sectsoriginate with a historical person as in the case of Buddhism, they are
eventually accepted as authoritative by the respective traditions.Further reading: Coburn (1984); Denny and Taylor (1985); Levering (1989);
Smith (1993); van der Leeuw (1963); Widengren (1969)
SECTS
Sects are usually religious groups that create a separate identity from
established institutions because of dissatisfaction with, alienation from,
or criticism of a fixed group. This usually occurs when the established
group is facing a crisis and the old order is collapsing. This scenario
represents an attempt by the sect members to integrate itself into a new
community. In contrast to being born into a church, a person voluntarily
joins a sect in which there is often an emphasis on right behavior. The
selective sect places intensity and commitment above universality for its
members and tends to maintain uncompromising radical attitudes. Placing
a high regard for charismatic authority and feeling of privilege due to
membership in the truly saved or true group, it prefers isolation to com-
promise. In comparison to a church, a sect is not only usually smaller,
less stable, and more exclusive, but it also tends to reject or qualify the
prevailing values of a church or the larger society.
Historically, sects have been transient, and they often evolve into
denominations in the West with a more enduring structure and organiza-
tion. They have also been world-affirming or world-denying. A latter
example would be the Branch Dravidians lead by David Koresh, which
derive from Seventh Day Adventists influence and end in tragedy at their
center in Waco, Texas, whereas the former attitude is exemplified by the
Rādhāsoāmī Satsang founded in 1861 in North India with branches
around the world today and belief that one can be saved by the Satguru
(primal teacher).Further reading: Wach (1944); Yinger (1970)SECULARIZATION
A concept that can be traced back to the Latin term saeculum (world,
century, age), suggesting a process that replaces religious beliefs and