Churches and denominations | AQA A-Level Sociology

For Specification 7192

AQA A-Level Sociology | Free Revision Notes

Estimated study time: 80 minutes

These Churches and denominations A-Level Sociology revision notes examine two of the religious organisations named explicitly in the AQA specification. You will consider their beliefs, formal organisation and structures of authority, then compare them with less traditional forms of religious and spiritual organisation. This topic develops your understanding of Christian and non-Christian religious traditions [Christian and non-Christian religious traditions] and prepares you to compare churches and denominations with sects and cults [Sects and cults] and New Age movements [New Age movements].

Learning Objectives 🎯

By the end of this revision page, you should be able to:

• Define churches and denominations as forms of religious organisation.

• Describe the characteristics AQA associates with churches.

• Describe the characteristics AQA associates with denominations.

• Explain the relationship between religious organisations, beliefs and practices.

• Compare churches and denominations with other forms of religious organisation.

• Apply these distinctions to AQA-style questions about religious organisations.

Revision Notes 📚

Religious organisations in AQA Sociology

AQA requires students to understand religious organisations, specifically:

• cults;

• sects;

• denominations;

• churches;

• New Age movements;

and their relationship to religious and spiritual belief and practice.

This wording is important. You need more than a list of definitions.

AQA may ask you to explain:

• the characteristics of a particular organisation;

• differences between types of organisation;

• how organisational structure relates to belief;

• how forms of authority differ;

• how particular organisations relate to wider changes in religion and society.

The next lessons develop the other organisational types through sects and cults [Sects and cults] and New Age movements [New Age movements].

What is a religious organisation?

A religious organisation is a socially organised form through which religious beliefs and practices are expressed.

The organisation may influence:

• how authority is structured;

• how religious beliefs are interpreted and communicated;

• how religious practices are organised;

• how individuals participate in religion.

This creates an important distinction between belief and organisation.

A religious belief concerns what individuals or groups believe. A religious organisation concerns the social structure through which beliefs and practices may be organised.

For example:

religious belief → organised authority and practices → participation within a religious organisation

⚠️ Do not use terms such as church, denomination, sect and New Age movement simply as different words for “religion”. AQA treats them as distinct forms of religious organisation or movement.

Churches

AQA's 2021 examination material gives two clear characteristics of churches:

1. Churches are generally associated with traditional and conservative beliefs.

2. Churches tend to have a strict hierarchy of power.

These are particularly important because AQA has directly used them as item hooks in an examination question.

Churches and traditional beliefs

AQA describes churches as generally traditional and conservative in their beliefs.

Traditional religious beliefs are established religious beliefs that have continuity with an existing religious tradition.

Conservative in this context means tending to preserve established beliefs rather than defining religion primarily through individualised or newly created spiritual choices.

The relationship can therefore be represented as:

established religious tradition → continuing religious beliefs → organised religious practice

This connects churches with the broader issues examined in religion and social stability [Religion and social stability].

Traditional belief does not mean that churches can never change. AQA's 2021 mark scheme specifically recognised the possibility that churches may adapt their beliefs in response to postmodern society.

This gives you an important qualification:

Churches may generally be characterised as traditional, but this does not mean their beliefs and practices must remain completely unchanged.

Churches and hierarchy

AQA also describes churches as tending to have a strict hierarchy of power.

A hierarchy is an organisational structure in which authority is arranged at different levels.

The important sociological relationship is:

formal religious organisation → structured positions of authority → leadership has recognised power within the organisation

This distinguishes churches particularly clearly from forms of spirituality with more fluid or individualised authority.

A hierarchy affects religious practice because beliefs and practices do not exist only at the level of the individual. They may be organised and maintained through recognised positions of religious authority.

Churches, power and wider society

The AQA specimen paper also uses churches as an example when discussing the relationship between religion and power.

Its item describes the argument that churches may be wealthy and closely linked with elite groups and power structures.

This does not mean that AQA defines every church as wealthy or as serving powerful groups. It is presented as a sociological argument that can be evaluated.

The important analytical possibility is:

formal religious organisation → institutional resources and relationships → possible connections with wider structures of power

This links organisational form back to ideology [Ideology] and the debate over whether religion maintains or challenges existing social arrangements.

Denominations

AQA's 2025 examination provides particularly clear source material on denominations.

It describes denominations as:

• based on traditional religious beliefs;

• formal organisations;

• having a hierarchy of power.

