Religious organisations

• Who was the first sociologist to identify different types of religious organisations?

  Ernst Troeltsch
• What are the two main types of religious organisations identified by Troeltsch?

  Church and sect
• What characterizes a church according to Troeltsch?

  Large, bureaucratic, universalistic, and conservative
• What is an example of a church with millions of members?

  Catholic Church
• How do sects differ from churches?

  Sects are small, exclusive, and hostile
• What is a common characteristic of both churches and sects?

  Both claim a monopoly of religious truth
• What does Richard Niebuhr describe denominations as?

  Midway between churches and sects
• What are the five features of denominations?

  • Less exclusive membership than sects
  • Broad acceptance of social values
  • Not linked to the state
  • Minor restrictions on members
  • Less demanding than sects
• What characterizes a cult?

  Highly individualistic and loose-knit
• What is an example of a cult?

  Scientology
• What are the three features of a cult?

  Led by practitioners, tolerant, low commitment
• How do sects and churches view their legitimacy?

  Both see themselves as the only legitimate one
• What is the similarity between denominations and cults?

  Both accept many valid interpretations
• How are churches and denominations viewed by wider society?

  Both are legitimate and respected
• How are cults and sects perceived by wider society?

  Both are seen as deviant and stigmatized
• What does Bruce argue about the church's religious monopoly?

  It only applied before the 16th century
• What examples of churches are mentioned?

  Christianity, Islam, Judaism
• What is an example of a denomination?

  Pentecostalism
• What does Pentecostalism emphasize?

  Direct experience of God through the Holy Spirit
• What biblical event is Pentecostalism based on?

  The event of Pentecost
• What do Pentecostalists believe about the Holy Spirit?

  It can inhibit someone's body
• What is the significance of speaking in tongues for Pentecostalists?

  It connects them to God
• What is a key principle of Evangelicalism?

  To spread biblical lessons
• What percentage of adults in the US are Evangelical?

  6%
• What political affiliation is often associated with Evangelicalism?

  Right-wing political party
• Who led the Peoples Temple?

  Jim Jones
• What was the initial focus of the Peoples Temple?

  Social justice and racial integration
• What did Jim Jones promote among his followers?

  Communal living and social activism
• What tactics did Jim Jones use to control members?

  Fear tactics about nuclear holocausts
• What allegations surfaced about the Peoples Temple?

  Abuse, financial fraud, and mistreatment
• What is a characteristic of Jim Jones as a sect leader?

  Charismatic and authoritative
• What is an example of a cult mentioned in the material?

  The Church of Scientology
• Who founded Transcendental Meditation?

  Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
• What do followers of Transcendental Meditation believe?

  Meditation develops human potential
• What do Scientologists believe about improving lives?

  By applying the philosophy of Dianetics
• What device is used in Scientology for auditing?

  E. meter
• How does Wallis categorize new religious movements (NRMs)?

  Into three groups: reject, accommodate, affirm
• Name an example of a world-rejecting NRM.

  The Unification Church 'Moonies'
• What are the characteristics of world-rejecting NRMs?

  • Clearly religious with a notion of God
  • Highly critical of the outside world
  • Require members to break from their former selves
  • Members live communally with restricted outside contact
  • Often have conservative moral codes
• What do world-accommodating NRMs focus on?

  Restoring the spiritual purity of religion