religious organisations and movements Flashcards
church
large, formal organisation with hierarchy of paid officials
automatic recruitment - born into it
appeals to all members of society, but especially upper class - conservative and aims to maintain status quo
close relationship with state
tends to be accepting of wider society - tolerates religious diversity
claims monopoly of religious truth
sect
small religious group that broke away from well established church through schism
no hierarchy - led by charismatic leader
recruit members - adults join voluntarily
membership is exclusive - tends to be lower classes who feel marginalised in society
require total commitment - often have to lose contact with non follower family members
rejects wider world
claims monopoly of truth
short lived - die with charismatic leader
denomination
relatively large, formal religious groups that develop when sects grow
hierarchy of paid officials
appeals to all members of society
don’t claim monopoly of truth
may not fully accept wider society
few, minor restrictions on members’ lives
doesn’t have close relationship with state
cult
spiritual associations that emphasise individualism
minimal or no organisational structure
limited formal contact between members
no restrictions on members lives
limited commitment
don’t claim monopoly of truth
affirm life in this world
short lived - fail to fulfil promise to improve followers’ lives
NRMs
world rejecting - highly critical of outside world so tend to withdraw from world and live communally. very traditional and conservative. exclusive membership - appeal to people who face difficulties. expect divine intervention to bring about greater good. similar to sects
world accommodating - offshoots of existing churchers, conservative. similar to denominations
world affirming - have no collective worship or membership, offer followers independent way of bettering themselves, no restrictions on followers’ lives, popular among middle aged m/c. similar to cults
NAMs
no leaders, no traditional sources of authority, places of worship or sacred texts
don’t require much commitment and limited interaction between members
based on provision of service to clients which has to be paid for
