Religious structures and organisations

Church and Sect

A church is a large, bureaucratically organised religious organisation that is well-integrated into the larger society.
Churches seek to embrace all people in a society and their philosophies tend to be mainstream and accommodating.
A sect is a small, relatively new group that formed to protest elements of its parent religion. Sects are often antagonistic toward society.
Sects usually have a charismatic leader and enforce a strict code of behaviour often at odds with wider society.

Denomination and Cult

A denomination lies somewhere between a church and a sect, they are not state-sponsored and are more accommodating of deviant behaviour than a church.
Denominations are religious subgroups that share a common belief system but are a part of a larger religious institution.
A cult is a small, informal, and secretive religious organisation that represents either a new religion or a major innovation of an existing faith.
Cults may be world-affirming, world-rejecting or world-accommodating.

Fundamentalism

Fundamentalism refers to movements within major world religions that reject secular society and demand a return to traditional religious values.
Fundamentalist sects often reject religious reinterpretation or reformation and perceive challenges to their views as threats.
Fundamentalist movements are found in many religions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism.

Globalisation and Religion

Globalisation has enabled the spread of religious ideas and practices across borders, leading to the emergence of global religious communities.
It has also led to a growth in religious pluralism.
However, globalisation may also lead to religious conflict, cultural homogenisation, and the dilution of traditional beliefs and practices.

Religiosity Trends

Secularisation theory suggests that religion is becoming less significant in contemporary society, as evidenced by declining church attendance and the marginalisation of religion in public life.
Resacralisation argues against the secularisation theory, suggesting there is a resurgence of religious beliefs and practices.
The ‘Believing without belonging’ thesis suggests that while institutional religion may be declining, private spirituality is on the rise.

Revision suggestion: Research examples of different types of religious structures and organisations, and consider their social and cultural implications. Critically evaluate the theories of secularisation, resacralisation, and ‘believing without belonging’.