16. Types of Organisations

• What is Troeltsch's definition of churches?


  - large organisations run by hierarchies that claim a monopoly of truth

  - they are the most established and are universalistic and are integrated into mainstream culture

  eg. the catholic church or islam
• What is Troeltsch's definition of a sect?


  - small, exclusive groups that are hostile towards wider society and expect high levels of commitment from their followers

  - they are often led by a charismatic leader

  - also believe they hold a monopoly of truth

  - often radical protest movements set up in opposition to a dominant mainstream religion

  eg. nation of islam or amish
• What is Niebhur's definition of denominations?


  - lie midway between churches and sects

  - broadly accept mainstream societal values but are unlinked to the state

  - impose minor restrictions but aren't as demanding as sects

  are tolerant of other organisations and don't claim a monopoly of truth

  - are less hierarchical and don't have as much of an appeal in society

  eg. methodists and shia muslims
• How many Christian denominations are there in Britain (Brierley)?


  250
• Cults

  - highly individualistic and small groups

  - based around shared interests and themes but have no sharply defined belief system

  - not based in theology

  - usually led by 'practitioners' who claim special knowledge

  - usually tolerant of other organisations and don't claim monopoly over truth
• What are Wallis' key similarities & differences between the 4 organisations?


  - how they see themselves - churches and sects claim that their interpretation of faith is the only legitimate one whereas denominations and cults don't

  - how others see them - churches and denominations are seen as legitimate forms of belief whereas cults and sects aren't
• What did Stark & Bainbridge say is a difference between cults & sects?


  sects have broken away from another established religious group whereas cults have no previous links to other organisatiosn
• NRMs

  New Religious Movements (Sects & cults)
• What are Wallis' 3 types of new religious movements?


  World affirming

  World rejecting

  World accommodating
• World affirming NRMs

  - often the most successful of movements eg. self help

  - accept the world as it is and are optimistic and promise success in mainstream goals to their followers

  - non-exclusive and tolerant of other people's beliefs but claim to hold special knowledge

  - most are cults
• World accommodating NRMs

  most similar to traditional religions, often an offshoot of church or denomination
• World rejecting NRMs

  most similar to troeltsch's sects

  - clearly religious organisations

  - highly critical of the outside world and seek radical change to it

  - members must completely reject their former life to achieve salvation, live communally with one another and have restricted contact with the outside world
• What is Stark & Bainbridge's criticism to Wallis & Wilson

  Sects & cults should be divided by attitude instead of practice and ranges from complementary to society or rejecting of society