Critically examine sociological explanations for the emergence and growth of religious sects in an apparently secular society.

The widely accepted definition of a religious sect is a religious group with characteristics, which distinguishes it from either a Church or a denomination. Many groups which fit this definition now opt the less contentious title of new religious movements, because all(prenominal) tell the last fifty years, sects claim become cerebrate with brainwashing, visual adept self-annihilation, and even a murder. One of the examples is the suicide of 900 members of the Peoples temple. Sects argon not a new phenomenon and they have perpetually attracted controversy. Throughout History, populace has formed secret societies and secular groups to strain to make sense of the universe of discourse. Most of the time, their buckram beliefs have sprung from dissatisfaction with mainstream religions, although the influence of Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism locoweed be seen in many of todays sects. Sects in general depend on the qualities of the charismatic draw, if thither is on e. A dictatorial sect leader is as potentially dangerous as a dictatorial political leader; perhaps even much so, because members ar subjected to their gurus every whim, they ar often portrayed as being inspired by some form of higher(prenominal) power, and atomic number 18 told that they bequeath completely reach repurchase if the obey his or her word, Sects are small religious movements. They unendingly keep a strong distance between themselves and the innovation outside.

Troeltsch claimed that sects are connected with the lower classes or at least with those elements in society which are oppose to the state and the society. They are in opposition to the world (Haralambos and Ho lborn, sociology Themes and Perspective). Se! ct members are sometimes pass judgment to remove all contacts with the outer world except only when they wish to see changes taking place in the wider society. Members are expected to intensely commit themselves to the sects beliefs. They can be expelled... If you postulate to get a full essay, tack together it on our website: OrderEssay.net

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