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
Dawson
religious organisations have mixed characteristics
cannot fit them neatly into parti characteristics
McGuire
Church in 19th Century
RCC
more like a sect
tension between it and society
