Which among the following is not one of the three main categories of the New Religious movement?
- AOption (a)
World affirming
- BOption (b)
World rejecting
- COption (c)
World conflicting
- DOption (d)
World accommodating
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Correct answer
World conflicting
Why this answer is correct
World Conflicting is not a part of typology of new religious movement as given by sociologist Roy Wallis.
Key Points
- New Religious Movement (NRMs)
- are different from mainstream religions and belief systems that are already established.
- often regarded as countercultural.
- Often combine the teachings, beliefs and practices from variety of belief systems.
- They are associated with offering innovative responses to the contemporary conditions of the modern world.
- They thrive under the charismatic and authoritarian leaders, believed to have been chosen on account of his extraordinary power.
- Their rise and popularity is directly correlated to uncertainity and fast pace of modernity, pluralism and scientific worldview.
- Examples of NRMs are Sects, Cults, Alternative or Minority religions and Spiritual or New Age movements.
- Roy Wallis Scheme of New Religious Movement
- World Affirming
- Accept the world as reality and main focus is on helping their members cope with it.
- Generally do not involve belief in God and make few demands on their members.
- Key teachings are centered around self-improvement, personal fulfillment and prosperity.
- Examples: Prosperity gospel preaching churches, Scientology and Transcendental Meditation.
- World Rejecting
- Are critical of the secular world and work towards its radical transformation.
- Examples: ISKCON- The Hare Krishna Movement.
- World Accomodating
- Focus on inner spirituality and individual transformation.
- They do not seek to radically change or reject the secular world.
- Examples: Osho Rajneesh movement.
Additional Information
- Roy wallis
- Known for creating seven signs that differentiate a religious congregation from a secterian church.
- Researched on 'Sociology of Scientology'.
- Gave the distinction between world-affirming, world-rejecting and world-accomodating religious movement.
- He published his in-depth analysis of the Sociology of Scientology in his book "The Road to Total Freedom (1976)".
- His major works include The Elementary forms of New Religious Life, Salvation and Protest: Studies of Social and Religious Movements and Sectarianism: Analyses of Religious and Non-Religious Sects etc.