Sociology Beliefs: Organisation Movements Flashcards
Sociology Beliefs: organisations
Church
Church
-large organisation often millions of members
-claim a monopoly of truth
-closely linked to state
Sociology Beliefs: organisations
Sect
Sects
-small exclusive
-hostile group
-expect high levels of commitment.
Sociology Beliefs: organisations
Denomination
Denominations
-do not hold the absolute truth
-less exclusive then a sect -impose minor restrictions
Sociology Beliefs: organisations
Cult
Cults
-tolerant of other religions -do not demand strong commitment
-led by member with special knowledge
Sociology Beliefs: organisations
How are organisations seen by the public?
-churches and denominations are seen as respectable
-sect and cults seen as deviant
Sociology Beliefs: organisations
How do organisations see themselves?
-churches and sects claim they’re faith is the only legit one
-denominations and cults accept there are other valid interpretations
Sociology Beliefs: organisations
New Religious movements NRM
Examples
Wallis
-Moonies
-Children of god
Sociology Beliefs: organisations
world rejecting NRM
Characteristics
-Wallis
-conservative moral codes
-members live communally with restricted contact of outside world
-clear notion of god
Sociology Beliefs: organisations
World affirming NRM
Wallis
-offer followers access to supernatural powers
-accept world and offer success in mainstream goals like careers
-customers rather then members
Sociology Beliefs: organisations
NRM evaluation
-Stark
Should distinguish between religious organisations using one criteria
Sociology Beliefs: explaining the growth of movements
Marginality
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
Sociology Beliefs: explaining the growth of movements
Marginality evaluation
Wallis
-many people who become marginal to society where MC
- hippies, dropouts and drug users
Sociology Beliefs: explaining the growth of movements
Relative deprivation
-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
Sociology Beliefs: explaining the growth of movements
Social change
Wilson
-rapid change disrupts and undermines norms and values producing normlessness
-turning to sects as a soulution
Sociology Beliefs: explaining the growth of movements
Social change evaluation
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
Sociology Beliefs: explaining the growth of movements
Postmodernist and new age
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
Religion as a force for social change: New Christian Right
-aim is to take america ‘back to god’
-make abortion,homosexuality,gay marriage and divorce illegal
Religion as a force for social change: New Christian Right
Why was it unsuccessful?
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
Religion: religiosity
Gender
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’
Religion: religiosity
Reasons for gender differences
Risk
Hoffman
-by not being religious people are risking going to hell if religion is right
-men are less risk-averse then women
Religion: religiosity
Reasons for gender differences
Women and new age
-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
Religion: religiosity
Reasons for gender differences
Sects
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
Religion: religiosity
Reasons for ethic differences
Cultural defence
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
Sociology Beliefs: supply of NRMs
Stark
-Increased demand for NRMs will increase supply of NRMs
-Lend to more alternatives for individuals to explore leading to further demand
