Traditional Typology

Question 1

What are the 4 types?

Answer 1

Churches
Denominations
sects
Cults

Question 2

Why is it important to categories religion?

Answer 2

IOT operationalise them.

Question 3

Who identified churches?

Answer 3

Weber

Question 4

Who described the difference between sects + churches?

Answer 4

Troeltsch (1931)

Question 5

Who identified cults?

Answer 5

Troeltsch (1931)

Question 6

When did Troeltsch write?

Answer 6

1931

Question 7

What did Troeltsch write about?

Answer 7

He described the difference between sects + churches which led to the identification of cults.

Question 8

When did Niebuhr write?

Answer 8

1925

Question 9

What did Niebuhr (1925) introduce?

Answer 9

Denominations

Question 10

What are some examples of churches?

Answer 10

Roman Catholic, C of E

Question 11

What are some examples of sects?

Answer 11

Heaven’s Gate, People’s Temple

Question 12

What are some examples of denominations?

Answer 12

Methodism, Neo-pentecostalism

Question 13

What are some examples of cults?

Answer 13

Scientology, Transcendental Meditation

Question 14

What is the largest religious organisation in the UK?

Answer 14

Churches - most of them affiliated to Christianity

Question 15

How is a cult in sociology different from the media representation?

Answer 15

It’s not as extreme as it is portrayed in the media - the sociology version of a cult is a sect.

Question 16

What is the structure of churches?

Answer 16

Hierarchal structure, bureaucratic, paid officials - often powerful and deathly individuals.

Question 17

What is the churches attitude towards other religions?

Answer 17

Tend to be intolerant, claim the monopoly of truth.

Question 18

What is the membership like in churches?

Answer 18

Inclusive, millions of members - generally the mc and older.

Question 19

What level of commitment do churches demand?

Answer 19

Low level, very few demands but are universalistic and aim to include society as a whole.

Question 20

What do sects tend to be?

Answer 20

Short lived

Question 21

What is the structure of sects?

Answer 21

Often no hierarchy of paid officials or bureaucracy but.a more egalitarian structure.
Members have a tight knit community
Small, exclusive groups
Led by 1 charismatic leader

Question 22

Sects attitudes to other religions…

Answer 22

Hostile, claim the monopoly of truth - only members are the ‘saved chosen ones’.

Question 23

Sects attitudes to wider society…

Answer 23

HOSTILE!

Question 24

Memberships of sects…

Answer 24

Members tend to be those who have been marginalised by society.

Question 25

What level of commitment do sects demand?

Answer 25

High level of commitment - sometime require their members to give up their whole lives + families so they can focus all of their attention on the sect.

Question 26

What is the structure of denominations?

Answer 26

They lie midway between a sect and a cult

Question 27

Denominations attitudes to other religions?

Answer 27

Tolerant of other religions and they no longer claim the monopoly of truth.

Question 28

Denominations attitudes to wider society?

Answer 28

World accommodating - like churches, but they are not linked to the state. Integrates with the world - accepts secular culture.

Question 29

Membership of denominations...

Answer 29

Tend to attract wc | Membership is self selecting (like churches)

Question 30

What level of commitment to denominations demand?

Answer 30

Integrates with the world - accepts secular culture | Imposes minor restrictions on its members e.g. forbidding alcohol.

Question 31

What is the structure of a cult like?

Answer 31

Least organised Highly individualistic, loose knit groups based on shared themes/ interests Usually led by 'therapist' who claims to have special knowledge.

Question 32

What is the least organised type?

Answer 32

Cults

Question 33

Cults attitudes to other religions...

Answer 33

Tolerant of other religions

Question 34

Cults attitudes to wider society...

Answer 34

World affirming

Question 35

Membership of cults...

Answer 35

Members tend to have an above average income (mc w) Referred to as clients/ customers Often few like they are missing something in their lives.

Question 36

Level of commitment demanded by cults?

Answer 36

Don't demand a strong level of commitment - members are more like customers.

Question 37

Advantages of traditional typologies...

Answer 37

- ID key characteristics os religious organisations, showing similarities and differences - Makes some attempt to locate religious organisations in their historical contexts, explain how they have changed over time.

Question 38

Disadvantages of traditional typologies...

Answer 38

- Based on subjective classification, ignores how members see themselves - Difficult to categorise, may have more than 1 ideal type - Danger of oversimplification Categries = ethnocentric? Do non-christianorganisations fit neatly into these categories?