Religious sect: definition and typology. What to do if your loved one is in a sect?

What is a sect?

A sect is a term used to describe an independent group that conducts its religious activities in opposition to the main religious community. But, given that religion is a diverse and changing phenomenon of life, this definition is very vague. Moreover, the term has already gone beyond the boundaries of religious studies and is considered a social or legal concept.

The origin of the word “secta” is interpreted differently by different sources. Some translate it as “teaching, direction, school.” Others - as “cut off, separated” or identical to the word “heresy”. Still others consider it an iteration of Latin words that translate as “to follow” (a leader who gives direction). Regardless of the translation, the word “sect” is more often used as an insult, necessarily associated with deception or fraud.

Although initially the concept did not carry anything negative . In ancient Greece, it meant any school that separated from the generally accepted philosophical teaching. The first Christians, for example, were called a Jewish sect by many Roman authors. And already in the strengthened Christian church, this word began to be associated with any false teaching that differs from the canonical one.

In modern Russia, certain directions of Hinduism, Buddhism, as well as Baptism, Adventism, Mormonism, and Scientology are called sectarian. But in some countries, only followers of religious minorities are called “sectarians.” In the USA, for example, Protestants are elected to the Senate, and in Western European countries Lutheranism is predominantly widespread. Perhaps this is why the scientifically biased concept of “sect” in most countries has been replaced by the tolerant New Religious Movements (NRM).

Taking into account all the clarifications regarding the word “sect”, the definition can be changed slightly : this is a community that has separated from any creed, or has arisen on the basis of a new doctrine or the religious-mystical experience of a particular person.

Are Baptists sectarians or not?

Baptists are a Protestant sect. The organization is widespread throughout the world, in particular in Russia and Ukraine.

They refuse such basic sacraments of the church as communion and baptism. Baptism is performed in adulthood, and they call priests presbyters.

Members of the organization do not accept the cross and prayer in front of the icon, and do not believe in the Mother of God and the saints. The Bible is considered a holy book, but it has a different interpretation than that of Christians.

Ardent opponents of alcoholic beverages, they are even forbidden to sit at the same table with people who drink alcohol.

Types of sects

A negative attitude towards sects can be explained by the fact that most people consider them to be totalitarian. And the word “sectarian” is used as a synonym for the concept of “religious fanatic.” This is not entirely correct. Yes, among the new teachings there are openly dangerous and extremist ones. This is the Japanese movement “AUM Shinrikyo”, the American organization “Peoples Temple”. Some of them are prohibited by law. But there are many that are no more dangerous than any organization. An example would be Baptistism.

There is no generally accepted global classification of religious communities yet. There are criteria by which communities are considered sectarian in a particular country. In Russia, active sects are distinguished:

By type of religious leadership:

Charismatic . The activity is associated with the personality of a newly minted seer or a suddenly revealed gift (Pentecostals).
Authoritarian . It is characterized by harsh methods of managing sectarians, total control over their behavior, and centralization of power in the hands of leaders (White Brotherhood).
Hierarchical . Sectarians receive their posts after designated tests on the basis of the charter (Mennonites, evangelists).
Theocratic. Strives to create an organization or an entire theocratic state, where important matters are decided according to divine instructions (Jehovah's Witnesses).

By time of occurrence:

Classic . Confessions that traditionally existed in certain ethnic groups (Tatars, Jews, Germans, Poles).
Newest . The age of the teaching does not exceed two hundred years.

By type of activity:

Religious . A union of believers who have broken away from traditional religious teachings (Christianity, Islam).
Economic . These are pseudo-teachings that dishonest people, that is, ordinary scammers, use as a cover. This also includes some forms of network marketing that create a commercial cult - the same sectarian teaching, only without religious overtones.
Psychological . Multi-stage psychological trainings that promise to liberate and make you a leader, but in the end they deprive you of money and break your psyche.
Healing . This is training in energy healing, bioenergy, biocorrection or the provision of services related to healing.
Environmental . Concern for the environment, animals or human health turns into a cult that breaks a person’s psychological defenses (hard veganism, for example).

