Features of Religious Organisations Flashcards
organisational structure of churches
Bureaucratic, hierarchal power structure with paid officials, often large, wealthy with powerful leaders
churches attitude to wider society
WORLD ACCOMMODATING
conservative= more likely to accept dominant norms and values and tend to support status quo, often close links with state e.g. queen is head of church of England
commitment required and demands on members/followers from churches
integrate with social and economic structure of society. few demands on members, who play a full part in social life and not expected to withdraw from society accept the social environment they exist in
membership in churches
universalist and inclusive- embraces all members of society, don’t have to demonstrate faith to be a member. often born into it, all members of society assumed to be unless opt out
social base in churches
drawn from all social classes but higher status groups tend to be over represented in membership
attitude to other beliefs/organisations in churches
tend to be intolerant of other groups and claim monopoly of religious truth
organisational structure in a denomination
hierarchy of paid officials and bureaucratic structure, some division of authority role and higher degree of democratic participation (more lay preaching)
attitude to wider society in denominations
WORLD ACCOMMODATING
generally accept dominant norms and values though some minor differences and restrictions on members. more concerned with spiritual behaviour and everyday morality than ‘other worldy’ often no links with state
commitment required and demands on members/followers in denominations
integrate with the world, accept secular culture, no rejection of wider society,often disillusioned members from traditional churches, other denominations or sets but live conventional lives outside their religious activities
membership in denominations
recruited by self election or family tradition- open membership
social base in denominations
hardly ever a social majority, membership drawn from all levels of society but less closely identified with upper classes than a church and lower working class least likely to be represented
denominations attitude to other beliefs/religion
tolerant of other groups and religions and don’t claim monopoly on truth, see themselves as a denomination among many
organisational structure within sects
often no hierarchy of paid officials or bureaucratic structure, more egalitarian structure, tightly knit community often under one charismatic leader
sects attitude to wider society/state
WORLD REJECTING
radical- opposition to or in tension with outside world. many involve a radical rejection of society and institutions including the state, reject dominant n+v and replace with alternative beliefs and practises
commitment required and demands on members/followers in sects
strict entry criteria with members required to demonstrate strong involvement and commitment, change lifestyles and possibly withdraw from society (some contact with outside world for recruitment and fundraising) tight social control of members and expulsion if fail to conform
