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Cults and Sects
In general terms, sects can be defined as derivations from mainstream conventional movements or from the mainstream religious establishments and faith traditions. A sect is a group of individuals who have separated from the larger community, who are nonconformists by disposition, and who adhere to somewhat different beliefs and observances (usually labeled as heretical).
On the other hand, cults can be perceived as small groups of people with strange ways of life, beliefs, and rites and who are totally devoted to a particular system, object, or figure, including an intense loyalty to the leaders and founders of their group. A cult can be a deviant social unit or quasi-religious organization with exclusive ideology and skewed practices, using deceitful and manipulative psychosocial strategies to recruit new members and to control the rest of its followers.
Being a part of a sect can be a lifetime commitment or a partial involvement. Although there are many similarities between sects and cults, many social analysts consider sects as mild forms of social deviances whereas cults are more severe, pathological, and dangerous entities. Yet labels remain a matter of semantics and perspective as each group is so different from the other ones. Most observations and studies have been done from the outside or based on the reports of ex-members rather than through a detailed study from within these small assemblies.
The purpose of this entry is to (a) define the concepts of cults and sects in more details; (b) explore their various types and kinds; (c) list their similarities and differences; (d) explain their role, function, and communal impact; (e) find out who are the people who are most prone to join them; (f) shed a light on the experience of active members and affiliates (as some have severe disturbances and traumatic encounters); and (g) review the challenges some ex-members face when leaving such groups and their stressful task of adjusting again to the broader social life—a task that may not be easily accomplished by the person or family alone but that requires the help of other therapeutic professionals.
Definitions and Respective Characteristics
The terms sects and cults are often used interchangeably in the literature. Moreover, the general population and the mass media tend to label any strange movement or social units that they do not understand as a sect or cult. Even on a professional level, it is difficult to formulate a universally accepted definition that applies across the board. In addition, there are overlapping characteristics among these groups, because they seem to share similar qualities, activities, and dynamics. For example, law enforcement agencies struggle, at times, to decide which groups qualify to be called gangs and which ones are to be classified as sects or cults based on their nature and history and taking into consideration their rituals, activities, and threats.
Currently, there appears to be an increase in the number of sects, cults, and new religious movements (NRM) in the world today. That may be because of the increase in social isolation, boredom, and loneliness; the proliferation of available information on the Internet; the desire for thrills and adventures, especially among the young generation—or simply the quick coverage of the mass media and news reporting on any new social movement and strange behaviors. Although it is difficult to clearly define many of these phenomena and fully distinguish among their many types and variations, one thing remains common among them all—they seem to be atypical, unconventional, and unorthodox in their nature and function as cluster movements and crowd units. They also tend to have self-appointed leaders who claim to have special knowledge, mission, or power; who are charismatic, eloquent, or bright; who articulate a vision or dogma that is innovative and exclusive in nature; and who demand unquestionable allegiance from all members and followers (and eventually tend to exploit the young and the weak among them).
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