Answered: What is the difference between a sect…

Social Psychology (10th Edition)

10th Edition

ISBN:9780134641287

Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers

Publisher:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers

Chapter1: Introducing Social Psychology

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1RQ1

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Question

What is the difference between a sect and a religion?

Expert Solution

Sect:

Troeltsch characterised sects as organisations that broke away from a church (through a schism) because they were dissatisfied with its teachings or practices. This would be a small-scale schism with the sect formed by dissatisfied members of a congregation rather than a split towards the top of the hierarchy.

Troeltsch said of sects:

They claim a monopoly over the truth and are often hostile to other religious organisations
They do not have a complex, bureaucratic hierarchy, instead usually being led by a charismatic leader.
They are small
They demand total commitment from members, and therefore are not accessible without significant sacrifices on the part of members
They are usually hostile to the state and to mainstream society (what Wallis called world-rejecting)
Often made up of marginalised, deprived groups, such as those on low incomes or from marginalised minority-ethnic groups.

Sects might include extremist organisations like Jim Jones’ the People’s Temple or David Koresh’s Branch Davidians.

Sects tend to grow quickly (especially if there is a charismatic leader) but can also decline very quickly. If the sect was