NRMs

Question 1

Growth when?

Answer 1

60s and 70s and today

Question 2

Barker- 8 features of an NRM

Answer 2

1- religious
2- mostly young adult members
3- membership often temp
4- charismatic leader
5- one truth 
6- sharp divide between “us” and “them”
7- society views as deviant
8- short lived.

Question 3

Wallace

Three groups of NRMs with examples/definitions

Answer 3

World rejecting- critical of wider society, leaders impose control, often sudden conversion (accused of brainwashing etc). Eg Moonies, children of god, people’s temple.

World accommodating- breakaways from mainstream churches eg neopentacostalism. Don’t fully reject/accept mainstream values.

World affirming- lack conventional features of religion eg commitment, sometimes resemble client cults, allows people to unlock true potential. Respectable, mid class and not seen as deviant eg Scientology.

Question 4

Wallace- why people join

Answer 4

Offers young people status

Question 5

Weber- why people join

Answer 5

Deprived groups

Question 6

Postmodernists- why people join

Answer 6

Fits in with western lifestyle better