Sign Up Now
Get instant access to over 1 million+ study documents
OR
Already registered? click here to login
By creating your account, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and student honor code.
Theology
The Social Sources of Denominations
Richard Niebuhr's primary argument in his work "The Social Sources of Denominationalism" is that denominations within the church are hallmarks of religion within the United States. Churches naturally separate based on a variety of factors, and will continue to until the end of time. Many things account for these differentiations or thought or denominations including culture, economics race and national origin. Niebuhr believed that the majority of these separations occurred for non-religious or worldly-based reasons. Niebuhr held an almost harsh view of religion, stating that "Denominationalism thus represents the moral failure of Christianity," and he refers to such denominationalism specifically as "the moral failure of Christianity."
He believed that non-religious distinctions were primarily responsible for creating schisms and different factions or denominations of the church, not purely spiritual endeavors. Denominations, or different sects within the church, occur primarily because of social class distinctions.
According to Niebuhr, secularization is the process whereby religion accommodates the world. Secularization may be defined as the process by which religious denominations or organizations "become more worldly and offer a less vivid and less active conception of the supernatural." Religion accommodates...
When one group becomes dissatisfied with another, or with the masses, they typically will break from the church and form their own denomination. As this is not necessarily a spiritual motive, denominationalism may be referred to as secular in nature.
Niebuhr in his work strongly suggests that religious organizations form or originate through schism. From a cultural and race related perspective, Niebuhr also argues that immigrant denominations are formed when different cultures and races come together and decide not to conform to the most prevalent religious practices and groups already established within the U.S. Many times immigrant churches will form their own denomination or sect because they are more comfortable among people like themselves with similar backgrounds and social stature. The branching out of immigrants into their own churches often results in new denominations and increased differentiation. The primary basis for this differentiation is race and cultural related. Economics also come into play, as certain social classes or groups of immigrants will typically fall into one economic category or another.
In his work Niebuhr calls attention to denominational barriers as a shameful and sad fact of life. He points out the marked hostility that existed between members of different denominations during the time in which he wrote…
Bibliography
H. Richard Niebuhr. The Social Sources of Denominationalism (New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1929).
Starks, MDavis. Chapter 14, Religion. Retrieved October 1, 2003, at http://www.blinn.edu/socialscience/MDavis/Starks%20chapter%2014.ppt
Religion. Retrieved October 1, 2003, at http://www.gospelcom.net/cqod/cqod9705.htm#q970528
H. Richard Niebuhr. The Social Sources of Denominationalism (New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1929). 25
Starks, MDavis. Chapter 14, Religion. Retrieved October 1, 2003, at http://www.blinn.edu/socialscience/MDavis/Starks%20chapter%2014.ppt http://www.gospelcom.net/cqod/cqod9705.htm#q970528
Starks, MDavis. Chapter 14, Religion. Retrieved October 1, 2003, at http://www.blinn.edu/socialscience/MDavis/Starks%20chapter%2014.ppt
Revisionist historian often seek to find non-Christian association among the lives of the founding fathers, such as the Freemasons, and Humanism, yet it is clear that these organizations were not dominant to religion and that a strong Protestant ethic still reigned supreme, especially in the language of the foundational documents of the nation. Fundamentalism Fundamentalism has in fact created a more recent expression in modern America as churches attempt to "go
Jefferson's Principles and their Impact on Education Jefferson's radical beliefs in the inherent moral and developmental capacities of humans, and in their capacities to take part to participatory democracy, in turn reinforced his enduring commitment to an education that would be accessible to all. Jefferson was well aware that democracy could only work properly when the people were both virtuous and enlightened. From these notions that people were naturally virtuous but not
Catholic church and public policy have remarked that the members of American clergy in general, without even excepting those who do not admit religious liberty, are all in favour of civil freedom; but they do not support any particular political system. They keep aloof from parties, and from public affairs. In the United States religion exercises but little influence upon laws, and upon the details of public opinion; but it
This work provided an intensive discussion historical forces that were to lead to modern humanism but also succeeds in placing these aspects into the context of the larger social, historical and political milieu. . Online sources and databases proved to be a valid and often insightful recourse area for this topic. Of particular note is a concise and well-written article by Stephen Weldon entitled Secular Humanism in the United States.
Multigenerational Workforce Motivation Leadership Style Talent management and human resource management personnel have, been aware of the commercial value of creating and leveraging an all-encompassing, diverse workforce for several years. Recruitment and employee retention programs have focused on gender, ethnicity, race, recruitment and career development of veterans, disabled persons, etc. One can observe increased demands among corporate personnel, to include multigenerational diversity in their organizations. Talent and human resource managers have
permissive attitude towards London sailor-town exist during the 1850-1860, and how did it change during the 1900-1910? The main Theories Fronted Although the marine community came from diverse backgrounds, the seafarers ashore had acquired a debauched image long before the 16th Century. The seafarers have won the appraisal of researchers for their role since then. According to Lee[footnoteRef:1], seafarers had delinked themselves from the usual expected bonds and roles in society