Sect
A sect is a subgroup of a larger religious, philosophical, or political movement that has distinct beliefs or practices that set it apart from the main group.
🧘 RELIGIOUS CONTEXT
In religion, a sect is usually:
-
A smaller group that has split off from a larger religion.
-
Often disagrees with the main group on doctrine, rituals, or leadership.
-
May consider itself the true or pure version of the faith.
Examples:
-
Protestantism started as a sect of Christianity (specifically splitting from the Catholic Church).
-
Shia Islam and Sunni Islam are considered major sects within Islam.
-
Hasidic Judaism is a sect within Orthodox Judaism.
📍 COMMON TRAITS OF SECTS
-
Strong focus on purity of belief or practice.
-
May be led by a charismatic figure.
-
Often tight-knit or closed off from outsiders.
-
Can be socially or geographically isolated.
-
Sometimes seen as controversial or radical by the larger society.
⚠️ SECT VS. CULT VS. RELIGION
| Term | Neutral or Negative? | Main Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Religion | Neutral | Broad belief system, often long-established. |
| Sect | Neutral/slightly negative | A breakaway or minority group within a religion. |
| Cult | Usually negative | Often implies manipulation, extreme devotion, or isolation. |
Important: In academic or religious studies, sect is not automatically negative—it just means a subgroup. But in everyday language, it can have a negative vibe depending on how it's used.
If you’re wondering whether a group (like Scientology, for instance) is considered a sect, it depends who you ask:
-
Scholars might say it's a new religious movement or a sectarian offshoot of self-help psychology.
-
Critics might call it a cult.
-
The Church of Scientology insists it’s a religion, not a sect or cult.