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BELIEFS (2) - NRMs (2), NIEBUHR: 'denomination or death', *fits w/…
BELIEFS (2) - NRMs (2)
WHAT?
WORLD-AFFIRMING
mostly associated w/ cults; accept values of society, aim to provide a new means to achieve these, lack conventional features of a religion, focus on spiritual potential, some £ investment
WORLD-ACCOMODATING
mostly associated w/ churches/ denominations; rather focus on religious matters than worldly, members lead conventional lives + conform to societies norms + values
WORLD-REJECTING
mostly associated w/ sects; see the world as corrupt/ beyond change, seek to change it/ attempt to through radical change, members must give up their former lives
FEATURES (BARKER)
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appeal to white, younger, m/c women
led by charismatic leader - powerful, imposing + magnetic personality
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high turnover - NRMs are usually short-lived; STARK: 1/100 NRMs will attract more than 100,000 followers and last for as long as a century
WHY PEOPLE JOIN
SOCIAL DEPRIVATION, MARGINALITY & THEODICIES OF DISPRIVILEGE
sects accept ppl who has been marginalised for financial/ personal reasons - sects help bring in ppl by giving a theodicy of disprivilege, an explanation for their position
sects can also act as a form of compensation, giving ppl what they lacked in society - security, and the idea they were chosen for this life for something better
STATUS FRUSTRATION
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lack of formal responsibilities may mean they feel lost, so look for something to fulfil themselves
sects are then joined by choice, giving them identity + supportive space, giving them companionship + independence
RELATIVE DEPRIVATION
m/c can also join cults, as they feel they're deprived spiritually rather than financially
cults can offer a sense of direction to self-improvement + providing services, filling the gap to remove the feeling of relative deprivation
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WHY NRMs ARE SHORT-LIVED
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RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY
postmodern society has pick and mix religious beliefs, so ppl embark on spiritual shopping, picking what fits their lifestyle
beliefs are seen as a purely personal matter, and ppl can experiment w/o long-term commitment
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