Religious organisations and movements

Religious organisations and movements

1. Churches

   • large organiations
   • few demands of members
   • monopoly of the truth
   • Linked to the state

2. Sects

   • Small
   • exclusive groups
   • hostile to wider society
   • breakaways from existing religions
   • monopoly of the truth

3. Cults

   • least organised of all organisations
   • Highly individualistic
   • no defining belief system
   • new religions

4. Denominations

   • accepts societies values
   • not linked to the state
   • tolerant of other religions

5. New Religious Movements (NRMs)

   • World Rejecting NRMs
     • critical of the outside world
     • expect radical change from followers
     • limited contact with outside world
   • World Accommodating NRMs
     • Breakaways from existing churches
     • They neither accept or reject the world
   • World Affirming NRMs
     • followers can access spiritual or supernatural powers
     • promise followers success in their goals