Religious Organisations Flashcards
Definition of Church
An established, large religious organisation/institution which has a close relationship to the state eg. Roman Catholic Church
Definition of a Denomination
A section off of the Church that doesn’t demand the same level of commitment eg. Methodist Church
(world accomodating NRMs)
Definition of Sects
Smallee, more exclusive religious groups with a rejection of broader society and it’s norms with high levels of commitment eg. Jehovah’s Witnesses
(world rejecting NRMs)
Definition of Cults
Small groups that are new or unorthodox and have loose organisational structure eg. Heaven’s Gate Group
(world affirming NRMs)
What are the 5 things that can explain the growth of NRMs?
Marginality
Relative Deprivation
Social Change
Pragmatic motives (practical reasons)
Spiritual Void (no answers from science)
What is Weber’s theory about marginality and NRMs?
Theodicy of Disprivilege
- sects offer a solution to those who feel dispriviliged
Who talks about social change and NRMs?
Wilson
Which groups are drawn to World Rejecting NRMs and why?
Young people - lack adult commitments, thrive on high commitment + provides certainty as the gap between childhood and adulthood grows bigger
- Wallis
Middle class, married people - seek spirituality in a rational world
What are 3 reasons why sects / cults are short lived?
- Either turn into denominations or dissapear altogether eg. Quakers
- The heavy commitment required is hard to maintain (Barker)
- Sects led by a single charismatic leader may lose support
Explain what an NAM is, with examples. Also what does Woodhead say about them?
New Age Movement
- diverse spiritual belief and other alternatives to traditional religion
- emproves personal growth and spirituality
eg. palm reading, yoga, fortune telling, horoscopes, crystals
- Woodhead says that more women believe in NAMs because of the natural need to nature and care