These three characteristics should form the core of your definition.

Denominations and traditional religious belief

Like churches, denominations are associated in AQA material with traditional religious beliefs.

This makes them very different from an organisation or movement based primarily on individually selected spirituality.

AQA's 2025 mark scheme contrasts denominations with New Age movements by explaining that New Age movements emphasise self-spirituality and de-traditionalisation, rather than the traditional religious beliefs associated with denominations.

The distinction is therefore:

Denominations	New Age movements
Associated with traditional religious belief	Greater emphasis on self-spirituality
Tradition remains significant	De-traditionalisation is more significant

You will examine self-spirituality fully in New Age movements [New Age movements].

Denominations as formal organisations

AQA explicitly identifies denominations as formal organisations.

A formal organisation has an identifiable organisational structure rather than existing simply as a loose collection of individual beliefs.

This has consequences for religion because beliefs and practices can be:

• organised;

• maintained;

• transmitted;

• structured through recognised authority.

In an exam, do not merely state:

“Denominations are formal.”

Develop the point:

“Denominations are formal religious organisations, so religious authority is organised through an identifiable structure rather than resting primarily with each individual believer.”

That development turns a characteristic into analysis.

Denominations and hierarchy

AQA identifies a hierarchy of power as another characteristic of denominations.

This means authority is not evenly distributed between all participants.

Instead, formal positions of religious authority may have greater organisational power.

The contrast used by AQA in 2025 is particularly useful:

denomination → hierarchy of religious authority

compared with:

New Age movement → greater emphasis on the individual and less acceptance of traditional religious leadership.

This is a direct comparison of power within religious organisations, one of the core themes running through AQA Sociology.

Churches and denominations compared

The AQA sources provided establish considerable similarity between churches and denominations.

Characteristic	Churches	Denominations
Traditional religious belief	Generally traditional and conservative	Based on traditional religious beliefs
Organisation	Organised form of religion	Explicitly described as formal organisations
Authority	Strict hierarchy of power	Hierarchy of power
Contrast with individualised spirituality	More traditional than New Age movements	More traditional than New Age movements

AQA lists churches and denominations separately in the specification, so students should recognise them as different categories of religious organisation. However, the supplied AQA specification, examination papers and mark schemes do not provide a complete, detailed church-versus-denomination typology beyond the characteristics above.

This is important for revision. Do not invent additional distinctions and then present them as AQA requirements.

Instead, know the securely supported characteristics and be ready to compare either type with the other religious organisations AQA explicitly assesses.

Similarities between churches and denominations

The clearest similarities supported by the AQA assessment materials concern tradition and power.

Both are associated with traditional religion

Neither is presented primarily as a form of individualised spirituality.

Instead, established religious beliefs remain important.

Both involve hierarchical authority

Both organisational types are associated with a hierarchy of power.

This means neither is characterised by completely equal or individualised religious authority.

The basic comparison is:

church/denomination → traditional belief + organised authority

This is particularly useful when contrasting them with New Age movements.

Churches compared with New Age movements

AQA directly tested this comparison in 2021.

The item described churches as:

• traditional and conservative;

• strictly hierarchical.

The mark scheme contrasted these with New Age movements that may:

• emphasise spirituality;

• involve beliefs connected with self-improvement;

• have a more informal and fluid structure.

The two major comparison dimensions are therefore:

1. Belief

Church: traditional and conservative religious belief.

New Age movement: greater emphasis on individual spirituality.

2. Organisation

Church: stricter hierarchy of power.

New Age movement: more informal and fluid organisation.

📌 This is the model to follow when AQA asks you to analyse differences.

Do not simply define one organisation and then define the other. Make the comparison explicit.

Denominations compared with New Age movements

AQA returned to almost the same organisational issue in 2025, but replaced churches with denominations.

Again, there were two major dimensions.

1. Tradition versus self-spirituality

Denominations are based on traditional religious beliefs.

New Age movements may emphasise self-spirituality and de-traditionalisation.

2. Hierarchy versus individual authority

Denominations are formal organisations with a hierarchy of power.

New Age movements may reject traditional religious leadership and place greater emphasis on the individual.

This comparison is especially important because the 2025 examiner report shows that it caused difficulties for some students.

Traditional authority and individual choice

The contrast between churches or denominations and New Age movements can be understood as a wider sociological debate about authority and individual choice.

