Organisation and movements Flashcards
What does Troeltsch say are the features of Churches ?
Well established
Hundreds, Thousands, or Millions of members
Monopoly view of the truth
What does Troeltsch say are the features of Sects ?
Smaller numbers with strong commitment
Charismatic leader
Monopoly view of the truth
Whats are denominations ?
Midway between Churches and Sects
Doesn’t appeal to wider society
Sects become denominations due to loss of hierarchal structure once leader dies
No longer claim a monopoly of the truth
What is a cult ?
Less coherent religious organisation
Focus on bringing likeminded individuals together
Led by therapist or practitioners
What is a New Religious Movement (NRM) ?
An overarching term that covers both sects and cults
What are world affirming NRM’s ?
Individualistic and non-restrictive groups that aim to release human potential (Scientology)
What are world accommodating NRM’s ?
Orthodox groups that place value on religious life
(Neo-Pentecostalism)
What are world rejecting NRM’s ?
Structured groups with a notion of God that subject members to a strong ethical code and brainwashing
(Peoples temple)
What do Stark and Bainbridge argue ?
Sects have broken away from churches as a result of disagreements over doctrine
What are some example’s of Marginality ?
Nation of Islam (Black Muslims)
Moonies
What is Marginality ?
Weber argues sects sraw its members from the poor and marginalised of society
What is Relative Deprivation ?
When middle class members of churches change their belief’s to fit in with society , and deprived members break away to maintain the religions true meaning
What is Social Change ?
Wilson call’s them periods of rapid change that undermine norms and values that produce normlessness
How do established sects become established ?
Socialising their children in to high levels of commitments
Keep them apart from the wider world
