religious organisation

• religious organisation

  the Church = largest organisation associated with Christianity

  The Church of England or The Roman Catholic Church

  -linked to the state = inclusive - public holidays are based upon christian teachings

  -run by the hierarchy of professional priests - the pope

  -claim a monopoly of truth = religions offers the only truth that everyone should follow

  -membership is open to everyone = flexible and anyone can join it but it mainly attracts middle class as most of the priests come from wealthy backgrounds and churches have evolved some of the religious traditionals
• denomination = smaller than a church - methodism and pentecostalism

  accept society's values but is not linked to the state - not inclusive

  do not claim a monopoly of truth

  membership is open to all = only to those that are born into religion - outsiders are not welcome

  place minor restrictions on the members like methodists are not allowed to drink (alcohol) or gamble

  attract everyone but generally working class
• sect = small, exclusive group

  led by a charismatic leader = the people's temple -Jim Jones who had control over his followers

  claim a monopoly of truth and according to Jim religion was the only way to paradise

  membership is closed as they live separately from the outside world mean the non-members weren't welcome

  demand total commitment as it places major restrictions like not socialising with non-members

  attract working class + ethnic minority groups - no rituals lack of routine
• cult = least organised organisation with no strict hierarchy e.g scientology

  led by practitioners with special knowledge to help followers with spirituality + to overcome problems

  individualistic = offer members techniques to live happier + successful at work

  do not claim a monopoly of work - tolerant of other religions

  membership is open to all = flexible as you can come and go whenever you want as anyone with an interest can join

  attract middle class as they have money "interest" and working class doesn't
• evaluation

  • problem of classification - all of these organisations have a long list of characteristics which makes it very confusing. some religions fit more than one organisations e.g scientology - calls itself a church but is a cult however is similar to sect
  • problem of stigma - term sect + cult are problematic for research because they are viewed as "weird" +"freaky". religious groups do not want to be labelled as dangerous or threatening groups
  • problem of general application - classifications are limited to mainstream religions from a particular time + place like Chirtianity