Religious organisations

Question 1

Who was the first to distinguish from a church to a sect?

Answer 1

Troeltsch

Question 2

What are the 4 religious organisations?

Answer 2

• Church
• denominations
• sects
• cults

Question 3

Features of a Church

Answer 3

• large organisations with millions of members
• universal
• a bureaucratic hierarchy
• claims a religious monopoly of the truth
• Usually linked to the state
• Tends to be conservative (traditional)
• accepts norms and values of society

Question 4

example of a church

Answer 4

Roman catholic church

Question 5

Features of a Sect

Answer 5

• Tend to be small and exclusive
• claims a religious monopoly of the truth
• full commitment is expected
• usually recruit from the poor and oppressed
• Hostile to wider society, seek radical change
• Charismatic leaders

Question 6

Features of Denominations

Answer 6

• membership less exclusive
• broadly accept society’s values but are not linked to the state.
• They don’t claim religious monopoly, they accept religious diversity.

Question 7

what does NIEBHUR identify a denomination as?

Answer 7

Midway between churches and sects

Question 8

Features of Cult

Answer 8

This is a spiritual association that emphasises individualisation

• least organised
• highly individualistic
• many are world affirming
• doesn’t claim a religious monopoly

Question 9

Which 2 characteristics does WALLICE highlight between the 4 organisations?

Answer 9

1) how they see themselves ( Church and sects see themselves as only religious ones)
2) How they are seen by wider society ( churches and denominations are seen as respectable )

Question 10

A03 of these descriptions

Answer 10

They do not really fit modern society ( some Churches have lost their monopoly and status )

Question 11

What has happened since the 1960’s

Answer 11

There has been an increase in new religious movements

Question 12

How has WALLICE categorized these NRM’s into 3?

Answer 12

Based on their relationship with the outside world

Question 13

What are WALLICE’S 3 NRM categories?

Answer 13

• World rejecting NRMs
• World accommodating NRMs
• World affirming NRMs

Question 14

Features of World Rejecting NRMs

Answer 14

• highly critical of the outside world, seek radical change
• members must ‘leave’ their former life
• a clear notion of god
• movement controls all aspects of life

Question 15

Example of World Rejecting NRM

Answer 15

• People’s temple

- Branch Davidion

Question 16

Features of World Accommodating NRMs

Answer 16

• usually break aways from existing churches
• neither accept or reject the world, focusing on religious rather than worldly matters
• members lead a conventional life

Question 17

Example of World Accommodating NRMs

Answer 17

neo - pentacostalists

Question 18

Features of World Affirming NRMs

Answer 18

• lacks conventional features of religion
• offers access to spiritual or super natural powers
• accepts the world as it is
• promises success with regard to achieving goals
• Customers rather than members

Question 19

Example of World Affirming NRMs

Answer 19

Scientology

Question 20

A03 of WALLICE descriptions of NRM

Answer 20

he ignores the diversity of beliefs that exist within a NRM

Question 21

What criteria do STARK and Bainbridge argue is needed to distinguish between these organisations?

Answer 21

The degree of tension between the group and wider society.

Question 22

which two organisations are in conflict with wider society?

Answer 22

sects and cults

Question 23

How do Sects conflict with wider society?

Answer 23

Splits from existing organisations offering “OTHER worldly benefits “

Question 24

How do Cults conflict with wider society?

Answer 24

new religions or ones that have been imported , offering “THIS worldly benefits”

Question 25

Which 3 categories does STARK and BAINBRIDGE sub divide cults according to how organised they are?

Answer 25

• Audience cult
• Client cult
• Cultic movement