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Religious Organisations (New Religious Movements (World accommodating…
Religious Organisations
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The Denomination
Neibuhr suggests denominations are all likely to share these characteristics; Relatively large following, many members from working class and lower middle-class backgrounds, older denominations (Methodism) have an inclusive membership, usually national organisation- places of worship in most towns/cities in UK.
Cults VS Sects
Cults: Believe following one path among many towards spiritual awareness or satisfaction. They're often reclusive and withdrawn from society.
Sects: (like churches) see themselves as legitimised by God and therefore the only true path to salvation. They tend to be critical of mainstream society but not withdrawn.
New Religious Movements
Wallis 1984- NRM's have evolved from early 1950's. Wallis categorised them according to their relationship with the outside world.
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World rejecting NRM's
Wallis said sects are an example of this because they tend to be highly critical of the outside world.
Features: Highly critical of outside world, high level of committment, strict rules concerning membership, believe only source of salvation, participation in outside world minimal as possible, e.g. Children of God and ISKCON Krishna Consciousness.
World affirming NRM's
Referred to as a cult. Tend to not have church/ religious place of worship, not critical of other religions. Have open membership witrh little social control. Prepared to share 'secrets' with outside world. Focus on helping members succeed in outside world. E.g. Scientology, Transcendentaln Mediation.
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Cultish activity
Stark and Bainbridge (1985): Ordinary people often engage in clutish activities. Physical exercise, e.g. Yoga bring balance of healthy mind & body.
Some people engage in them as it's fashionable. Sometimes for fun;horoscopes, tarot cards, etc.
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New- Age Movements
Heelas & Davie claim New-Age movements (NAM's) mix of beliefs and practices based on environmentalism, Eastern and Western philosophy and criticisms of science. OFten referred to as 'self-religiond' claim to be only way people can find spiritual satisfaction or life-affirming skills.