At one end:

traditional religious belief → formal organisation → hierarchical authority

At the other:

de-traditionalisation → individual spirituality → individual choice and less hierarchical authority

This contrast can help you connect religious organisations to wider changes in contemporary religion.

You will develop this theme in religion and religiosity in the contemporary world [Religion and religiosity in the contemporary world].

Churches and denominations compared with sects

AQA's specimen and later assessment materials give useful characteristics of sects that allow comparison.

AQA material associates sects with:

• doctrinal purity;

• opposition to wider society;

• relatively high demands for commitment;

• responses to uncertainty, marginalisation or disprivilege.  

This produces a useful broad contrast:

Churches and denominations	Sects
Associated with established or traditional religious beliefs	May stress doctrinal purity
Formal or hierarchical organisation	May require high commitment
Can be connected with established structures	May be in opposition to wider society

You should not overextend this table beyond the supplied material. The full characteristics and explanations of sects belong in sects and cults [Sects and cults].

Religious organisations are not interchangeable

AQA examiner reports repeatedly show why accurate classification matters.

A church is not simply another name for:

• a denomination;

• a sect;

• a cult;

• a New Age movement.

Similarly, a New Age movement should not automatically be treated as a New Religious Movement or a sect.

The 2025 examiner report specifically notes that some students confused New Age movements with New Religious Movements or sects.

The safest revision method is to learn organisations through characteristic contrasts, rather than memorising an undifferentiated list.

A comparison grid for AQA questions

Using only characteristics supported by the supplied AQA material:

Feature	Church	Denomination	Sect	New Age movement
Traditional belief	Generally traditional/conservative	Traditional religious belief	Emphasis may be on doctrinal purity	Greater de-traditionalisation
Formal/hierarchical authority	Strict hierarchy	Formal and hierarchical	The supplied material emphasises commitment and doctrinal purity rather than this feature	More individualised, informal or fluid
Individual spirituality	Less central in AQA comparison	Less central in AQA comparison	Not the defining contrast used in these sources	Central through self-spirituality
Relationship with wider society	May be connected with established power structures	Not further specified in the supplied material	May oppose wider society	Emphasises individual spirituality rather than traditional authority
Commitment	Not specified in the supplied material	Not specified in the supplied material	May involve high commitment	Less formal or fixed organisational structure

⚠️ Notice the wording “not specified in the supplied material”. It is better to leave a characteristic blank than invent an AQA requirement.

Beliefs and organisational structure

AQA does not ask students to study religious organisations separately from religious belief and practice.

The specification explicitly requires their relationship to religious and spiritual belief and practice.

There are two important relationships here.

Belief can shape organisation

A religious organisation based on established traditions may preserve structured forms of authority.

This helps explain why AQA associates both churches and denominations with traditional beliefs and hierarchical power.

Organisation can shape religious practice

A hierarchy determines where recognised organisational authority is located.

A formal organisation can therefore structure:

• how beliefs are communicated;

• how religious practices are organised;

• who exercises religious authority.

The relationship works in both directions:

beliefs influence organisational form

and

organisational form influences how belief and practice are experienced

Organisation and power

The concept of power is central to the AQA course and is clearly relevant here.

When an organisation has a hierarchy, some positions have greater recognised authority than others.

AQA's 2025 question made this especially clear by contrasting the hierarchy of denominations with New Age movements that place greater emphasis on the individual.

An exam answer could therefore analyse:

hierarchical organisation → recognised religious leadership → authority concentrated in particular positions

compared with:

individualised spirituality → reduced dependence on traditional leadership → greater authority given to individual choice

That is a sociological comparison, not merely a vocabulary test.

Organisation and tradition

Another central comparison is tradition versus de-traditionalisation.

Tradition means established beliefs and practices continue to carry authority.

De-traditionalisation, as used in the 2025 AQA mark scheme, involves a movement away from traditional sources of religious authority towards more individualised approaches.

Churches and denominations sit on the more traditional side of this contrast in AQA's examination material.

New Age movements are contrasted with them through self-spirituality and greater individual choice.

This does not mean all traditional religion disappears as individualisation increases. It creates a sociological question about how different forms of religion coexist.

Can churches adapt?

Yes, at least as an evaluative possibility recognised by AQA.

The 2021 mark scheme states that analysis might consider the extent to which churches have adapted their beliefs to appeal within postmodern society.

