Sociology (religion) - Strength of
religious belief in society, NRMs, NAMs
and religion and social policy
What are NAMs? - answer flexible range of spiritual and philosophical beliefs, with no
defining doctrine or organization, often linked to ideas of individualism and
postmodernism
What does Drane say about NAMs? - answer(1999) - argues appeal comes from shift
towards postmodern society, where we have lack of faith in meta-narratives and
objective truth and tell us we have the truth within us (comfort for ppl of the worlds
change)
What are NRMs? - answeroften referred to as 'cults', these are religious groups with
religious views often unorthodox which are separated from the dominant religion. Can
be either world affirming (focus on spiritual enrichment and making ppl better ppl), world
accommodating (neither affirm nor reject the world, but they do adapt in order to ensure
they can peacefully live within it) or world rejecting (sees the world as inherently evil or
corrupt + think that the way society is currently organised is against the will of God or
other spiritual forces
What are three studies showing NRMs do show the strength of religious belief in
society? - answer- Giddens - argues perceived lack of spiritual meaning in traditional
religions has led to many ppl finding comfort and a sense of community in smaller,
newer religious groups
- Drane - rise of NRMs are global, and digital communication advances have created a
'global cafeteria' where ppl have access to global groups and ideas (such as NRMs),
thus whilst traditional religion is declining, NRMs cater for an array of ppls religious
needs
- Greely argues growth of NRMs e.g christian based ones like the moonies and seventh
day adventists show society is undergoing a religious revival
What are three studies showing NRMs do not show the strength of religious belief in
society? - answer- Weber - argues many NRMs have watered down religious beliefs to
fit in with a more secular society, tending to focus on more worldly matters like poverty
than spiritual matters
- Wallis - notes how affiliation to these groups can be very practical, with promised
rewards of financial success and a happier life, leaving religious nature to be questioned
- Barker - notes how ppl who join the Moonies often do so to give back/contribute to
society, rather than spiritual purposes as they demand exceptional commitment
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller julianah420. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $13.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
