Church Flashcards
Definition
type of religious organization characterized by its relative size, power and influence over religious and secular matters
Troeltsch
LBUSWHIM
Large
2005: Christianity 2,100 million
- -low reliability (counting)
- -low validity (participation level of members)
Born into it
- do not have to demonstrate faith
- baptism ensures that children of members automatically join
Universal appeal
- embraces all members of society
- inclusive at individual level
- no membership tests/ entry qualifications
State
Pre modernity: church had considerable political power
late modernity: gradual decline of political power and involvement to focus on religious matters
Middle ages: RCC- imp polit, edu and social functions
Now: Queen– head of state and head of CoE
No need to withdraw from society
- can participate without having to leave behind normal life
Ideologically conservative
- -supports the status quo
- exerts power and influence
- dominates all areas of society to maintain the conservative ways of living (Bruce)
Monopoly of Truth
- jealously guards its monopoly on religious truth
- does not tolerate challenges to its authority
ex: RCC used Inquisition to punish heresy
TORTURE
Hierarchy of Paid Officials
- formal, structured and bureaucratic institutions
- power and control flow downwards
pope- cardinals- vicars, imams and priests (RCC)
Wallis’ Typology
respectable- supported the norms and values of the wider society
uniquely legitimate- claimed a monopoly on religious truth
Bruce’s Criticism of the General Definition of Church
- T’s def not relevant in today’s society
- religious pluralism undermines the dominance of church
- fragmentation of religion- less state association
- CoE is more like a denomination
Bruce’s Criticism of Troeltcsh’s definition of church
some churches and church like insti:
- less participation
- does not claim monopoly of truth
- not always ideologically conservative
- not always connected to the state
McGuire
fixed characteristics to organisations
- 15th centurey RCC: conformed to Troeltsch’s definition of church
- USA: more peacefully coexists, denominational stance
-nature of religious org depends on social and historical contexts
McGuire Quote
Church is accepting of and accepted by society
