Beliefs- Religious Organisations

Question 1

Why do sociologists often use a typology?

Answer 1

To categorise and analyse religious organisations (eg. church, sect, denomination)

Question 2

What are the four main features of churches according to Troeltsch?

Answer 2

• Claims a monopoly of truth
• Have a complex rigid hierarchy with a bureaucratic structure with lots of rules and regulations
• Often have a close relationship to the state
• Closely integrated into mainstream society

Question 3

What is a monopoly of truth?

Answer 3

Says claims are absolutely true and others are false

Question 4

What is the definition of a church according to Troeltsch?

Answer 4

A large religious organisation

Question 5

What are three examples of a church?

Answer 5

Roman Catholic Church, Church of England and Episcopal Church

Question 6

How does Bruce criticise Troeltsch?

Answer 6

Says his points don’t always apply to today’s churches because there’s a religious pluralism these days

Question 7

What does religious pluralism mean?

Answer 7

Lots of different types of religious groups

Question 8

Why are upper classes more likely to join churches?

Answer 8

Because they act as a conservative force

Question 9

How does Troeltsch define sects?

Answer 9

Being almost the opposite of churches

Question 10

Why are sects often formed?

Answer 10

By people splitting off from a church because they disagree with the church’s practices or theology

Question 11

What are the four features of sects?

Answer 11

• Claim a monopoly of truth and are intolerant towards other religious organisations
• No complex hierarchy, often have charismatic leader
• Small and require total commitment
• Separate from the state in opposition to mainstream society

Question 12

What are four examples of sects?

Answer 12

Early Methodists, Calvinists, People’s Temple and Branch Davidians

Question 13

What are the five features of denominations?

Answer 13

• Possible route to the truth and tolerant towards other religious organisations
• Have a hierarchy and bureaucratic structure
• Reasonably large membership
• Members not as loyal as to churches
• Aren’t closely connected to the state, get involved in society and comment on current events

Question 14

What are two examples of denominations?

Answer 14

Modern Methodists and Baptists

Question 15

How did Bruce define cultic movements?

Answer 15

Movements without a fixed set of beliefs

Question 16

What are two features of cults?

Answer 16

• Emphasise inner power of the individual and mysticism
• Usually loosely knit and don’t have a hierarchy

Question 17

What are New Age Movements?

Answer 17

Close to cults and world-affirming movements- New Age ideas often aren’t linked to an organisation but spread through a culture

Question 18

What does Heelas claim about New Age followers?

Answer 18

They focus on ‘self-spirituality’ and the development of the self

Question 19

What three themes to New Age movements does Bruce highlight?

Answer 19

New Science rejects many claims of traditional science, New Ecology is concerned for the environment, and New Psychology sees the self as sacred

Question 20

Who do New Age beliefs appeal to?

Answer 20

People who have turned away from traditional religion because New Age beliefs say that people can find salvation, peace or perfection inside themselves- individual beliefs are trusted more and authority is trusted less

Question 21

How do New Age movements help some people cope with the uncertainties of modernity?

Answer 21

People have lots of different roles in the modern world and New Age beliefs can help people find a sense of identity

Question 22

Who do New Age beliefs appeal to?

Answer 22

Middle-class people working in ‘expressive professions’, women more than men, middle class more than working class

Question 23

How do New Age movements reflect a cultural change?

Answer 23

Mass communication gives us an awareness of different movements

Question 24

What does social change bringing about changes in religion lead to?

Answer 24

A decline in churches but growth in denominations or sects

Question 25

Why can sects grow rapidly?

Answer 25

As a result of a charismatic leader or a religious schism

Question 26

Why can sects die out?

Answer 26

If a leader dies or the sect’s promises do not come true

Question 27

How can sects become denominations?

Answer 27

If they don’t die out and become more accepted and respected

Question 28

Why can cults become more popular in a modern busy world?

Answer 28

They demand less commitment than sects