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A sect is a small religious group that has branched off of a larger established religion. Sects have many beliefs and practices in common with the religion that they have broken off from, but are differentiated by a number of doctrinal differences. In contrast, a denomination is a large, well established religious group.
The word sect comes from the Latin secta (from sequi to follow), meaning an organized religious body or organization, from Latin, meaning a course of action or way of life.
Sociologists use the word sect to refer to a religious group with a high degree of tension with the surrounding society, but whose beliefs are (within the context of that society) largely traditional. A cult, by contrast, also has a high degree of tension with the surrounding society, but its beliefs are (within the context of that society) new and innovative. Sects, in the sociological sense, are generally traditionalist and conservative, seeking to return a religion to its (perceived) religious purity.
In European languages (other than English) the word 'sect' is used to refer to a dangerous religious sect, similar to how English-speakers popularly use the word 'cult'. In some countries, such as Belgium, the government maintains a list of 'sects' to warn parents of their dangers. Critics say that some of the 'sects' on these lists are actually parts of recognized denominations, for example, Opus Dei.
In Latin America, it is often applied to any non-Catholic group, regardless of size, often with the same negative connotation that 'cult' has in English.
See Also
External Links
- Apologetics Index: research resources on cults, sects, and related issues. (http://www.apologeticsindex.org/) The publisher operates from an evangelical Christian point of view, but the site links to and presents a variety of viewpoints.
- ReligionNewsBlog.com (http://www.religionnewsblog.com) Current news articles about religious cults, sects, and related issues.
- [1] (http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/rap-enq/r2468.asp) : French state investigation about sects in France (1995 - French)
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