Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

A2 Beliefs. cults, sects, denominations

Can anybody help me with information for these three things?? I need to know the similarities and differences between them and I cant find it anywhere! Also does anybody have a really good example of a sect?
Thanks :smile:

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 1

pizzad0gs

Ayyyy I've actually just finished this section of the spec :biggrin:

Cult - Deviant. Low level of commitment needed, Stark and Bainbridge said there are 3 types - audience cult (no direct contact, usually subscribing to emails etc), client cult (buying services like acupuncture) and cultic movement (i.e. scientology) Accepting of wider society, doesn't claim a monopoly of truth, open to all.
Sect - Deviant. Rejects wider society and often cuts itself away from it. Usually short lived. Has one charismatic leader. Very high commitment expected. Claim monopoly of religious truth. Exclusive - you usually need to be invited or born into it. Some examples are: People's Temple, Heaven's Gate, Branch Davidians! All of these ended in the members killing themselves.
Denomination - Neibuhr developed the typology. Described as a "watered down church", doesn't claim a monopoly of truth, has a hierarchy of paid members (i.e. clergy), open to all, usually accepting of other beliefs in society, requires moderate level of commitment.

Let me know if you need anything else, or if anything's unclear :smile:

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 2

miaaim