves, require no collective worship or membership, and place no restrictions on followers’ lives. They are popular among middle-aged, middle-class individuals. An example is Scientology.
What are New Age Movements (NAMs)?
NAMs are religions and therapies that emerged since the 1970s, with no leaders, traditional authority, places of worship, or sacred texts.
What level of commitment do NAMs require?
NAMs require minimal commitment and have limited interaction between members.
How do some NAMs operate?
Some NAMs are based on providing services to clients, which must be paid for.
What are some examples of NAMs?
Examples include sound therapy and crystal healing
