Topic 1- Beliefs

Question 1

What are the types of religious organisation put forward by Troeltsch?

Answer 1

Church- troeltsch- large, claim monopoly of truth (MOT), run by bureaucratic system headed by sovereign state, maintain status quo

Sects- toeltsch- small, claim MOT, led by charismatic leader, offer salvation, challenge status quo

Question 2

What are the 2 types of organisation put forward by niebuhr?

Answer 2

Denominations- midway between chruches ans sects, dont have MOT, challenge status quo, ran by bureaucratic system, inclusive

Cults- very small, ran by practitioners and therapists, offer salvation

Question 3

What does wallis say about the main types of organisation?

Answer 3

Chruch- claim MOT, exclusive, maintain status quo
Denominations- inclusive, maintain status quo
Cults- inclusive, challenge status quo
Sects- claim MOT, exclusive, challenge status quo

Question 4

What is a criticism of definitions of organisations ?

Answer 4

Bruce- church attendance is falling so questions their MOT, says chruches are now denominations

However, davie says the declining church attendance is not evidence to secularisation, as people hold religious views which are privatised, ‘believing without belonging.’