No religious figure can define clear boundaries of the Church. Therefore, it is better to recognize an unsafe sect at the recruitment stage.

How to recognize a dangerous sect?

The concept of “sect” is not defined in jurisprudence, and according to the law on freedom of religion, all religious beliefs are formally equal. But in practice, this law has a downside: some sectarian groups become dangerous to people. The danger manifests itself at four levels: individual, family, society and state.

Manipulation schemes.

There have never been so many teachings dangerous to the psyche as there are today. It is important to distinguish the schemes by which they lure more and more new followers:

Aggressive religious marketing. This is a literal imposition of a new creed, which does not allow a person to comprehend everything rationally. Sometimes a newcomer is bombarded with proposals, literature, and demands for an immediate solution. The sect's advertising is disguised as charity, they send out free literature, and involve famous people. For example, actor Tom Cruise actively supports the school of Scientology.
Step-by-step technique. The newcomer is asked for a minor favor or request. Having fulfilled the request, he feels a little like superman and wants to increase his usefulness. This is followed by a specific sentence: “Take the magazine from me.” And again the person hears endless gratitude and appreciation. As a result, it is no longer possible to refuse the offer “come to our meeting.”
Tricks. Recruiters show miracles of insight or mind reading. Usually through banal statements or streamlined phrases like “you have one sin...” or “you want happiness for your children.”
Free personal growth trainings. A charismatic coach promises changes in a very short time. And the advertising of the event is accompanied by enthusiastic and positive reviews from the participants. There may be other innocent excuses for finding interested people: learning to cleanse the body, opening the “third eye” or magical sexuality.
Love bombing. In order to actively rebuild the consciousness of a newcomer, he is surrounded with comprehensive love, immersed in an atmosphere of admiration and care. This could be sincere interest, help, countless hugs or kisses. All the group's actions are aimed at emphasizing the contrast between the cold, cruel world and the friendly sect, where the newcomer is valued and loved.

The remaining options may differ between sects or depend on the character of the newcomer. For one, it is enough to simply listen, for another, it is necessary to constantly load with new information, for the third, it is necessary to create the illusion of an elite club “only for the elite”. With the right approach, the newcomer himself begins to seek contact, and outside the sect he feels like a drug addict without a dose.

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Signs of destructive teaching.

Any sect is a “state within a state” with its own internal laws, system of reward and punishment. But there are signs by which dangerous sectarian communities can be distinguished:

Relatively young age. Totalitarian sects are a product of the 20th century. Therefore, an organization with an age of 20-30-50 years cannot be called a “church”.
Reluctance to answer questions. Apart from explanations about their young history, sectarians generally do not like critical questions. They avoid a direct answer and switch to preaching or persuasion.
Anti-family sentiment . According to the sectarians, blood ties can only be explained by chance. They convince that one’s own family can only bind an individual, that a newly minted sectarian can be turned away from the intended path and made unhappy. Therefore, the “old” family needs to be replaced with a “new” one, capable of providing complete “spiritual development”.
Double teaching. At the start, newcomers are not given all the details about the teaching, the leader, and the rituals. But they provide beautiful, enticing advertising. Documents “for internal use” are introduced later.
The presence of a cult. These can be mystical practices, rites or worship services, which are accompanied by strict rituals. For example, a newcomer is accepted into the circle of “initiates”, united by excessive attachment to a leader or idea, only after difficult trials.
Rigid hierarchy. Sectarians are people who live according to a strict hierarchy, where newcomers are assigned the lowest level. To rise higher, you need to fulfill certain conditions: donate a large sum, undergo paid training, perform the required act.
Leader infallibility. Every word a leader says must be taken as truth. Moreover, as a truth “more true” than that of other (especially traditional) religious teachings. The leader's name is often replaced with a pseudonym, emphasizing his chosenness.
Chosenness of followers. The followers of the cult are instilled with the idea of their “elitism”, which only the worthy receive through complex self-improvement. The rest of the people are recognized as unworthy “second-class” people.
Neutralization of criticism. The newly minted sectarian is immediately immersed in a continuous flow of information. These could be lectures, trips to public places, an exhausting diet, the inability to sleep or relax. Monotonous sounds of a certain frequency, multiple repetitions of words in a monotonous voice, continuous actions further increase inhibition and introduce a state of high suggestibility.
Total control. Even if a family is created within a sect, it can hardly be called a family. Sometimes the bride and groom are brought together or family life is limited by many prohibitions. But the ultimate goal of sectarian activity is control over all spheres of life of sectarians.

