Spiritual Revolution Flashcards
What is a spiritual revolution?
Traditional Christianity is giving way to ‘holistic spirituality’ or New Age spiritual beliefs and practices that emphasise personal development and subjective experience.
How can increased interest in spirituality be seen in the growth of a ‘spiritual market’?
With an explosion is the number of books about self-help and spirituality and the many practitioners who offer consultations, courses and therapies, ranging from meditation to crystal healing.
What two groups did Heelas and Woodhead distinguish between?
The congregational domain of traditional and evangelical Christianity and the holistic milieu of spirituality and the New Age.
What did Heelas and Woodhead find in their study in 2000?
In a typical week, 7.9% of the population attended church and 1.6% took part in the activities of holistic milieu.
What did they find within the congregational domain?
The traditional churches were losing support, while evangelical churches were doing relatively well.
How does Heelas and Woodhead explain the growth of New Age spirituality?
Due to a subjective turn in today’s culture. This involves a shift from the idea that doing your duty and obeying external authority, to exploring your inner self by following a spiritual path.
Why are evangelical churches more successful that traditional churches?
They both demand discipline and duty, but the evangelicals also emphasises the importance of spiritual healing and personal growth through the experience of being ‘born again’.
What is more attractive in a spiritual marketplace?
Those that appeal to personal experience as the only genuine source of meaning and fulfilment, rather than the recieved teachings and commandments of traditional religion.
