OUTLINE u Introduction u The Church-Sect Typology u Cults u Secularization and Cult Formation u Social Networks and Recruitment to Cults and Sects: Two Case Studies Lecture on Religion and Cults

u Systems of meaning for interpreting the world that have a supernatural referent (e.g., Christianity, Hinduism). Religions

Sociology and Religion

The Nature of Religion u Systems of belief used to make life meaningful may have supernatural referents, if they do, they are called RELIGIONS. u Systems of belief that are intended to make like meaningful without reference to supernatural powers are called HUMANISTIC PERSPECTIVES and include ideologies such as communism.

Organizational Approaches Organizational approaches see religious groups as being akin to “corporations”. Organizational approaches focus on the basic characteristics of religious organizations such as:

1. The nature and sources of their members. 2. Their formal and informal goals. 3. The norms and roles that are established to accomplish their purposes. 4. The sanctions that are used to ensure that norms are followed. 5. The success that groups experience in pursuing their goals.

Individual-Centered Explanations There are three basic individual-centered explanations for religious behaviour: 1. Reflection 2. Socialization 3. Deprivation

Collective Religiosity I: The Church-Sect Typology

Collective Religiosity II: Organizational Approaches I u As social organizations, religions can be analyzed in terms of: u MEMBERSHIP. u GOALS.

Church - Sect Typology A framework, originating with Weber, in which religious organizations are studied in terms of ideal-type, church, and sect characteristics.

Cults: Cults are religious groups that have their origin outside of older religions. Sects in contrast, are groups that have broken away from established groups.

Secularization and Cult Formation

SOCIAL NETWORKS AND RECRUITMENT TO CULTS AND SECTS: TWO CASE STUDIES

INTERPERSONAL BONDS AND CONVERSION TO MORMONISM