Essay on the Church – Sect Typology (591 Words)
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Sect: As a religious group, the Sect refers to those who dissent from the interpretation of the doctrine from an established Church. Its ideal type is a contrast to that of the Church. However, it may share some traits with the latter.
(i) Unlike the Church, the membership of the sect is voluntary and relatively exclusive.
(ii) The sect arises from people’s dissent with the Church over many difference of dogma and perception of the social situation.
(iii) The sect has a clear dogma and values of its own.
(iv) The Sect does not stand for unqualified universal conversion.
(v) God’s grace is not for all. It is won by the individual’s personal faith and ethical behaviour.
(vi) The sect does not believe in ‘the refined verbal spinnings of ecclesiastical theologians’.
(vii) The sect is often intolerant towards other religious groups.
(viii) It may or may not proselytize
(ix) Its chief characteristic is obliteration of distinction between the clergy and the laity.
(x) In its organization, the Sect is usually democratic.
(xi) The Sect takes birth in protest and rebellion. Its relation with the political authority may or may not be smooth. In case, it is rebellious, the Sect may be prosecuted.
Denomination:
The Denomination grows out of the Sect in the same way as the sect grows out of the Ecclesia. According to Johnson, “The line between ecclesia and denomination is not always clear-cut, denomination is what usually result when a sect becomes ‘respectable’ in the eyes of middle class society. A conservative type of sect is more prone to change into a denomination. In this way, a denomination, grows out of a sect and shares many similarities with the Ecclesia.
(i) Socially, denomination is a middle class phenomenon, bound by middle class-status-identity and respectability.
(ii) Its membership is voluntary and open.
(iii) However, its membership is largely defined by the class-status- consciousness.
(iv) The denomination is the result of the Sect becoming larger in terms of members.
In the denomination the binding chord of fellowship of love and religious service’ becomes weak, almost non-existent. For the member of a denomination, Religion is one of his interests., Church-going is just a duty, which he imposes upon himself, his wife and children. The employment of clergy also becomes a status-symbol. Members of the clergy are sometimes in psychology and/or in theology given training. The dilemma of the Church becomes more acute in the denomination.
Cult:
The social reality of the Cult has its roots in the ‘cultic act’. This act is a system of worship;
(i) A complex of feelings and attitudes,
(ii) Symbols including gestures, words, rites and Rituals, and
(iii) A relationship with sacred object and the world beyond.
It involves co-activity and a social boundary. In it the relationship between the laity and clergy is secondary.
(i) The Cult is a voluntary organization,
(ii) It is open to all who wish to join or participate in it.
(iii) However, where secretive, cult tends to be highly exclusive.
(iv) “In general cults are strict only in financial Matters”.
(v) The cult tends to regulate its members as per its doctrine and system of Rituals which are well-defined.
(vi) A cult emphasizes one doctrine or focuses upon a God or Goddess with certain characteristics.
(vii) Cults flourish mostly in metropolitan centers where culturally heterogeneous populations are thrown together. They widely feel the impact of most rapid and impinging social change. Cult creates situations of contingency and powerlessness.
(i) Unlike the Church, the membership of the sect is voluntary and relatively exclusive.
(ii) The sect arises from people’s dissent with the Church over many difference of dogma and perception of the social situation.
(iii) The sect has a clear dogma and values of its own.
(iv) The Sect does not stand for unqualified universal conversion.
(v) God’s grace is not for all. It is won by the individual’s personal faith and ethical behaviour.
(vi) The sect does not believe in ‘the refined verbal spinnings of ecclesiastical theologians’.
(vii) The sect is often intolerant towards other religious groups.
(viii) It may or may not proselytize
(ix) Its chief characteristic is obliteration of distinction between the clergy and the laity.
(x) In its organization, the Sect is usually democratic.
(xi) The Sect takes birth in protest and rebellion. Its relation with the political authority may or may not be smooth. In case, it is rebellious, the Sect may be prosecuted.
Denomination:
The Denomination grows out of the Sect in the same way as the sect grows out of the Ecclesia. According to Johnson, “The line between ecclesia and denomination is not always clear-cut, denomination is what usually result when a sect becomes ‘respectable’ in the eyes of middle class society. A conservative type of sect is more prone to change into a denomination. In this way, a denomination, grows out of a sect and shares many similarities with the Ecclesia.
(i) Socially, denomination is a middle class phenomenon, bound by middle class-status-identity and respectability.
(ii) Its membership is voluntary and open.
(iii) However, its membership is largely defined by the class-status- consciousness.
(iv) The denomination is the result of the Sect becoming larger in terms of members.
In the denomination the binding chord of fellowship of love and religious service’ becomes weak, almost non-existent. For the member of a denomination, Religion is one of his interests., Church-going is just a duty, which he imposes upon himself, his wife and children. The employment of clergy also becomes a status-symbol. Members of the clergy are sometimes in psychology and/or in theology given training. The dilemma of the Church becomes more acute in the denomination.
Cult:
The social reality of the Cult has its roots in the ‘cultic act’. This act is a system of worship;
(i) A complex of feelings and attitudes,
(ii) Symbols including gestures, words, rites and Rituals, and
(iii) A relationship with sacred object and the world beyond.
It involves co-activity and a social boundary. In it the relationship between the laity and clergy is secondary.
(i) The Cult is a voluntary organization,
(ii) It is open to all who wish to join or participate in it.
(iii) However, where secretive, cult tends to be highly exclusive.
(iv) “In general cults are strict only in financial Matters”.
(v) The cult tends to regulate its members as per its doctrine and system of Rituals which are well-defined.
(vi) A cult emphasizes one doctrine or focuses upon a God or Goddess with certain characteristics.
(vii) Cults flourish mostly in metropolitan centers where culturally heterogeneous populations are thrown together. They widely feel the impact of most rapid and impinging social change. Cult creates situations of contingency and powerlessness.
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