New Religious Movements

Q: New Religious Movements

__Wallis__ argues that new religious movements fit into three different groups based on how they see the world.

Q: Sects

__Stark and Bainbridge__ argue that sects have short life spans. They suggest that sects usually progress through the ‘sectarian cycle’ which has the following 5 stages.

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New Religious Movements

Wallis argues that new religious movements fit into three different groups based on how they see the world. 

World affirming movement 

Most are cults.
Do not denounce other religions.
Attempt to be optimistic and enhance the lives of their followers.
Attractive for ambitious professionals who seek progression. 
Accept the world in its current state, do not seek societal change.
Members are usually seen as clients or customers rather than religious believers.
Often charge fees for their services and teachings.

World accommodating movement 

Usually denominations.
Although not happy with the current state of the world, they wish to make the most of their situation.
These movements focus on improving the lives of their followers whilst still conforming to society.
They are often popular with vulnerable communities as they can inspire a more determined work ethic or salvation in the afterlife.

World rejecting movement   

Vast majority are sects.
Demand social change as they do not agree with the current state of the world. 
Often leave old lives behind and create new identities and communities that are marginalised from the mainstream. 
Seen as millenarian movements as they focus on the intervention of a divine power to bring judgement on those who are sinful.
Have a clear understanding of god and focus on the literal truth of the sacred text – therefore fundamentalist in nature.

Sects

Stark and Bainbridge argue that sects have short life spans. They suggest that sects usually progress through the ‘sectarian cycle’ which has the following 5 stages.

Stark and Bainbridge

Stark and Bainbridge argue that sects have short life spans.
They suggest that sects usually progress through the ‘sectarian cycle’ which has the following 5 stages.

Schism 

Schism:
- The first stage of a sect’s life occurs when members of a traditional church breakaway and form their own movement.

Initial fervour

Initial fervour:
- The sect’s leader establishes their values which often cause conflict with that of wider society.

Denominationalism 

Denominationalism:
- The intensity of the movement cools down over time, especially when the second generation do not have the same beliefs as their parents.

Establishment 

Establishment :
- The sect becomes more accepting of the world as it begins to compromise with wider society.

Further Schism

Further Schism:
- Some members that hold the original beliefs become frustrated with the movement and therefore break away to form a new sect.
- The cycle begins again.

Reasons for Growth of New Religious Movements

The main reasons for the growth of new religious movements are a response to marginalisation, relative deprivation, and responses to social change.

A response to marginalisation 

Weber claimed that new religious movements tend to attract individuals who do not belong to the majority within a community.
New religious movements offer explanations for their circumstances and ways to improve them, as well as creating a community of people with similar beliefs.

Relative deprivation 

Barker discusses a more recent trend of young middle-class people being attracted to new religious movements such as the ‘Moonies’.
Barker notes that in some cases, young middle-class children feel neglected by their career orientated parents and therefore suffer from relative deprivation when they compare their experiences to peers who have strong connections with their parents.