A sect is a subset of a major religion that has its own distinct worldview, differing from the larger religious group they’ve separated from. Sects form when dissenters or non-believers within a religious group assert their own viewpoint but remain part of the same religion, such as the Shia and Sunni sects within Islam. A cult, on the other hand, may or may not be religious and is often centered on a personality or magic. Cults have set rituals or traditions that may not be sanctioned by the society they exist in and often have a founder who is considered supreme by their followers.
Key Takeaways
- A sect is a subset of a major religion with its own distinct worldview, while a cult may or may not be religious and is centered on a personality or magic.
- Sects form when dissenters within a religious group assert their own viewpoint but remain part of the same religion, while cults often have a founder who is considered supreme by their followers.
- Cults are characterized by beliefs that are not sanctioned by the society they exist in, whereas sects are subsets of major religions with some difference in viewpoints.
