Sects, Cults, denominations, new religious movements and new age groups

Question 1

church

Answer 1

a large, well-established, religious body, such as the church of england

Question 2

denomination

Answer 2

Niebur- lying midway between churches and sects

Question 3

Sects

Answer 3

• Wilson suggests that sects have the following features:
  -exist in a state of tension or conflict
  -they impose tests of merits on would-be members
  -often led by a charismatic leader

There is no hierarchy and they are world rejecting
- their interpretation of faith is the only correct one (Wallis)

Question 4

Troelsch and sects

Answer 4

see sects as small, exclusive groups
- they provide promise other worldly benefits, e.g. a place in heaven

Question 5

Cults

Answer 5

Wallis and Bruce see cults differing from sects, as cults are often very loosely knit groupings
- they offer world benefits e.g. good health
- world affirming

Question 6

Giddens and cults

Answer 6

suggests that the focus on the individual , and individual expression are the main differing features
- there is often very little discipline or commitment demand
- don’t claim any monopoly over the truth

Question 7

Aldridge and cults

Answer 7

suggests that cults see themselves offering just one route to self realisation out of choice for others

Question 8

Stark and Bainbridge and cults

Answer 8

• audience cults
• client cults
• cult movements

Question 9

example of sect

Answer 9

Peoples temple

Question 10

example of cult

Answer 10

Scientology

Question 11

New Religious Movements

Answer 11

• emerged from 1960s
• NRMs are mainly sects and cults

Question 12

Barker and NRMs

Answer 12

• they are religious in so far as they often concerned with spirituality and/or the supernatural
• they are most likely to find supporters among young adults, who are first generation converts
• there is a high turnover of members
• likely to be led by charismatic leaders
• there is often hostility or suspicion from wider society
• certain they hold the only correct truth

Question 13

New Age Groups

Answer 13

refers to a wide diversity of mind-body- spirit ideas, interests and therapies from across the globe that first began to become prominent in the 1980s
- New Age ideas draw on and combine religious and occult traditions from the fairly conventional to the obscure, and bizarre
- they consist of two features
-self- spirituality
-detraditionalization

Question 14

Bruce and NAMs

Answer 14

the emphasis is on the self, and freeing the “self within”
- everything is connected, holistic
- the self is the final authority
- the global cafeteria
- therapy

Question 15

Example of New Religious Movements

Answer 15

Freemasons

Question 16

Example of New Age Movements

Answer 16

crystals, meditation and astrology

Question 17

Why are sects short lived

Answer 17

• problem of maintaining commitment and fervour
• loss of charismatic leaders
• changing circumstances of members and appeal of sects
• religious diversity in postmodern societies

Question 18

Aldridge and sect developments

Answer 18

• argues that sects either disappear or turn into denomination
  -many sects have existed a long time while still retaining their features
  -not all sects depend on charismatic leaders
  -many sects successful in socialising children
  -maintain strict standards of conduct