Definitions of religious organisations

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A Levels Sociology Flashcards on Definitions of religious organisations, created by rgav97 on 13/03/2015.
rgav97
Flashcards by rgav97, updated more than 1 year ago
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Created by rgav97 over 9 years ago
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The Church (Troelsch) Large, formal, organisations- hierarchy of paid officials, carries out social functions, financially secure. Universal appeal- support the norms and values of those in power, attempt to appeal to all members of society, members are usually born into the faith. Tied to the state- large organisations with wide influence, involved in government.
The Sect (Troelsch) Small organisations- handful to a few thousand members, no bureaucratic structure. Alternative values- withdraw from wider society, may oppose the values of wider society, demand intense loyalty.
Denominations (Niebuhr) Hierarchy like Churches. Appeal to as wide audience. Support dominant norms and values. Do not have universal appeal. Represent a significant minority rather than a majority.
World-rejecting New Religious Movements (NRMs) (Wallis) Strict moral codes. Demand great loyalty. Live away from the outside world. Radically critical of the outside world. E.g. the People's Temple and Jonestown massacre (1978).
World-affirming NRMs (Wallis) Accept the world as it is. Hold mainstream norms and values. Focus on helping followers with mainstream goals. Not demanding. E.g. transcendental meditation.
World-accommodating NRMs (Wallis) Breakaways from existing religions. Focus on religious matters; aim to restore former purity. Neither affirm nor reject wider society. E.g. neo-charismatic churches and the gift of the Holy Spirit (speaking in tongues).
Cults (Bruce) Beliefs do not usually involve a god/gods. Tolerate other belief systems. Lack clear organisation. Members 'buy in' like customers.
General typology of religious organisations (Wallis) Respectable Vs deviant. Uniquely legitimate Vs pluralistically legitimate.
Respectable Vs deviant Respectable: conform to the dominant values and norms of society. Deviant: reject the dominant values and norms of society.
Uniquely legitimate Vs pluralistically legitimate Uniquely legitimate: believe that only they hold the ultimate truth. Pluralistically legitimate: recognise other belief systems right to exist.
Sects and Cults (Stark and Bainbridge) Sects: broken off from existing religions, conflict with wider society. Cults: offer new/novel beliefs.
Audience cults (Stark and Bainbridge) Little commitment required. Often exist to entertain. E.g. astrology.
Client cults (Stark and Bainbridge) Offer services to improve members' lives. Members often seen as customers who 'buy in'. E.g. transcendental meditation.
Cultic movements High commitment needed. The cult dictates lifestyle. E.g. members may live away from wider society in a commune.
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