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New Religious Movements and New Age, Growth of religious movements -…
New Religious Movements and New Age
Church
Large organisations
Often with millions of members
(Catholic Church) Run by a hierarchy of professional priests
Claim a monopoly of the truth
More attractive to higher classes
They aim to include the whole of society
They claim that their interpretation of faith is the only correct one
Sect
Small, exclusive groups
Hostile to wider society
Expect a high level of commitment
They draw their members from the poor and oppressed
Most are led by a charismatic leader
They believe they have a monopoly of religious truth
They claim that their interpretation of faith is the only correct one
Denomination
Lying midway between a church and a sect
Membership is less exclusive than sects
They don't appeal to the whole of society
They broadly accept society's values
But they are not linked to the state
They impose minor restrictions on members (forbidding alcohol)
Not as demanding as sects
Tolerant of other religious organisations, do not claim monopoly of the truth
Cult
Least organised
Highly individualistic
Lacks a clearly defined and exclusive belief system
Usually led by 'practitioners'/'therapists'
Usually tolerant of other organisations and their beliefs
Do not demand strong commitment from followers
World-rejecting NRMs
Clearly religious organisations with a clear notion of God
Highly critical of the outside world
Members are expected to break from mainstream society
Controls every aspect of their members lives
Has a reputation for 'brainwashing'
E.g. Moonies, the Manson Family, the Branch Davidian, the People's Temple
World-affirming NRMs
They accept the world as it is
Tolerant of other religions
Claim to offer additional special knowledge that enables people to unlock their own spiritual powers
Most are cults, whose followers are often customers rather than members
E.g. Scientology
World-accommodating NRMs
Offshoots of an existing major church or denomination
They neither accept or reject the world
They seek to restore the spiritual purity of religion
E.g. Subud
Evaluation
Some argue that it is not clear whether Wallis is categorising them according to the movement's teachings or individual members' beliefs
Wallis ignores the diversity of beliefs that exist within an NRM
Marginality
Sects draw their members from the poor and oppressed
Sects offer an explanation for their suffering/disadvantage
Relative deprivation
The subjective sense of being deprived
Someone who is actually privileged could still feel they are deprived
Social change
Periods of rapid change disrupt established norms
People may turn to sects as a solution
Growth of religious movements