This is important because organisational categories are idealised sociological classifications, not claims that every real organisation will display every characteristic in precisely the same way forever.

For an exam, this gives you an evaluative move:

Churches may be characterised by traditional beliefs, but the contrast with more individualised forms of spirituality should not be exaggerated if traditional organisations themselves adapt.

This connects naturally to later debates in secularisation [Secularisation].

Churches, denominations and secularisation

Churches and denominations are also relevant when assessing changes in the importance of organised religion.

AQA's 2021 secularisation item referred directly to:

• falling church attendance;

• declining significance of religious organisations;

• fewer religious ceremonies.

However, the item also recognised the counterargument that religion may be changing form rather than simply disappearing.

This provides an important future connection:

decline of traditional organisation ≠ automatic disappearance of all religion or spirituality

A decline in church participation could coexist with changing or individualised forms of religious belief.

This is a central issue in secularisation [Secularisation].

Why sociologists classify religious organisations

The categories of church, denomination, sect, cult and New Age movement are useful because they allow sociologists to compare:

• beliefs;

• authority;

• organisational structure;

• religious practice;

• commitment;

• relationships with wider society.

AQA's repeated examination questions demonstrate that you need to understand these categories comparatively.

Knowing isolated definitions is not enough.

For example:

Weak knowledge: “A denomination is a formal religious organisation.”

Better sociological knowledge: “A denomination is a formal organisation based on traditional religious beliefs and possessing a hierarchy of power. This differs from New Age movements, which may emphasise individual self-spirituality and reject traditional religious leadership.”

The second statement uses characteristics to create a sociological comparison.

Using sociologists in this topic

AQA mark schemes identify sociologists including Troeltsch and Niebuhr among possible sources for questions concerning religious organisations. They also identify writers such as Bruce, Heelas, Wallis and Woodhead in this area.

However, the supplied AQA material does not set out detailed accounts of Troeltsch's or Niebuhr's classifications.

Therefore, this page does not attribute a more detailed church-denomination model to them that is not contained in the supplied sources.

📌 For examination purposes, knowing a sociologist's name is less useful than accurately answering the particular organisational comparison in the question.

How to answer a comparison question

AQA has tested organisation through 10-mark analyse questions, so knowing how to use an item is crucial.

Suppose an item tells you:

• a denomination has traditional beliefs;

• a denomination has hierarchical power.

You now have two hooks.

Paragraph 1: Belief

Use the traditional-belief hook.

Then contrast it explicitly with the second organisation.

For example:

denomination → traditional religious belief

versus

New Age movement → self-spirituality and de-traditionalisation

Then explain the significance of this difference.

Paragraph 2: Organisation and authority

Use the hierarchy hook.

Then contrast:

denomination → formal hierarchical authority

with

New Age movement → greater individual authority and less traditional leadership

Again, develop the difference.

The examiner is not asking for everything you know about both organisations.

The task is to analyse two differences.

Key Words 🔑

Key word	Student-friendly definition	How it may be used in an exam
Religious organisation	An organised social form through which religious beliefs and practices are expressed.	Establish what churches and denominations represent sociologically.
Church	A religious organisation characterised in AQA material by generally traditional, conservative beliefs and a strict hierarchy of power.	Compare its beliefs or authority structure with another religious organisation.
Denomination	A formal religious organisation based on traditional religious beliefs and possessing a hierarchy of power.	Use when analysing differences from New Age movements or other organisations.
Hierarchy	A structure in which authority or power is arranged at different levels.	Explain how authority operates within churches and denominations.
Traditional religious belief	An established religious belief that retains authority within a religious tradition.	Contrast churches or denominations with de-traditionalised spirituality.
Conservative belief	Belief that tends to preserve established religious ideas or arrangements.	Use when explaining characteristics of churches in AQA material.
Self-spirituality	Spirituality centred more strongly on the individual self.	Contrast New Age movements with denominations.
De-traditionalisation	A weakening of the authority of established traditions in favour of greater individual choice.	Explain differences between denominations and New Age movements.
Doctrinal purity	A strong emphasis on maintaining particular religious doctrine.	Use when comparing sects with other religious organisations.
Religious authority	Recognised power to organise, interpret or direct religious beliefs and practices.	Compare hierarchical organisations with more individualised forms of spirituality.

