YR2 BELIEFS: organisations, movements, members

Question 1

In what 4 ways do religious groups differ?

Answer 1

1) how they worship
2) their leadership
3) their relationship with the state
4) who they appeal to

Question 2

How many (main) classifications is there of religious groups? Name them

Answer 2

SIX
1) Church
2) Sect
3) Denomination
4) Cult
5) Millenarian movement
6) New Age movement

Question 3

Give 3 key characteristics of Church (7)

Answer 3

-large organisations
-claim monopoly over the truth
-universalistic (aim to include all of society)
-don’t demand much from members
-run by bureaucracy
-closely tied to the state
-tend to attract higher classes

Question 4

Give an example of a Church

Answer 4

• Catholic Church
• Church of England

Question 5

Give 3 key characteristics of a sect (8)

Answer 5

-small organisation, small in members
-exclusive group
-led by 1 charismatic leader
-claim monopoly over the truth
-hostile to wider society
-expect high commitment
-no connection to the state
-draw members from poor oppressed groups

Question 6

Give an example of a sect

Answer 6

west - boro baptist Church

Question 7

Give 3 key characteristics of a denomination

Answer 7

-midway between church and sect
-not linked to state
-broadly accept societys values
-impose minor restrictions on members like forbidding alcohol
-tolerant of other religions

Question 8

Give an example of a denomination

Answer 8

Methodist Church

Question 9

Give 3 key characteristics of a millenarian movement

Answer 9

-believe in the coming of a new world through supernatural intervention
-demand full social change
-promise hope of a new, better life
-main theme tends to be regeneration and creation of a better person
-often includes worship of hero

Question 10

Give an example of a millenarian movement

Answer 10

Heaven’s Gate

Question 11

Give 3 key characteristics of a cult (SOCIOLOGY)

Answer 11

-least organised religious organisation
-highly individualised
-small group around a shared theme with no sharply defined belief system
-dont demand strong commitment
-tolerant of other organisations
-followers are like customers
-led by people who claim to offer specific knowledge

Question 12

Give an example of a cult

Answer 12

Transcendental meditation

Question 13

Give 3 key characteristics of a New Age movement

Answer 13

-loosely organised cults
-extremely diverse and eclectic
-put unconnected ideas together in new combinations
-focus on self spirituality and discovering truth within yourself
-focus on detraditionalization
-value personal experience
- offer mix of world affirming and rejecting ideas

Question 14

Give and example of a new age movement

Answer 14

Crystals

Question 15

What is an NRM? Name the 3 types Wallis identified

Answer 15

New Religious Movements that dont fit into previous classifications
1) World Rejecting
2) World Accommodating
3) World Affirming