RELS 108 1nd Edition Lecture 9 Outline of Last Lecture II. Spirituality and Ritual continued…a. Rites of Passageb. Birth Ritualsc. Rituals of Initiation III. Ritual Promotes 4 PurposesIV. Videos Watched in Today’s ClassOutline of Current Lecture V. Sacred CommunityVI. Religious Communities and Social ResistanceVII. Spiritual Community as RefugeVIII. Heresy/Schism/DivisionCurrent LectureSacred Community- Spirituality as communal activity or communal response to the sacred. - Emile Durkheim: "The Elementary Forms of Religious Life"o Main point: There is an inescapable social dimension to religious faith. Religious Communities and Social Resistance- Difference between Church and Secto Church indicates a community of some social standing that invites members to take part in its activities.  EX: Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, etc.o Sects demand more conformity amongst members. Exclusive outlook. Retreat from the dominant mode of culture/society/thought.  EX: The Islamic State (IS/ISIS), the Quakers, the Amish, etc. - Culto Characteristics that are unique to cults: Charismatic Leader.  Through this sole person the religious message is delivered.  New Revelation.  Perfects or changes an older tradition or gives more life to an old tradition.These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute. Viewed with extreme suspicion More established religious communities view cults with suspicion. Dominant religious traditions regard the message of cults as being "heretical" and "blasphemous."o Cults can sometimes turn into sects. Sometimes a sect can turn into a church. Depends on how history plays out. o Example of cult that became a church is the Mormon Church. Spiritual Community as Refuge- Refuge from threat, perceived or imagined. Heresy/Schism/Division- The Sacred Canopy- Religion is the establishment, through human activity, of an all-embracing order. Form of shelter from chaos or destruction. The harsh realities of this world are too hard to bear for many, so religion as a sacred canopy gives some insight to these life