Hints from the Examiner Reports 💡

AQA has recently examined both denominations and churches in direct comparison questions, so the examiner reports give particularly useful guidance.

Examiner hint: In 2025, good answers used both item hooks to develop actual differences between denominations and New Age movements. Strong responses discussed individuality, spirituality and equality and supported their points with examples.

The lesson is simple: a difference needs two sides.

Do not write:

“Denominations have a hierarchy.”

Develop the contrast:

“Denominations are formal organisations with a hierarchy of power, whereas New Age movements place greater emphasis on individual authority and are less dependent on traditional religious leadership.”

Examiner hint: Less successful 2025 answers simply stated that New Age movements were different from denominations without explaining how or why.

For every comparison, use:

Organisation A does X, whereas Organisation B does Y. This means...

Examiner hint: Some 2025 students confused New Age movements with New Religious Movements or sects. Accurate classification is essential.

Learn each organisational type separately before attempting comparison questions.

Examiner hint: The 2021 report identified a similar problem. Some students wrote mainly about churches, despite being asked how New Age movements differed from churches. Good knowledge of one side of a comparison cannot compensate for failing to develop the other side.

This is particularly important with the command analyse two differences.

You need two developed comparisons, not two paragraphs describing churches.

Examiner hint: AQA's general 2025 guidance states that item-based 10-mark analyse questions contain prompts or “hooks” that must be used to access application marks. Introductions and conclusions are unnecessary, and two developed paragraphs are usually more effective than several undeveloped points.

For this type of question, spend a few seconds identifying the two hooks before writing.

Common Mistakes ⚠️

Mistake: Treating church and religion as synonyms

Why this is incorrect: A church is one type of religious organisation. AQA separately identifies denominations, sects, cults and New Age movements.

How to improve: Use church only when referring to that organisational category.

Mistake: Treating churches and denominations as exactly the same

Why this is incorrect: AQA lists them as separate religious organisational categories.

How to improve: Recognise their shared features in the supplied assessment material, while avoiding invented distinctions that are not supported by the sources.

Mistake: Describing only one side of a comparison

Why this is incorrect: The examiner reports show that students lost marks by describing churches or denominations without developing how the other organisation differed.

How to improve:

Use explicit comparative language:

• whereas;

• in contrast;

• unlike;

• compared with.

Mistake: Confusing New Age movements with sects

Why this is incorrect: AQA lists them separately, and the 2025 examiner report specifically identified this confusion.

How to improve: Remember the contrasts supported by AQA:

New Age movement → self-spirituality, individuality, de-traditionalisation

sect → doctrinal purity, high commitment, possible opposition to wider society

Mistake: Saying hierarchy just means “there is a leader”

Why this is incorrect: Hierarchy refers to a structured distribution of authority across different levels.

How to improve: Connect hierarchy to power and authority within the organisation.

Mistake: Assuming traditional organisations can never change

Why this is incorrect: AQA's 2021 mark scheme recognised the possibility that churches adapt their beliefs to appeal within changing society.

How to improve: Use qualified wording such as:

“Churches are generally characterised as traditional, although this does not mean they are incapable of adaptation.”

Mistake: Writing everything you know about religious organisations

Why this is incorrect: The 2025 examiner report warns against unfocused answers, and 10-mark analyse questions require two developed item-based points.

How to improve: Identify the exact characteristic being compared and develop only relevant material.

Exam-Style Questions ✍️

Questions

1. Identify one characteristic of a denomination.[1 mark]

2. Define what is meant by a hierarchy of power within a religious organisation.[2 marks]

3. Explain one relationship between the organisational structure of a denomination and religious authority.[4 marks]

4. Outline and explain two characteristics of churches as religious organisations.[10 marks]

5. Read Item A and answer the question that follows.

Item A

Organisation A maintains established religious beliefs and has clearly structured positions of authority. Organisation B places greater emphasis on individual spirituality and has a less formal structure.

Different religious organisations may therefore organise belief and authority differently.

Applying material from Item A, analyse two differences between these forms of religious organisation.[10 marks]

6. Read Item B and answer the question that follows.

Item B

A denomination is organised formally and religious leadership is arranged hierarchically. Another form of religious or spiritual organisation gives individuals greater authority over their own beliefs and practices.

Organisational structure may influence religious experience.