Claims to infallibility and mind control

Of course, each sect declares its absolute infallibility and the superiority of its own leader over all others, including the founders of the world's leading religions. The teaching of each of them claims to be an expression of the Supreme Truth and is not subject to criticism. Anyone who questions this is usually classified as a “two-legged animal.”

When considering the most characteristic features of a sect, one cannot lose sight of the technique they use, such as programming the consciousness of their members. The fact is that people with an unstable psyche, lack of solid moral criteria and spiritual knowledge usually become sectarians. As a rule, they are easily suggestible, so they easily give up personal freedom and are ready to carry out the instructions of their “teachers.”

What attracts people to sects?

The emphasis in recruitment is not on intellect, but on emotions. But it is impossible to manipulate a person’s consciousness if he himself does not allow it. For the “bait” to work, two conditions must match:

Sectarian promises must fall into the “pain” or interests of the newcomer. It can be anything: the desire to improve relationships, retain a partner, reveal inner potential, learn English, recover from chronic diseases.
A person must be easily suggestible. There are people who are suggestible by nature. But most become like this during times of stress, when the psyche is especially susceptible to any suggestions. Especially when a person is left alone with his problem. If at the right moment another person approaches with sympathy or the right proposal, the likelihood of recruitment increases.

But some people strive to get into sects, they want it. Why are sects so attractive and why do people go there voluntarily?

Reason 1. Search for the meaning of life.

Sooner or later, a person begins to think: “Why am I living?”, “What is the meaning of my mission?” Without an answer, he feels morally broken and sometimes becomes depressed. These could be old people left without the support of loved ones. Or those who, after injuries, cannot do what they love. Teenagers without a clear idea of their “I” are at particular risk. They are the ones who become victims of sectarian recruiters.

As soon as such a person comes to the attention of sectarians, he is offered a coherent concept of “correct life.” In exchange for fulfilling the conditions, the sectarian is guaranteed success, the love of others, and a place in heaven.

Reason 2. Specific relationship with the world.

Low self-esteem, difficult family relationships, experiences of social injustice, the desire to join a significant community - all these are characteristic features of a potential sectarian. The state of alienation is enhanced by the feeling that the person has been underestimated in his usual social environment.

A sectarian group helps a sectarian feel like a full-fledged person. Moreover, in order to increase their attractiveness, sects work in a targeted manner and focus on the individual needs of each person.

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Reason 3. Personal drama.

Mental trauma, as a rule, is associated with separation, difficult relationships in a couple, death of a loved one, serious illness, age-related crisis, misunderstanding of parents. Alone with himself, a person feels crushed, unprotected, and deprived of a future. Some people go through this crisis on their own, some fall into addiction, some look for support from strangers.

It’s a paradox, but the psychotherapist’s fear turns out to be stronger than the fear of the sect. But recruiters perfectly perform the role of a psychotherapist who promises to return vital energy.

Reason 4. Pathological altruism.

As the motto of ancient Greek medicine states, “Only measure determines whether a substance is a poison or a medicine.” Altruism in itself is a noble cause. But together with excessive compliance with the interests of others, it can take pathological forms. This combination manifests itself especially often in idealistic boys or girls who are disappointed in the real world.

To lure such people, the recruiter only needs to mention that the sect’s mission is to improve the world. Subsequently, the lower and middle class of performers is formed from such sectarians.

Of course, every case is always special. Each sect has its own target audience and its own methods of recruitment. But they all use human weaknesses, attracting people with their simple and understandable answers to tormenting questions.