why do people participate in NAMS/cults

Question 1

points

Answer 1

individualism
decline in status of science
decline in trad churches
rise in consumerism

Question 2

individualism

Answer 2

Giddens- society more focused round individual in late modernity
ppl increasingly reflecting upon choices available to them (reflexivity)
individuals choosing own identity
NAMs help people find themselves

Question 3

individualism AO3

Answer 3

Bruce weak religion, watered down version of faith, less dedication, only applies to MC

Question 4

decline in status of science

Answer 4

HEELAS- decline in status and its failure to solve problems eg ill health like cancer, people feel uncertain about how to make sense of everyday actions
NAMS offer alt belief systems
links to pmods decline in grand narratives eg science, people free to pick own ways to understand health and spirituality eg reiki, natural remedies, crystal healing

Question 5

decline in status of science AO3

Answer 5

Malinowski, ppl turn to religion in times of crisis as a comfort alongside science, eg seeing doctor with natural remedies on side

Question 6

decline in trad churches

Answer 6

NAM grown, ppl turn to new explanations to make sense of world, fill vacuum of meaning
trad churches beliefs outdated and so cannot offer explanations for modern problems, lack emphasis on spirituality that NAMS crave
HEELAS- multiplicity of roles in society (mother, daughter, sister) easy to lose identity, no real self and NAMS help to cope with multi roles

Question 7

decline in trad churches ao3

Answer 7

christocentric, no such vacuum of meaning in ems eg islam still religious, spiritualism still exists through prayer

Question 8

rise in consumerism

Answer 8

HEELAS- contemporary consumer culture encourages ppl to strive to be perfect person, especially soc media
NAM give ability to feel as though they are moving to a state of perfection eg inner peace, sound health
NAMS require little formal commitment, so can approach spirituality the same way a person would clothes by trying out ones until they find the right fit
pick and mix identity

Question 9

rise in consumerism AO3

Answer 9

spiritual shopping, free to shop around for identity (supports)