types of religious organisations

• Typologies of religious organisations-

  -there have been a number of attempts to categorise the different types of religous organisations

  -no system fits perfectly the enormous varieties organisations that have existed throughout the world

  -3 types
• church

  a large, well established religious organisation that claims monopoly on the truth

  (Traditional religious eg Judaism, Christianity, Sikhism)
• Denomination

  a less well established, medium sized organisation that has broken away from a church or a sect that has become established (eg Jehovah's witnesses, Methodists, baptists)
• sect

  a small religious organisation with norms and values that oppose those in wider society (e.g. Mormons, Hare Krishna)
• Typology of churches and sects (Weber)

  identified church's as large organisations and sects as small ones. However this is limited by sized
• Troeltsch- typology of churches

  claim monopoly over the truth (one and only truth), closely connected to the state, developed and hierarchal bureaucratic structure, mainstream and conservative organisations
• Troeltsch- typology of sects

  -claim a monopoly over the truth and are often hostile to other religious organisations

  -charismatic leadership

  -demand total commitment from members

  -hostile to state and mainstream society
• Niebuhr- typology of denominations

  -not closely connected to the state and will comment and campaign on social issues

  -their membership is larger than a sect but smaller than an established church

  -some bureaucracy and hierarchy

  -they often do not claim a monopoly over the truth being quite accepting of other demonisations, churches and religious
• wallis - cults

  -cults differ from sects in that they are individualised, loosely organised, tolerant and make very few demands on their adherents

  -cults do not claim to have found the truth, nor do they condemn those who are not part of their group

  -Wallis typified these as world-affirming new religious movements
• Evaluations-

  -troeltschs typologies do not reflect modern society and the religious pluralism of society, according to Bruce

  -Robertson-state is less concerned about opinion of the church in contemporary society

  -growth of new religious movements (NRMs) calls into question many of rigid definition
• Evaluation of traditional church typologies

  -secularisation may mean church attendance declines, meaning their following isn't as large

  -liberation theory- churches are not always connected to the state/may be against it.

  -most churches do not claim a monopoly on the truth but instead tolerate the existence of other religions.

  -Bruce believes churches can no longer claim a monopoly on religious truth and are no longer universal and are therefore increasingly like denominations. Both churches and sects have drifted towards the characteristics of a denomination (eg Scientology)
• bruce- definition of a sect

  a loosely knit group, organised around some common themes and interests, lacking any sharply defined and exclusive belief system (typically based on spirituality e.g. crystals)
• Stark and bainbridge - cults

  cults have not broken away from existing religions, but have devised a completely new set of beliefs or religious traditions from outside that society
• Features of a cult

  -membership- open to all, people can leave or join as they wish

  -organisation- loose, charismatic leader, discourages hierarchy and seniority

  -worship and ritual- informal worship and ritual

  -sense of legitimacy- no claim on truth

  -involvement and commitment- don't demand high levels of commitment or acceptance of their teachings, ask people to be open to the experiences

  -lifespan- differs for each type of cult

  -examples- Scientology, spiritualism, new age ideas