Reference no: EM133801559

Assignment:

Conversion and Switching

• What is conversion?
• What has research shown about brainwashing claims with regard to New Religious Movements/cults?
• Discuss the conversion process concerning Lofland's theory of conversion: what are the predisposing conditions for conversion and the situational contingencies that lead to conversion?
• Describe rational choice theory about the conversion or a person deciding to stay in the religion of their youth versus converting to a different religion (pp. 113-116).
• What is denominational switching? What are the best indicators of who will switch?
• What is apostasy and what are some common reasons for it? (Zuckerman)

Churches, Sects, Denominations, and Cults

• What is charisma and why is routinization essential for the continued survival of the group?
• Why does religion both need and suffer from institutionalism?
• What was noteworthy about Jesus' charismatic authority? What was Paul's contribution to the institutionalism of Christianity?
• What is the symbolic dilemma?
• In open systems theory, which type of group studied in this chapter is more closed off or exclusive?
• What is sub-cultural identity theory?
• What is the status of denominationalism today? What is evangelicalism
• What is the purpose of Max Weber's term, ideal type?
• What are the differences between sect, denomination, church, cult/NRM? For example, which group would be more likely to draw from socio-lower economic people a sect, cult, denomination, or church type? Which group is a return to a tradition that is central to the group?
• Which one avoids complex organization or education of clergy? Which one values spontaneous shows of emotion in their religious expression? Which one is a fellowship of an elect or small group that is closed off from the outside? Which one is more likely to hold to the purity of doctrine and reject new elements? Which one embraces new innovative notions associated with a leader? Which has a universalistic and inclusive acceptance of people in society into the religious organization? Which one draws primarily from the middle to upper economic classes? These are the kinds of things you need to know.
• In the United States congregations have been tied to denominations. How are congregations and denominations related? Why is it true to say no one belongs to the denomination?
• What are the three ideal types of church polity?
• What is the median congregation in 2012? What is the median person? What is the difference between the median congregation and the median person? A median congregation has how many people? A median person is in a congregation with how many other members?
• What do congregations do?
• What are the near-universal elements in congregations?
• Why is there a growing informality in worship?
• What are mega-churches and new paradigm churches? How do they differ? Why have they been so successful?
• What has changed about worship over the last 30-40 years? How have traditional elements of worship changed?
• Of the three types of church polity which one is most prevalent in mega-churches or new paradigm churches?
• Why is informality increasing in religion today? High levels of emotional appeal are common in which type of congregations?
• What are the most common features of worship? Which two features are almost universal?
• What is a seeker church.