Traditional Typology Flashcards
What are the 4 types?
Churches
Denominations
sects
Cults
Why is it important to categories religion?
IOT operationalise them.
Who identified churches?
Weber
Who described the difference between sects + churches?
Troeltsch (1931)
Who identified cults?
Troeltsch (1931)
When did Troeltsch write?
1931
What did Troeltsch write about?
He described the difference between sects + churches which led to the identification of cults.
When did Niebuhr write?
1925
What did Niebuhr (1925) introduce?
Denominations
What are some examples of churches?
Roman Catholic, C of E
What are some examples of sects?
Heaven’s Gate, People’s Temple
What are some examples of denominations?
Methodism, Neo-pentecostalism
What are some examples of cults?
Scientology, Transcendental Meditation
What is the largest religious organisation in the UK?
Churches - most of them affiliated to Christianity
How is a cult in sociology different from the media representation?
It’s not as extreme as it is portrayed in the media - the sociology version of a cult is a sect.
What is the structure of churches?
Hierarchal structure, bureaucratic, paid officials - often powerful and deathly individuals.
What is the churches attitude towards other religions?
Tend to be intolerant, claim the monopoly of truth.
What is the membership like in churches?
Inclusive, millions of members - generally the mc and older.
What level of commitment do churches demand?
Low level, very few demands but are universalistic and aim to include society as a whole.
What do sects tend to be?
Short lived
What is the structure of sects?
Often no hierarchy of paid officials or bureaucracy but.a more egalitarian structure.
Members have a tight knit community
Small, exclusive groups
Led by 1 charismatic leader
Sects attitudes to other religions…
Hostile, claim the monopoly of truth - only members are the ‘saved chosen ones’.
Sects attitudes to wider society…
HOSTILE!
Memberships of sects…
Members tend to be those who have been marginalised by society.
What level of commitment do sects demand?
High level of commitment - sometime require their members to give up their whole lives + families so they can focus all of their attention on the sect.
What is the structure of denominations?
They lie midway between a sect and a cult
Denominations attitudes to other religions?
Tolerant of other religions and they no longer claim the monopoly of truth.
Denominations attitudes to wider society?
World accommodating - like churches, but they are not linked to the state.
Integrates with the world - accepts secular culture.
Membership of denominations…
Tend to attract wc
Membership is self selecting (like churches)
What level of commitment to denominations demand?
Integrates with the world - accepts secular culture
Imposes minor restrictions on its members e.g. forbidding alcohol.
What is the structure of a cult like?
Least organised
Highly individualistic, loose knit groups based on shared themes/ interests
Usually led by ‘therapist’ who claims to have special knowledge.
What is the least organised type?
Cults
Cults attitudes to other religions…
Tolerant of other religions
Cults attitudes to wider society…
World affirming
Membership of cults…
Members tend to have an above average income (mc w)
Referred to as clients/ customers
Often few like they are missing something in their lives.
Level of commitment demanded by cults?
Don’t demand a strong level of commitment - members are more like customers.
Advantages of traditional typologies…
- ID key characteristics os religious organisations, showing similarities and differences
- Makes some attempt to locate religious organisations in their historical contexts, explain how they have changed over time.
Disadvantages of traditional typologies…
- Based on subjective classification, ignores how members see themselves
- Difficult to categorise, may have more than 1 ideal type
- Danger of oversimplification
Categries = ethnocentric? Do non-christianorganisations fit neatly into these categories?
