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Meredith Mcguire's Religion: The Social Context (Fourth Edition)
Chapter 5 -- Religious Collectivities
Michael R. Leming, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology
Spring Semester 1998
- Distinguish between Troeltsch's three types of religious
organizations--church, sect, and mysticism. Now distinguish further the
concepts of denomination (Niebuhr), cult (Becker), and established sect
(Yinger).
- What social variables serve as crucial differentiation factors in
distinguishing between the 5 concepts found above?
- Explain the effect of the religious group's acceptance of the norms of
society and the group's self-conceived legitimacy upon the "type" of
religious organization.
- What are the effects of each of the following upon the typing of
religious organization:
- societal context
- level of analysis
- time period
- organization differentiation, specialization, and complexity
- elitism and exclusiveness
- organizational polity
- What effect do segmented religious and secular life and level of
religious commitment have upon types of religious orientations (Church,
Denominational, Sectarian, and Cultic)? Give examples of each.
- What are the three types of religious sub-cultures within religious
organization? Describe and give examples of each. Why do these religious
sub-cultures tend to be sectarian and cultic?
- McGuire says "Increasing sectarianism may well be necessary for
certain religious groups to survive in contemporary society. Why would she
make this claim?
- How do the factors of deprivation, social dislocation, and
socioeconomic change lead to the formation of sects and cults?
- McGuire cites 4 central themes for new religious movements (sectarian
and cultic). What are they and give examples of each.
- What are O'Dea's five inherent dilemmas of institutionalization and
how do they lead to organizational transformations? Give examples of each.
Go back to Sociology 265 - Discussion Questions
If you have any questions or comments please email:
leming@stolaf.edu
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