Beliefs In Society- Religious organisations and movements: Explaining religious organisations and movements Flashcards
What are the three sociological explanations for the increasing number of sects and their members?
The three explanations are marginality, relative deprivation, and social change.
What is marginality in the context of sects?
Marginality refers to groups that are not benefiting economically within society and are “on the margins.” Sects appeal to these groups by offering solutions to their situation, such as theodicy of disprivilege, which provides a religious explanation for their suffering and promises rewards in the afterlife.
What is theodicy of disprivilege?
Theodicy of disprivilege is a religious explanation and justification for the suffering and disadvantage of marginal groups, suggesting that their suffering is a test from God and that they will be rewarded in the afterlife.
What is an example of a sect appealing to marginal groups?
The Nation of Islam successfully recruits among disadvantaged black men in the USA.
What is relative deprivation?
Relative deprivation is the subjective sense of being deprived, such as feeling a lack of wealth or spirituality, even if one is materially well-off.
How do sects address relative deprivation?
Sects offer a sense of community and compensators for what individuals feel they lack, such as promising rewards in the afterlife for the working class or furthering wealth for the middle class through world-affirming NRMs like Scientology.
What is social change in the context of sects?
Social change refers to rapid shifts in society that undermine established norms and values, creating anomie (normlessness) and leading people to turn to sects for solutions.
What is an example of social change leading to the creation of sects?
The Industrial Revolution caused social and economic upheaval, leading to the creation of Methodism, which offered a sense of community and fellowship for the working class during a time of urbanisation.
What does Niebuhr argue about the end of sects?
Niebuhr argues that sects are short-lived and tend to die out within a generation or compromise with the world and become denominations.
What are the reasons for the end of sects according to Niebuhr?
- Second-generation members lack commitment.
- The “Protestant ethic effect” leads to prosperity and a shift away from world-rejecting values.
- The death of the charismatic leader causes the sect to collapse.
What is the sectarian cycle according to Stark and Bainbridge?
The sectarian cycle involves:
1. Schism – initial breakaway from an established church.
2. Initial fervour – passion for the sect’s beliefs and tension with mainstream society.
3. Protestant ethic effect – prosperity leads to less tension with society.
4. Establishment – the sect becomes more world-accepting and turns into a denomination.
5. Further schism – some members break away to form a new sect.
What are established sects?
Established sects are sects that survive over many generations, such as the Amish, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Mormons, due to their ability to socialise new generations or recruit committed members.
What are the two types of established sects according to Wilson?
- Conversionists – sects that aim to convert more members, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses.
- Adventists – sects awaiting the Second Coming of Christ, such as the Amish, which remain separate from the corrupt world.
What is Bruce’s argument about cults and social change?
Bruce argues that technological advances and secularisation cause social upheaval, leading people to turn to cults, which are less demanding and require less commitment than traditional churches and sects.
What is Wallis’s argument about world-rejecting NRMs and social change?
Wallis argues that social changes in the 1960s, such as political movements and counter-culture, led young people to join world-rejecting NRMs like the Children of God, as they offered an idealistic way of life.
What is Bruce’s argument about world-affirming NRMs and modernity?
Bruce argues that modernity and the rationalisation of work mean people no longer derive their identity from their jobs, leading them to join world-affirming NRMs like Scientology, which offer techniques for success and a sense of identity.
What is Drane’s argument about New Age Movements (NAMs) and postmodernity?
Drane argues that NAMs have become popular due to postmodernity, which brings disillusionment with science and traditional religion, leading people to seek truth within themselves through NAMs.
What is Bruce’s argument about NAMs and modernity?
Bruce argues that the appeal of NAMs is a feature of the last phase of modernity, emphasizing individualism and offering a sense of identity, certainty, and an alternative to consumerism.
What is Heelas’s view on NAMs?
Heelas agrees with Bruce, stating that NAMs provide a sense of identity in a world of rapid social change and reject consumerism, offering an alternative way to achieve perfection.
What are audience or client cults?
Audience or client cults are NAMs that enable followers to be “spiritual shoppers,” reflecting the consumerism of modern capitalist societies.
What social group is most likely to join NAMs?
Individuals in the expressive arts, such as artists and community workers, are most likely to join NAMs due to their alignment with individualism and alternative spiritual practices.
What is the relationship between NAMs and Eastern religions?
NAMs are often watered-down versions of Eastern religions like Buddhism, adapted to fit the individualistic and consumerist values of modern societies.
What is the role of individualism in NAMs?
Individualism, a key feature of modernity, is promoted by NAMs, allowing followers to seek personal spiritual fulfillment and identity outside traditional religious structures.
What is the significance of rapid social change in the appeal of NAMs?
Rapid social change creates uncertainty, leading people to seek certainty and identity through NAMs, which offer alternative ways to achieve perfection and meaning in life.
