Suchergebnisse

A survey is presented of recent research findings in the sociological study of religious movements following two main objectives: (1) to describe what is called the 'conventional problematic' & to suggest some of its important shortcomings, & (2) to argue that three fresh perspectives have recently emerged in this field of study. This has resulted in an increased sensitivity: (A) to matters of movement organization, (B) to the grounding of religious movements in social networks & organizational fields, & (C) to their competence in creating a symbolic articulation of their followers' experiences. The most significant impact of these changing perspectives has been a stronger input of ideas from general sociological theories than is possible within the framework of the conventional problematic. The task of explaining religious movements is thereby made more complex but also more challenging. AA.