Some may argue that new religious movements grew due to practical and pragmatic reasons. Barker argues that new religious movements alleviate people from the pressures of work and family life and can offer an alternative family structure.
Giddens argues that traditional religions have watered down their
beliefs to fit in a more secular world as people look to new religious movements to receive comfort and community which big traditional religions no longer offer. Bruce argues that there is a loss of faith in traditional religious leaders who are seen as out of touch and new religious movements provide a refuge for those seeking spiritual and firm beliefs in a secular society.
Postmodernism
Thinker: Lyotard and Bauman
Lyotard: there is a loss of faith in metanarratives and
what Berger referred to a ‘universes of meaning’ which
have created gaps which people look to NRM’s to fill.
Bauman: With so many conflicting ideologies & beliefs,
people experience a ‘Crisis of Meaning’ & as such
form & join NRMs to retain some control & normality.
Identify Formation: traditional forms of identity have
become fragmented so people turn to NRM’s to help
form their identity.
Globalisation and Media
Thinker: Baudrillard
Globalisation and mass media have opened up
access to new ideas and belief systems from around
the world. This is what Baudrillard refers to as a media
saturated society. He believes that this has allowed
NRM’s to grow as the media gives the group more of a
public profile and visibility in order to attract members.
Marginalisation
Thinker: Weber, Stark & Bainbridge
Weber argued that groups like world rejecting NRMs
are most likely to emerge among marginal. The NRMs
appeal by providing a ‘theodicy of disprivilege’
Stark and Bainbridge - World rejecting NRMs provide
access to a close knit group of members in a similar
position offering a sense of security, clear values and a
reward in heaven.
Protest
Thinker: Glock and Stark
Glock and Stark argue that NRMs emerge as a
form of religious or social protest; hence many
may appeal to those whose values are at
loggerheads with those of the society around
them, or of other religious groups.
Anomie and Social Change
Thinker: Wilson
Wilson stated that periods of sudden or rapid social
change can create ‘anomie’ as it undermines or
disrupts traditional norms and values and universes of
meaning. NRMs provide solutions to such periods of
uncertainty as they provide new and clearly defined
belief systems or a sense of certainty in an uncertain
world. The rise of NRMs then can be seen as a
response to the uncertainties generated by the rapid
social change that has occurred since the 1960s.
Relative Deprivation
Thinker: Stark and Bainbridge
Stark and Bainbridge argued that the ideas and
support derived from NRM membership may
help to overcome those suffering a subjective
feeling of being deprived or lacking something in
comparison to those in the social group with
which the individuals identify and compare
themselves.
Status Frustration
Thinker: Wallis and Barker
Wallis argues that marginality may cause status
frustration, Wallis believes NRMs appeal to the young
as membership can provide some support for an
identity and status independent of school or family
and so overcome the sense of status frustration.
Barker believes that young people lack the financial
and time commitments of mortgage/rent and
work/family which give them the
Giddens argues that traditional religions have watered down their
beliefs to fit in a more secular world as people look to new religious movements to receive comfort and community which big traditional religions no longer offer. Bruce argues that there is a loss of faith in traditional religious leaders who are seen as out of touch and new religious movements provide a refuge for those seeking spiritual and firm beliefs in a secular society.
Postmodernism
Thinker: Lyotard and Bauman
Lyotard: there is a loss of faith in metanarratives and
what Berger referred to a ‘universes of meaning’ which
have created gaps which people look to NRM’s to fill.
Bauman: With so many conflicting ideologies & beliefs,
people experience a ‘Crisis of Meaning’ & as such
form & join NRMs to retain some control & normality.
Identify Formation: traditional forms of identity have
become fragmented so people turn to NRM’s to help
form their identity.
Globalisation and Media
Thinker: Baudrillard
Globalisation and mass media have opened up
access to new ideas and belief systems from around
the world. This is what Baudrillard refers to as a media
saturated society. He believes that this has allowed
NRM’s to grow as the media gives the group more of a
public profile and visibility in order to attract members.
Marginalisation
Thinker: Weber, Stark & Bainbridge
Weber argued that groups like world rejecting NRMs
are most likely to emerge among marginal. The NRMs
appeal by providing a ‘theodicy of disprivilege’
Stark and Bainbridge - World rejecting NRMs provide
access to a close knit group of members in a similar
position offering a sense of security, clear values and a
reward in heaven.
Protest
Thinker: Glock and Stark
Glock and Stark argue that NRMs emerge as a
form of religious or social protest; hence many
may appeal to those whose values are at
loggerheads with those of the society around
them, or of other religious groups.
Anomie and Social Change
Thinker: Wilson
Wilson stated that periods of sudden or rapid social
change can create ‘anomie’ as it undermines or
disrupts traditional norms and values and universes of
meaning. NRMs provide solutions to such periods of
uncertainty as they provide new and clearly defined
belief systems or a sense of certainty in an uncertain
world. The rise of NRMs then can be seen as a
response to the uncertainties generated by the rapid
social change that has occurred since the 1960s.
Relative Deprivation
Thinker: Stark and Bainbridge
Stark and Bainbridge argued that the ideas and
support derived from NRM membership may
help to overcome those suffering a subjective
feeling of being deprived or lacking something in
comparison to those in the social group with
which the individuals identify and compare
themselves.
Status Frustration
Thinker: Wallis and Barker
Wallis argues that marginality may cause status
frustration, Wallis believes NRMs appeal to the young
as membership can provide some support for an
identity and status independent of school or family
and so overcome the sense of status frustration.
Barker believes that young people lack the financial
and time commitments of mortgage/rent and
work/family which give them the
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