Defining Religion and Religious Organisations Flashcards
Giddens - establish what religion is not
Giddens rejects the idea that religions will necessarily explain the origins of life, provide a moral code to live by, or even believe in the supernatural
Weber
Defines religion as belief in a superior or supernatural power that is above nature and cannot be explained scientifically
Durkheim
Defines religion in terms of the contribution it makes to social integration, rather than any specific belief in God or the supernatural
Yinger
Identifies functions that religion preforms for individuals, such as answering ultimate questions about the meaning of life and what happens when we die
Aldridge
Shows how, for its followers, scientology is a religion, whereas several governments have denied it legal status as a religion
Southwald
Suggests the following;
There is usually a faith in power outside us (a God)
There is usually a theology - a body of knowledge that sets out the beliefs which might be encapsulated in sacred books
Theology and faith usually provide people with a ‘universe of meaning’
Provides an ethical or moral code that underpins all behaviour and decision making
Usually sanctions in the form of rewards and punishments (heaven and hell)
Often a promise of salvation from the ordinary world
Belief and dependency are often expressed in religious rituals or rites of passage in which the sacred or holy is worshipped and asked for
Those united in belief and faith usually form a single moral community
Totemism
Religions normally associated with small-scale tribal societies and cultures where religious rituals and ceremonies are usually organised around a particular totem
Animism
Religions believe in ghosts and spirits, which may be forces for good or evil
Theism
Centre around a belief in a sacred higher power which has the power of control over human behaviour. This power is the source of moral codes and attracts great reverence from its followers
Monotheistic meaning
Believe in one divine power or God
Polytheistic meaning
Believe in several Gods
Troeltsch
Distinguished between two main types; churches and sects, which he saw as opposites
Niebuhr
Described denominations as a midway between churches and sects
Weber and Troeltsch; eight social characteristics of a church
- Large membership
- Inclusiveness
- Universal
- Bureaucratic
- Professional clergy
- Acceptance of wider society
- Social functions
- A monopoly of the truth
Bruce
Believes that the above definition of churches was appropriate in pre-modern Christian societies. However, he points out that since 1517, when people began to question the teachings of the medieval church, there have been competing Christian institutions, which have led to religious pluralism.
Rejections to Troeltsch definition
Many churches do not have much of the population as active members
Churches are not always tied to the state and can even be opposed to it
Churches are not always ideologically conservative
Most churches do not claim monopoly of the religious truth but tolerate the existence of other religions
Davie
Claims there are growing numbers of radical bishops in the CoE
Niebuhr
Argued that a different type of religious organisation needed to be distinguished, and classified denominations using the following characteristics;
A large, inclusive membership
Not universal
A paid bureaucracy
A professional clergy
An acceptance of wider society
Acceptance of religious diversity
No monopoly of the truth
A high level of commitment from members is not expected
Weber and Troeltsch; sects
Agree the sects are opposite to churches, as can be seen in the following list of characteristics;
A charismatic leader/founder
A small membership
An exclusive membership
Opposition to wider society
Total commitments
No professional clergy or bureaucracy
Claim monopoly of the truth
Wilson
Argued that sects develop and change, they are not static entities but are diverse and complex. He identified different types of sects.
Wilson’s Introversionist Sects
Believe that ‘God calls us to abandon the world’. They suggest that the chosen people must cut themselves off from the secular world and follow a spiritual way of life.
Wilson’s Reformist Sects
Believe that their role is to gradually change the world for the better using spiritual means and good deeds e.g. Quakers
Wilson’s Conversionist Sects
Are evangelical sects whose members crusade to save souls who are in danger of eternal damnations. They hold meetings and constantly seek to convert new supporters e.g. Jehovah’s Witnesses, the moonies, mormons
Bruce
Argues that both churches and sects have drifted towards the characteristics of a denomination. Churches can no longer claim a monopoly on religious truth and are no longer universal; they are therefore increasingly like denominations.