2006-11-22 15:38:44 · 12 answers · asked by Alex S 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
When it is made up of a founder and more than one follower, and when they have a set of doctrines which are unique to them.
2006-11-22 15:41:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion is man-made set of rules, regulations, and rituals all aimed at hoping to please their prospective "god(s)". Christianity, is not a religion, although many tend to make it out to be one and the world lumps it under that title. A "sect" is a "section" that branched off from either a religion or from Christianity. Some sects start off on the right path but eventually turn religious or erroneous. Others remain on the right path.
On sign of when a sect turns religious is if that sect is more concerned about fulfilling rules and rituals than simply talking to God. Another sign is when their basic core beliefs have become poluted from the original core of beliefs.
As a Christian, one should realize he or she is in a religious sect simply by comparing what is said from the pulpit to what is written in the Holy Bible or by what the vast majority of its members practice or believe in light of the Holy Bible.
But there are some sects in the past which have branched off from religious cults and have remained true to their God for many generations.
But the most down-to-earth answer to give is don't get to caught up in the "sect" or "religion" or "church" thing. In the end, it really won't mean squat where you attended church. Just keep reading the bible.
2006-11-23 00:24:34 · answer #2 · answered by Michael 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was all ready to answer the question in the opposite way: when does a religion turn into a sect, when I realized the direction of your question.
A sect, in the popular modern sense of the word, implies a guru-type of leader, a lot of authority, a tendancy to separate from all others, a tendancy to think all outside influences can be either evil or dangerous. There is also often a tendancy to try and separate a new adherent from their families and friends.
A religion is simply a simple of belief and practice. When we refer to an official, or recognized religion, we mean that a large number of people are practicing it, not just a couple of dozen people, or even a couple of hundred people. In such a case, if we are not dealing with a sect, we might refer to a small movement, or a small religious group.
Both words are pretty vague, because they can be defined in different ways. (The original meaning of sect could be applied to absolutely any religion, and is perfectly innocuous. The word religion can also be applied to a way of life and not just to a movement, but I think that is not the meaning you are intending).
So a sect might become a religion when it ceases its sectarian practices, and also it has a considerable number of followers.
I don't know if that helps.
2006-11-22 23:46:17 · answer #3 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A sect is a religion but it means "a portion" like a "section" of something. Sects are religions that have pulled away from one religion to form another, usually with many of the same beliefs but some new differences.
2006-11-22 23:42:14 · answer #4 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When it ceases to carry the basics of the religion the sect came from to begin with. Though this rarely ever happens. Usually they stay a sect or they started out as a Religion to begin with.
2006-11-22 23:48:10 · answer #5 · answered by Kithy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When they can convince the Government or Country Leaders to adopt or support it. In the very least National or Global majority.
think about it... EVERY major faith or religion of the world started out as a cult...even Christianity. Jesus was hunted by the Government of the time for heresy. Buddha's teachings were denounced by the Brahmins as wrong views because Buddha chose to abolish Caste mentality... many more similar stories of other faiths too.
2006-11-22 23:48:00 · answer #6 · answered by Tiara 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When they give up that which makes them a sect and take on the lies that will make them a religion.
2006-11-22 23:42:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
By the number of adherents. A better question is when is a religion a heresy.
2006-11-22 23:45:26 · answer #8 · answered by rapturefuture 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When it no longer has Mysteries, but instead has Answers, or The Answers, which become Dogma. At that point it becomes a social movement.
2006-11-22 23:59:14 · answer #9 · answered by St. Toad 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think both size of membership and "X" amount of time to make certain it isn;t a passing fancy
2006-11-22 23:41:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