clothingsocial and political structure through supporting the existing socio-political
powers during peace and war.
Three types of churches can be identified: universal, ecclesia, and class
church or denomination. The universal church combines both church and
sect tendencies by its inclusive nature and its ability to integrate members
of society and to satisfy the needs of individuals. The Roman Catholic
Church of the thirteenth century is a good example of this type. The
ecclesia is also inclusive, but it is less successful in incorporating the sect
tendencies in comparison to the universal church. It is, however, more
successful in reinforcing the existing pattern of social integration than in
fulfilling personal function of religion. It can be grasped as the universal
church in a state of rigidification, much as established national churches.
The class church or denomination is less successful in achieving univer-
sality than the ecclesia because it tends to minimize the sectarian ten-
dency to criticize or withdraw from the social order, and it is limited by
class, race, and sometimes regional boundaries.
Further reading: Wilson (1982); Yinger (1970)CLOTHING
The wearing of garments functions to cover the body, to provide protec-
tion from the weather, to make a socio-economic statement (by donning
expensive gowns or suits), to indicate type of employment, acceptance or
non-acceptance of social norms, and for participation in types of sport.
Special clothing is worn to mark special occasions such as graduations,
or it is used to distinguish a lay person from someone holding a religious
position. Besides these practical uses, clothing also operates to signify
certain responsibilities, duties, or power possessed when wearing par-
ticular garments. This function of clothing implies that it must be at least
partially visible to convey its intended message. Wearing something as
simple as a clerical collar or a nun’s habit conveys a spiritual commit-
ment and status by the wearer to others. Even within a particular religious
organization, clothing distinguishes upper level office holders from oth-
ers. In China and Japan, distinguished Buddhist monks are given purple
robes as a visible symbol of their exalted status within the monastic com-
munity. Certain kinds of vestments in Roman Catholicism, for instance,
are donned for the performance of rituals and thus could be called ritual
clothing that is only worn for the performance of specific rites of the
church.