New Religious Movements

Question 1

Who categorises new religious movements (NRMs) into three groups?

Answer 1

Roy Wallis

Question 2

What are the three NRMs Roy Wallis identifies?

Answer 2

World-rejecting NRMs

World -accommodating NRMs

World-affirming NRMs

Question 3

What are World-rejecting NRMs?

Answer 3

Their orientation to wider society is one of rejecting most of what society stands for

Question 4

What are examples of Word-rejecting NRMs?

Answer 4

The People’s Temple
The Manson Family
Krishna Consciousness
(sects)

Question 5

What is the main goal of world-rejecting NRMs?

Answer 5

Seeking radical individual transformation or even radical social change

Question 6

What are the characteristics of a World-rejecting NRM?

Answer 6

Demands high levels of commitment from it’s members
Some may act as ‘total institutions’; controlling every aspect of members’ lives
Tend to be founded by charismatic leader, membership demands loyalty to that leader
Their religious ideology tends to be highly critical of mainstream society

Question 7

According to Roy Wallis, what is the main aim of World Affirming NRMs?

Answer 7

To help members achieve their full potential in terms of the dominant values of the mainstream society

Question 8

What are examples of World Affirming NRMs?

Answer 8

Transcendental meditation
Scientology
The Human Potential Movement
(Cults)

Question 9

What are characteristics of World Affirming NRMs?

Answer 9

Tend to lack any religious doctrine, ‘least religious’ of the three
Extremely individualistic, success is seen as a matter of individual effort
Claim access to spiritual or supernatural power
Membership tends to be ‘tiered’ & highly inclusive

Question 10

What are World Accommodating NRMs?

Answer 10

Types of religious movements that have normally broken off from an already existing mainstream church
Denomination