Is Scientology a cult or a sect? How do we differentiate between churches and denominations?
Cults, sects, churches and denominations are all religious organisations. We will look at how sociologists categorised them by identifying their characteristics.
- We will discuss the different types of religious organisations in sociology.
- We will look at examples of religious organisations.
- Then, we will consider religious charity organisations.
- Finally, we will look at religious environmental organisations.
Religious organisations in sociology
A religious organisation is a public or private organisation built around a religious ideology. We differentiate between religious organisations according to their size, inclusivity, interpretation of faith, and the level of commitment they require from their members.
Examples of religious organisations
Ernst Troeltsch (1912) categorised religious organisations into two main groups: churches and sects.
Later, sociological research determined two further types of religious organisations, which are denominations and cults. The four main types are outlined below.
Characteristics and activities of religious organisations
We are going to discuss the characteristics and activities of religious organisations.
Characteristics of churches
Large mainstream organisations with millions of members.
The aim is to include all of society.
They have hierarchical and bureaucratic structures, with a clergy (a group of formal leaders within a religious organisation). Each member of the clergy is paid a certain salary and is subject to rules.
However, churches pose very few, loose demands on their members.
The membership basis is the conservative middle class.
Churches see their interpretation of faith as the one and only correct and legitimate one; they claim monopoly over the truth.
They are accepted, respectable, and often powerful organisations in the eyes of wider society.
Churches are often connected to the state; this is seen in countries that have a 'state' or 'official' religion. For example, King Charles III is the Head of the Church of England.
The Catholic Church is a well-known and recognised religious organisation across the world.
Fig. 1 - Milan Cathedral is a well-known Catholic place of worship.
Characteristics of sects
Emerge from existing churches due to disagreement and dissatisfaction over mainstream doctrine, teachings, or practices.
Small, exclusive organisations that have 'broken away' from a larger one.
Expect a high level of commitment from their members.
Recruit members from lower, marginalised classes such as the poor and oppressed.
Often led by charismatic leaders instead of bureaucratic hierarchies.
See their interpretation of faith as the one and only correct and legitimate one; they claim to have a monopoly over the truth.
World-rejecting: are hostile towards mainstream society and the state.
Have short 'life cycles'; they can grow and decline quickly. If they survive, they can grow into a denomination (discussed below).
Pentecostalism emerged from Protestantism. Its followers believe that one can achieve direct personal connection with God through baptism and through the study of scripture, which they believe is without error.
Richard Niebuhr (1929) used the term 'denominations' to denote the growth and change of sects over time.
Characteristics of denominations
These are considered a 'halfway' point between a church and a sect.
Accept that there are other interpretations of faith apart from their own; they do not claim a monopoly on the truth.
Not connected to the state.
Have more members than a sect, but less than a church.
Somewhat bureaucratic and hierarchic, but not as much as a church.
Do not aim to spread to wider society in the same way a church does.
Accepted, respectable organisations in the eyes of wider society.
Methodism developed into a denomination from the Church of England. They have a high number of followers all over the world, although not as many as the Catholic Church, for example.
Their faith encourages believers to establish a personal relationship with God. Methodism promotes a simple life, inclusivity for women (they can also become ministers), and tolerance toward others.
Cults
Highly individualistic and loose-knit groupings around a common interest or theme.
No very sharply defined belief system.
Relatively tolerant toward other organisations.
Members are more like customers. Members can leave the cult after they have acquired the techniques and knowledge that the cult offers.
World-affirming: the aim and promise is to help members improve their lives in this world.
Accept that there are other interpretations of faith apart from their own.
The term 'cult' has had a negative connotation to it in societal conversation (Wessinger, 2000).
The Church of Scientology promotes the individual's exploration of their inner spirituality. It promises that members will discover their psychological and physical abilities and make improvements in their lives through Scientologist teaching. Scientology as a cult has received much criticism from other religious and state organisations and from former members.
The Peoples Temple cult, commonly known as Jonestown (named after its leader Jim Jones) is an example of an extreme cult. In 1978 in Guyana, Jones led members of his cult to drink poison in an infamous case of mass murder-suicide. The cult had over 900 people, including women and children. Jonestown is a well-known example of an 'evil' cult.
There are 3 different types of cults:
- Audience cults
- Require little interaction between their members.
- No formal membership and not very organised.
- Example: UFO cults.
- Client cults
- Provide services to followers.
- Example: spiritualism.
- Cultic movements:
- Organised, demand a high level of commitment.
- Example: Unification Church.
Religious charity organisations
Religious charities are non-profit humanitarian organisations of big churches and denominations. Their goal is to provide economic, psychological, and medical support to those in need.
Different charity organisations are responsible for setting up food banks, collecting donations, and organising medical and mental health support. There are specific religious charity organisations for different gender, age, and ethnic groups.
Sometimes charity organisations collect donations for a cause specific to the religion. But most of the time, one does not have to be a member of a particular church in order to receive support.
Samaritans is a religious charity organisation based in Great Britain. They provide support to anyone who experiences emotional distress. They have a special focus on helping people with suicidal feelings.
Religious environmental organisations
These are non-profit organisations that belong to churches and sects and focus on environmental issues.
Religious Organisation - Key Takeaways
- A religious organisation is a public or private organisation built around a religious ideology.
- The four main categories of religious organisations are churches, sects, denominations, and cults.
- Churches are large organisations that have hierarchical and bureaucratic structures and claim to have a monopoly on the truth. Denominations are smaller, respected religious organisations that accept that there are other interpretations of faith than their own.
- Sects emerge from existing religious organisations and are smaller and more exclusive. They recruit from marginalised groups of society and expect a high level of commitment. Cults are individualistic, world-affirming religious organisations, usually run by charismatic leaders.
- Religious charity organisations' goal is to provide economic, psychological, medical support to those in need. Religious environmental organisations are non-profit organisations that belong to churches and sects and focus on environmental issues.
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