Dynamics of Sects and NRMs

• Niebuhr argues that world-rejecting organisations are due to a split of an established church
• Niebuhr argues Sects are short lived and will die out quickly
• Niebuhr identified 4 reasons for Sects breaking apart;

  • Second Generation
  • 'Protestant ethic' effect
  • Death of a Leader
  • Hostility of wider society
• The Second generation may lack the commitment to continues the sect
• The 'Protestant ethic' effect is that hard work will allow for people to become socially mobile and will reduce its hostility to society
• Death of a Leader means a charismatic leader has died and the Sect cannot continue without them
• Hostility of Wider Society, Wallis argues that Sects die out due to moral panics at allegations of brainwashing and sexual deviance
• The Peoples Temple died out due to a death of a leader and hostility of the wider society
• The Unification Church became a denomination due to the second generations lack of enthusiasm
• Heaven's Gate died out due to the death of a leader, Nettles died due to cancer
• The Sectarian cycle by Stark and Bainbridge states that religious organisations move through a cycle
• Sectarian Cycle

  Schism; Tension of deprived and privileged members

  Initial Fervour; Charismatic leader and have shared goals

  Denominationalism; Second generation are not as charismatic

  Establishment; Sect becomes more world accepting and reduces tension with wider society

  Further Schism; More passionate or less privileged break away to true original message
• Wilson argues that some sects have survived many generations despite the sectarian cycle