NRM And NAM Flashcards
Stark and Bainbridge
Religious market theory
We live in a ‘pic and mix’ society.
. People to religious institutions in a postmodern context are essentially customers have their attention fought over.
Theory of vicarious religion is what?
That people today experience religious fulfilment not through physical engagement but investment in the people that practice ceremonies on their behalf
Stark and Bainbridge also had something to say about Religion surviving. What?
That religion was cyclical.
So long as there’s things we don’t know, we’ll live in cycles of…
Innovation, revival, decline and then secularisation.
What are the 4 key features of a church according to Troelsch?
- Complex rigid hierarchy
- A monopoly over the truth, providing a framework to see the world.
- A close relationship to the state, symbiotic.
- Integrated into society and its culture in a physical or symbolically recognised way.
What’s a sect?
A group that splits off from an existing religion, a sort of rebrand claiming to have a better monopoly on the truth surrounding the same ideas.
What do Stark and Bainbridge have to say about sects?
They tend to either not last very long or if they do, become denominations, less marginalised less extreme versions of themselves not hostile to society.
What are the two cycles Stark and Bainbridge pointed out?
. Sects becoming denominations then being sects of that denomination.
. Interest in religion, the cycle being
Secularisation, innovation, revival, decline…^
What is a cult?
Usually a religious-scientific movement hybrid that focuses on commercial products
What are sects usually characterised by?
According to who?
According to Troelsch
- no complex hierarchy, likely one leader.
- an alternative way of life that rejects the mainstream one.
- Often demands greater commitment from members who form their lives around the sect.
- Monopolises truth, is hostile to opposing truths or diversions.
What are denominations usually characterised by?
According to who?
According to H.R Niebuhr
- More tolerant then sects to society and have a capacity to integrate
- Tolerant of other out groups
- Fewer or less strict restrictions, sacrifices and commitments.
- No particular target demographic, vulnerable people are not the focus.
What are the 3 types of NRM?
According to who?
According to Barker.
- World rejecting
- World accommodating
- World affirming
What’s a World rejecting NRM?
One that is highly insular, is very suspicious of the outside. They may have apocalyptic dogma and millenarian beliefs and reflect this in their practices, requiring serious commitment and obedience.
What’s an example of a world rejecting NRM?
Heaven’s gate
What is a world accommodating NRM?
A group that lives a generally similar life to someone outside the group but who knows dissatisfied with the secular nature of society today.
They therefore tend to be concerned with an individual’s reclaiming of spiritual journey, and use rituals like speaking in tongues or group healing to do this.
What is a world affirming group?
Similar to world accommodating, they live similar lives to the out group and they focus on self improvement and enlightenment.
They’re driven by unlocking human potential and deviate from world accommodating because they tend to have more to do with new or revived practices and consumerism.
What is a new age movement (NAM)
One that incorporates scientific, supernatural and religious ideas into the consumerist way, such as through courses, healing and trinkets.
The term Spiritual health services was stated by who in reference to what?
Davis,
In reference to the consumerism and loose commitments of the NAM
The ‘Spiritual revolution’ is a term from what study?
What does it mean?
The Kendell project,
Eg: Linda Woodhead.
It’s in reference to the idea that old evangelist churches in the U.S and NAM in particular are seeing a rise.
What does the Kendell project conclude about why old religions are unattractive today?
Because of hyperindividualism and the rejection of objectivism, the monopoly of the truth you accept as part of an old surviving religion.
People value their own perspective on life being validated, not challenged. NAM and the American exceptionalism rhetoric that has married itself to the U.S mega churches, encourage a personal spiritual journey that doesn’t dismiss people’s lifestyles.
