Skip to content
Csbibliography

Annotated Bibliography of Christian Science

Academic and Other Literature

  • Home
  • About
    • About the ABCS Project
    • Support Opportunities (Donate)
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Annotations
    • Search Information
    • Category Search
    • Keyword Search
    • Advanced Search
    • Standard Search
    • Authors/Editor List
    • Title List
    • Recently Added
    • Search Support
  • Resources
    • The Book
    • Online Resources
    • ABCS Blog
    • Suggest Resources
  • Contact
Annotation Resource

“Coping with Institutional Fragility: An Analysis of Christian Science and Scientology”

“Coping with Institutional Fragility: An Analysis of Christian Science and Scientology”

Wallis, Roy. “Coping with Institutional Fragility: An Analysis of Christian Science and Scientology,” Pages 25–43 in Salvation and Protest: Studies of Social and Religious Movements. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 1979.

In this chapter of Salvation and Protest, Wallis draws parallels between Christian Science and Scientology to illuminate his study of the processes leading to sectarianism. They are examples of ‘manipulationist movements’ that began loosely structured and became “outstandingly successful in developing a highly cohesive sectarian form” (25). He draws on Bryan Wilson’s concept of ‘manipulationist movement’ as “a secularist sect, for which only the means to salvation are religious; the goals are largely those of secular hedonism” (cf. Religious Sects 1970, 141). Wallis concludes such movements face three distinct problems: the problem of ideological precariousness, the problem of authority, and the problem of commitment. In particular, regarding Christian Science, he argues first that ideological precariousness is evident from the secretiveness of its higher teachings. Some of its hidden doctrine is available only by special instruction. Students are not to read or study other metaphysical systems. Second, the problem of authority is evident in that teaching has a much higher priority than devotional activities. Loyalties are directed primarily towards the practitioner rather than the wider collectivity. Third, a high degree of commitment is enhanced by ideological insulation and the prohibition of alternative sources of opinion. These problems tend to inhibit development of a cohesive collectivity.

ISBN-10: 0903804387
ISBN-13: 978-0903804387

 

Wallis, Roy

Related Annotations:

Annotations related by category:
  • Availability: Library or Purchase
  • Official Christian Science Publication: No
  • Publication Date: 1956-1980
  • Resource Types: Book Section
  • Subjects: Church Manual, Governance, Leadership
  • Subjects: Social and Cultural Studies
Annotations related by keyword:
  • Authorized
  • Scientology
More by authors or editor(s):
  • Wallis, Roy

Comment on this resource: Cancel

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search Home

Search application instructions and overview.

Search Support

Questions? We've got answers.

Category Search

Select subject, person, organization and/or controversy to provide a subset of annotation results. The results page includes the ability to further limit your search.

Keyword Search

Select one or more specific keywords to provide a subset of annotation results. The results page includes the ability to further limit your search.

Advanced Search

Select from all search options to obtain very specific results.

Standard Search

Might yield a mix of relevant and irrelevant results, but could be very helpful if you are looking for a specific term not included in any of the other types of searches.

Annotations by Author
Annotations by Title
Most Recent

View the 30 most recently added annotations.

New Since the Book

View new annotations available here that were not included in the book.

Suggest a Resource
Donate via PayPal

Scholarly Works on Christian Science is the nonprofit corporation that produces the ABCS website. We rely on donations to keep the bibliography updated and available to the public. If you find this site useful we hope you'll consider donating to support the work. Donate via PayPal by clicking the button above or send a check to:

Scholarly Works on Christian Science
420 Conway Meadows Drive
St. Louis, MO 63017

© 2022 and later by Scholarly Works on Christian Science, all rights reserved.

Privacy Policy is here. Cookie Policy is here. Comment Policy is here.

This material was printed from the Annotated Bibliography of Christian Science website produced and maintained by Scholarly Works on Christian Science (https://csbibliography.org). All rights reserved.