Sociology Beliefs: Organisation Movements

Question 1

Sociology Beliefs: organisations
Church

Answer 1

Church
-large organisation often millions of members
-claim a monopoly of truth
-closely linked to state

Question 2

Sociology Beliefs: organisations
Sect

Answer 2

Sects
-small exclusive
-hostile group
-expect high levels of commitment.

Question 3

Sociology Beliefs: organisations
Denomination

Answer 3

Denominations
-do not hold the absolute truth
-less exclusive then a sect -impose minor restrictions

Question 4

Sociology Beliefs: organisations
Cult

Answer 4

Cults
-tolerant of other religions -do not demand strong commitment
-led by member with special knowledge

Question 5

Sociology Beliefs: organisations
How are organisations seen by the public?

Answer 5

-churches and denominations are seen as respectable
-sect and cults seen as deviant

Question 6

Sociology Beliefs: organisations
How do organisations see themselves?

Answer 6

-churches and sects claim they’re faith is the only legit one
-denominations and cults accept there are other valid interpretations

Question 7

Sociology Beliefs: organisations
New Religious movements NRM
Examples

Answer 7

Wallis
-Moonies
-Children of god

Question 8

Sociology Beliefs: organisations
world rejecting NRM
Characteristics

Answer 8

-Wallis
-conservative moral codes
-members live communally with restricted contact of outside world
-clear notion of god

Question 9

Sociology Beliefs: organisations
World affirming NRM

Answer 9

Wallis
-offer followers access to supernatural powers
-accept world and offer success in mainstream goals like careers
-customers rather then members

Question 10

Sociology Beliefs: organisations
NRM evaluation

Answer 10

-Stark
Should distinguish between religious organisations using one criteria

Question 11

Sociology Beliefs: explaining the growth of movements
Marginality

Answer 11

Weber
-sects tend to arise in groups who are marginalised to society e.g disprivileged
-explain their misfortune as a test of faith
-whist promising rewards for the future if keeping up faith

Question 12

Sociology Beliefs: explaining the growth of movements
Marginality evaluation

Answer 12

Wallis
-many people who become marginal to society where MC
- hippies, dropouts and drug users

Question 13

Sociology Beliefs: explaining the growth of movements
Relative deprivation

Answer 13

-relative deprivation refers to the subjective sense of being deprived
-MC materially well off but spiritually deprived
-especially in a materialistic world which lacks moral value and authenticity
-this can lead to sects for a sense of community

Question 14

Sociology Beliefs: explaining the growth of movements
Social change

Answer 14

Wilson
-rapid change disrupts and undermines norms and values producing normlessness
-turning to sects as a soulution

Question 15

Sociology Beliefs: explaining the growth of movements
Social change evaluation

Answer 15

Bruce
-sees growth of cults due to secularisation
-this leads to people being less attracted to churches and sects
-instead prefer cults as they are less demanding

Question 16

Sociology Beliefs: explaining the growth of movements
Postmodernist and new age

Answer 16

Bruce
- growth of new age is last phase of modern society
-modern society values individualism which is key to new age
-new age beliefs are softer versions of more demanding religions like Buddhism
-‘pick and mix spiritual shopping’
-reflects capitalist society

Question 17

Religion as a force for social change: New Christian Right

Answer 17

-aim is to take america ‘back to god’
-make abortion,homosexuality,gay marriage and divorce illegal

Question 18

Religion as a force for social change: New Christian Right
Why was it unsuccessful?

Answer 18

Bruce
-found it difficult to cooperate with people from other religions groups even on same issues such abortion
-it lacks widespread support due to diversity

Question 19

Religion: religiosity
Gender

Answer 19

Davie
-most churchgoers are female and more likely to attach church regularly
-more women say their religious then men
-more women describe themselves as ‘spiritual’

Question 20

Religion: religiosity
Reasons for gender differences
Risk

Answer 20

Hoffman
-by not being religious people are risking going to hell if religion is right
-men are less risk-averse then women

Question 21

Religion: religiosity
Reasons for gender differences
Women and new age

Answer 21

-women are associated with ‘nature’
-new age movements often celebrate ‘natural’ involving cults of healing
Bruce
-women having children makes them more caring
-men want to achieve
-women want to feel

Question 22

Religion: religiosity
Reasons for gender differences
Sects

Answer 22

Bruce
-women are twice as likely to be involved in sects
-due to social deprivation attracts poorer groups and women are more likely to be poor

Question 23

Religion: religiosity
Reasons for ethic differences
Cultural defence

Answer 23

Bruce
-offers support in hostile environments
-preserve culture
-black afro-carribians weren’t welcome in the white Uk churches which lead to black-led churches

Question 24

Sociology Beliefs: supply of NRMs

Answer 24

Stark
-Increased demand for NRMs will increase supply of NRMs
-Lend to more alternatives for individuals to explore leading to further demand