Typologies Flashcards
Who defines a church and a sect
Troeltsch 1931
Outline key features of a church
Large organisations Born in to it Ideologically conservative - support those in power Tied to state Important social functions Hierarchy Preserve monopoly
What is an example of a Church being tied to a state
Church of England connected to state/Queen
Evaluation of a church
Many do not have majority population as active members
Not always connected to the state
Not always ideologically conservative
What is an example of a church not always being connected to the state
Liberation theology
What is an example of the church not always being ideologically conservative
Davie - number of radical bishops standing up for the poor
Who defined denominations
Niebuhr
Outline Niebuhrs denomination
Formal organisations - hierarchy Inclusive Conservative generally accepting norms and values of society Not connected to state Do not claim monopoly
What is an example of a denomination group opposing being conservative
Methodists - differ by discouraging drinking and gambling
Who defines what a sect is
Troelstch
Outline a sect
Polar opposites of churches Small organisations Not connected to state Regarded with hostility and suspicion Withdraw from wider world Charismatic leader
Evaluation of sects
Bruce: churches and sects drift to denomination
Aldridge some groups ambiguous positions: Mormons
What is an example of a sect drifting towards a denomination
Jehovahs witnesses
What is an example of a sect with an ambiguous position
Mormons
USA = denomination
UK = sect
Outline cults
Relatively small Usually dont involve a God(s) Tolerate and accept others Lack clear rules 'Buy in to services' Do not require commitment
What is Bruce’s definition of a cult
Loose knit group
Lacking any sharp definition
Or exclusive belief system
What is Stark and Bainbridge’s view on cults
They can be subdivided
Audience cults
Client cults
Cultic movements
What are audience cults
Little commitment from followers
Little more entertainment
Example of an audience cult
Scientology
What are client cults
Offer services to followers, seen as customers
Way enhancing life rather than alternative lifestyle
What are cultic movements
Members expected to give up aspects of their life
E.g. Live in commune
Offer complete spiritual package
Example of a cultic movement
Heavens gate
Evaluation of Stark and Bainbridge
Argue typologies do not adequately categorise religions because boundaries not clear cut
But own typology be criticised for own thing???
Who researched in to New Religious Movements
Wallis
What are the 3 types of NRMs
World Rejecting
World Accommodating
World Affirming
What typology are World Rejecting NRMs similar to
Sects
Example if world rejecting NRMs
Peoples Temple
Moonies
What typology are world accommodating NRMs similar to
Denomination
Example of a World Accommodating NRM
Neo-Pentecostalism
What typology is a World Affirming NRM similar to
Cults
Example of a world affirming NRM
Scientology
Reasons for growth in sects and cults
Practical Secularisation Post Modernity Globalisation Social Deprivation Status Frustration Relative Deprivation Social Change Protests
What are the practical reasons for appeal of growth of sects and cults
Appeal affluent, successful m.c. who find something missing in their lives
Groups claim offer knowledge,techniques and therapies enable unlock spiritual powers
Who argues growth of sects and cults is pragmatic reasoning
Heelas
How does Becker support practical reasons for growth in sects and cults
Becker: turn to sects to escape
E.G. Moonies offer substitute families
How does Giddens argue secularisation lead to growth in sects and cults
People feel traditional religion watered down due to secularisation = find comfort and ‘greater sense community in smaller, less impersonal NRMs’
How does Bruce argue secularisation lead to growth in sects and cults
Attraction lies in techniques they offer
Bring spiritual dimensions
Attract those turned off by mainstream religion
Provide refuge
What is Post Modernity’s main concept in reasons fir growth in sects and cults
Filling vacuum of meaning
Why does Post Modernity argue growth in sects and cults
Filling vacuum of meaning
Heelas: new source meaning and purpose
Bauman: crisis of meaning - want to be somebody
Identity formation - meet personal needs and lifestyle choices
How does globalisation lead to growth sects and cults
‘Media saturated society’
Pick and choose beliefs from across the world
Communicate larger nos than ever
Media/Internet raised visibility and profile
How does social deprivation according to Weber lead to a growth in sects and cults
Weber: provide theodicy of disprivilege = religious explanation and justification for marginalisation
How does social deprivation according to Stark and Bainbridge lead to a growth in sects and cults
Stark and Bainbridge: act as a compensator deal with marginalisation. Secularisation mainstream means they are less able to do this role.
Sects = close-knit groups similar positions = sense of security
How does status frustration lead to a growth in sects and cults
Wallis:
Support for identity and status independent of school or family
How does relative deprivation cause a growth in sects and cults
Stark and Bainbridge: subjective feeling of lacking something = could be sense spiritual or emotional inadequacy = sects overcome this
How does social change lead growth of sects
Wilson: rapid/sudden change lead to sects = people feel anomie. Provide solutions in uncertainty
Providing new and clearly defined belief systems, supportive groups
Certainty in uncertain world
How do protests lead to growth in sects and cults
Glock and Stark
Appeal those opposing existing society or other religious groups
Growth in 60s reflecting disillusionment and protest of society
Why are cults and sects short lived
Neibuhr: die out, become denominations, fail to recruit, charismatic leader dies, whole group dies, becomes more structured/bureaucratic
What is an example of a sect where the whole group dies
Peoples Temple
Why does Wilson argue it depends if sects and cults are short lived or not
Depends if Adventist or Conversationist - how they answer the question how will i be saved
Concedes that rising standards education, increased media, globalisation difficult to remain isolated
What is Wallis’ argument for the future of sects/cults
Depends on internal ideology
World affirming? Rejecting? Accommodating?
What is Yingers argument on the future of sects and cults
Isnt just a choice of dying out or becoming a denomination, they may become a long established sect e.g. Amish
What is Stark and Bainbridge’s 5 concepts for the future of sects and cults
Schism - less privileged, isolated, want to break away
Initial Fervour - new leader, world rejecting
Becomes More Respectable - 2nd generation adopt beliefs
Established and Acceptable
New Schism
Characteristics of New Age Movements
Post 1980 Not organised same as traditional: independent of organisation and spread through culture Exist in holistic milieu Individualistic God/Goddess within
Key themes of New Age Movements
Spirituality - God/Goddess within
Detraditionalistion - reject authority church more moral views
Expressive Individualism - world rejecting
Utilitarian Individualism
What are the beliefs of a NAM
Emphasis on self and self within
Everything is connected: holistic
Self is final authority: base things personal experience
Global Cafeteria: experiences/beliefs
Therapy: make you more successful/healthier/happier
Why have NAM grown
Post modernity Reaction against rationalism Individualism Consumer culture Globalisation Religious pluralism/social fragmentation Looking for meaning (Bauman)