Applying material from Item B, analyse two ways in which organisational structure may be related to religious belief and practice.[10 marks]

7. Outline and explain two ways in which churches and denominations may differ from sects or New Age movements.[10 marks]

8. Read Item C and answer the question that follows.

Item C

Traditional religious organisations are associated with established beliefs and organised structures of authority. However, contemporary religious and spiritual life may also involve individualised beliefs and forms of participation that are less dependent on traditional organisations.

Applying material from Item C and your knowledge, evaluate the view that traditional religious organisations are becoming less significant for religious belief and practice.[20 marks]

Answers and mark scheme

Question 1

Award 1 mark for one valid characteristic of denominations supported by the AQA material, such as:

• based on traditional religious beliefs;

• a formal organisation;

• possessing a hierarchy of power.

Question 2

A hierarchy of power is an organisational structure in which authority is arranged at different levels, so some positions have greater recognised power than others.

Award credit for both:

• structured levels;

• unequal or differentiated authority.

Question 3

A possible answer:

A denomination's hierarchy gives recognised religious leaders greater formal authority than individual participants. This means authority over organised religious belief and practice is located within a formal organisational structure rather than resting entirely with each individual.

Credit should be given for:

• identifying hierarchical organisation;

• explaining its effect on religious authority;

• making the relationship explicit.

Question 4

Two developed characteristics are required.

Characteristic 1: traditional and conservative beliefs

AQA describes churches as generally traditional and conservative in their beliefs. This means established religious traditions continue to influence beliefs and practices rather than authority resting primarily on individual spirituality.

Characteristic 2: hierarchy of power

Churches tend to have a strict hierarchy of power. Religious authority is therefore organised through structured positions rather than being completely informal or individualised.

For stronger responses, each characteristic should be explained, not simply identified.

Evaluation is not required for an outline and explain question.

Question 5

The question requires two developed applications of the item.

Difference 1: belief

Use “established religious beliefs”.

Organisation A resembles the traditional organisation described by AQA for churches or denominations. Organisation B resembles New Age forms in its emphasis on individual spirituality.

The comparison is:

tradition → established authority

versus

self-spirituality → greater individual choice

Difference 2: organisation

Use “clearly structured positions of authority” and “less formal structure”.

Churches and denominations may contain a hierarchy of power, whereas New Age movements may be more fluid and place greater authority with individuals.

Higher-level answers should analyse the significance of each difference rather than merely relabelling the item.

Question 6

Two developed relationships are needed.

First relationship: hierarchy and authority

Use the item's reference to hierarchical leadership. Formal organisation can concentrate recognised authority in particular organisational positions, influencing how religious belief and practice are structured.

Second relationship: individual authority and belief

Use the reference to individuals having greater authority over belief and practice. Less traditional forms such as New Age movements may emphasise self-spirituality, giving individuals more choice over religious or spiritual beliefs.

A strong answer makes the relationship explicit:

organisational form → location of authority → way belief or practice is experienced

Question 7

Possible contrasts include:

Churches or denominations versus New Age movements

• churches and denominations are associated with traditional religious belief, whereas New Age movements may emphasise self-spirituality and de-traditionalisation;

• churches and denominations are hierarchical, whereas New Age movements may place greater emphasis on individual authority and have a more fluid organisation.

Churches or denominations versus sects

• sects may emphasise doctrinal purity;

• sects may require high levels of commitment;

• sects may be in opposition to wider society.

Two comparisons must be clearly developed.

Students should not simply give four isolated definitions.

Question 8

Indicative content may include:

Arguments that traditional organisations may be becoming less significant:

• individualised spirituality;

• self-spirituality;

• de-traditionalisation;

• reduced dependence on traditional religious leadership;

• declining appeal of traditional churches;

• secularisation;

• changing forms of religious participation.

Arguments against the view:

• denominations continue to organise traditional religious belief;

• hierarchical organisations continue to provide structured authority;

• traditional religious belief and contemporary spirituality may coexist;

• churches may adapt to changing social conditions;

• declining participation in one organisational form does not necessarily establish the disappearance of religion.

A strong response should distinguish between:

decline of traditional religious organisations

and

decline of religion or spirituality generally.

A reasoned judgement could argue that contemporary religious belief may become less dependent on formal organisations for some individuals, but the existence of denominations and churches demonstrates that organised, traditional and hierarchical religion remains one form through which belief and practice are expressed. The relationship should therefore be understood as changing and increasingly diverse, rather than assuming one organisational type has simply replaced another.