Typologies Flashcards
2 differences between church and sect
Churches are universalistic, sects are exclusive.
Churches are dominant, sects are smaller break aways.
2 differences between a sect and a cult
Sects claim monopoly of truth but cults do not.
Cults impose some restrictions but are not as demanding as sects.
Name the Roy Wallis 3 types of NRM
World rejecting, world accommodating, world affirming
World rejecting NRM
Highly critical, members live separate from the world.
World accommodating NRM
Neither accept or reject, focus on religious rather than worldly matters.
World affirming NRM
Offer spiritual or supernatural powers. They are non-exclusive and tolerant of others.
Name 3 types of cult from stark and brainbridge
Audience cult, client cult, cultic movement
Audience cult
No formal membership and the least organised
Client cult
Provide a service like self discovery
Cultic movement
The most organised
Name the 3 big causes of growth of NRMs
Relative deprivation, social change and marginality
What happens to sects when the leader dies
It dies or becomes a denomination
Why do some sects become established
They have been around for hundreds of years e.g Amish
Two common themed according to heelas that characterise the new age
Spiritual journey and not being linked to traditional religions
What is a New Age movement
A movement that draws on old religious and spiritual practices (specifically Eastern ones) but they are new in western societies.
What is a denomination
It’s midway between a church and a sect. It’s less exclusive than a sect but doesn’t appeal to the whole of society
What is a cult
It’s an NRM. Usually without a sharply defined belief system and they are les by people who claim special knowledge.
2 disadvantages of religious typologies
- Religious pluralism in the uk means the church classification is irrelevant
- It is outdated and Eurocentric meaning based on Christianity
2 reasons why sects/norms are short lived
Death of leader or changing circumstances or members
2 reasons why sects/NRMs are not short lived
Successful in socialising 2nd gen, sects engage more with society and become more like a denomination
Similarities/Differences between sects and cults
Both are seen as deviant but cults have more flexible leaders rather than one charismatic person.
Name 4 new age beliefs/practices
Spiritual growth, meditation, mindfulness and yoga
What does agnostic mean
Not being sure if there’s a god or not
What is a theoretical issue
Qualitative/Quantitative/validity/reliability
What is a practical issue
Funding,time, access
Why do interpretivists object to official statistics
Lacks verstehen and validity
What methods do feminists favour and why
Unstructured interviews
What does going native mean
Over involvement in a participant observation
