Would you consider the church a total institution?

Question

As identified by Erving Goffman, a total institution is defined as an institution that regulates all aspects of a person's life under a single authority. There are four common traits of total institutions:

(1) All aspects of life are conducted in the same place under the control of a single authority.
(2) Any activities within the institution are conducted in the company of others in the same circumstances.
(3) The authorities devise rules and schedule activities without consulting the participants.
(4) All aspects of life within a total institution are designed to fulfill the purpose of the organization.

Do you think that all four of these characteristics can be attributed to the church? I do, and so do most other sociologists. What seems odd to me is that other examples of total institutions include a prison and a mental hospital.

Church.... prison.... mental hospital.... yeah, I can see the connection.

Answer 1

I am not sure why you are asking this question, since you already seem to have made up your mind. In the spirit of a high level of discourse, however, let me take a stab at it.

The trouble here is that this theory requires that there be no exceptions to the rule. Under the theory as you have articulated it, there are four traits, all of which must be fulfilled. Three of four of these traits contain the words "any" or "all," so that if an institution conducts only most of the aspects of life in the same place, or if only most of the aspects of life within the institution are designed to fulfill the purpose of the organization, the organization would fail the test.

There are some churches, I am sure, that would pass muster under this theory. But most, I think, would fail. I am not personally familiar with any church that conducts ALL aspects of life in the same place. Nor am I familiar with many that are truly under the the control of a single authority. Many might claim to be under a single authority, but it rately works that way. Sociology, as a science, must concern itself with observable facts, not theological truth claims.

I am also not familiar with any church where all activities are conducted in the company of others in the same circumstances. If this means that people are strictly segregated by life stage (child, young adult, middle aged, senior adult, etc.) then it doesn't fit any church of which I am personally aware: though I am sure there must be some out there.

I know that I have never participated in a church where authorities devise rules and schedule activities without consulting the participants. Have you observed this personally in a field work situation? If so, I would like to hear about it.

Most churches (like most non-profits and businesses) would claim that all of their activities are designed to fulfill the purpose of the organization. But, sadly, I have been to far too few churches that actually achieve this goal. Sociology, again, must be about observable facts, not theological truth claims.

Who are "most other sociologists"? I don't see how this claim that "the church" (what church? The Roman Catholic Church? The Prebyterian Church in America? The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints? The Native American Church? Please specify) can be substantiated with any evidence of which I am aware.

Sociology is about science - about description of the world as it is. It is not about defending religion (Durkheim notwithstanding) or discrediting it (Marx notwithstanding). Please drop me a line and share your reasoning.

Answer 2

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RE:
Would you consider the church a total institution?
As identified by Erving Goffman, a total institution is defined as an institution that regulates all aspects of a person's life under a single authority. There are four common traits of total institutions:

(1) All aspects of life are conducted in the same place under the control of a single...

Answer 3

You logic is supported by one perspective. The truth is there are just as many different churches as there are people. If you look, I'll bet you'd find one you enjoy.

My favorite is Saddleback in lake Forest, CA. They have a venue there called Overdrive. They play Rock-n-Roll music and the pastor comes over streamed video.

Answer 4

The church is not an institution it is the body of Christ and is made up of people. It is not an organization of man.