Movements (Sects being short-lived) Flashcards
What are the 3 reasons as to why religious movements are short lived?
- become denominational or die out
- sectarian lifestyle affects sects
- some sects do survive long term
According to Niebhur, why will sects become denominational or die out?
Especially world rejecting sects, are vulnerable organisations that tend to be short lived. Proposes the ‘denomination of death’ theory, meaing sects develop denominational characteristics or die out. There are 3 reasons as to why this is;
According to Niebhur, what are the 3 reasons as to why sects become denominational or die out?
1) second generation
2) protestant ethic effect
3) the leader dies
According to Niebhur, what is the ‘second generation’ and how does it mean sects become denominational or die out?
The second generation that are born into the sect lack the same commitment their parents had when they decided to join. They may be less angry than their parents were as such leading the sect into a denominational, in which it is much more world accommodating and less hostile to wider society.
According to Niebhur, what is the protestant work ethic and how does it means sects become denominational or die out?
When members find that the teachings of sect enable them to achieve upwards mobility. As people become more successful, they are less hostile. As success is achieved, it will become world accommodating and grow in membership, turning it into a denomination.
According to Niebhur, how does the death of the leader mean the sect will become more denominational or die out?
The group loses a charismatic figure head when it dies out, plunging the movement into uncertainty. Instead, leadership will be replaced with a hierarchal structure meaning no one has absolute power. As such, if people turn their back on the movement, it will die out.
Evaluation of the view that religious movements being short lived is due to them becoming denominational or die out?
Many movements have continued to thrive with all the changed. Such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, which isn’t a denomination yet
According to Stark and Bainbridge, how does the sectarian lifestyle affect the lifespan of sects?
Believe that all religious organisations go through a cycle
According to Stark and Bainbridge, what are 4 sectarian cycles that affect sects?
1) schism
2) initial fervour
3) denominationalism
4) establishment
According to Stark and Bainbridge, what is schisms and how does it affect the lifespan of sects?
The tension between privileged and unprivileged members which results in a breaking away and forming a new group
According to Stark and Bainbridge, what is initial fervour and how does it affect the lifespan of sects?
People are extremely enthusiastic about their new faith. A charismatic leader will inspire people to reject society and become fully committed to the organisations
According to Stark and Bainbridge, what is denominationalism and how does it affect the lifespan of sects?
The organisation becomes world accommodating and embraces the status of being a denomination
According to Stark and Bainbridge, what is establishment and how does it affect the lifespan of sects?
Where the organisation becomes accepted by wider society
Evaluation of the view that the sectarian lifestyle affects sects?\
Good view point
-Methodism started as sect and resulted as a schism within the CoE. Eventually turned into a denomination
According to Wilson, how do some sects survive long term?
Points out that there are established sects out there, which continue to thrive. For example, conversationist sects such as Mormonism has thrived because of its purpose to recruit members. Alternatively, Adventist sects (anticipating the day of judgement) survive long term because they adhere to modern life. For example the Amish communities have retained their sect status because they refuse to become world accommodating
