Church-sect Theory
Scholars have tried to classify religious movements by coming up with ways through which religious movements form. The most extensively employed categorization is the church-sect typology. The church-sect theory states that churches, sects, and cults form a continuum with declining effect on society. Groups that decide to break away from the mainstream religious organizations form sects.
Therefore, sects are never in good terms with other members of society because their members are perceived as perverts. This explains why sects tend to be in constant conflicts with society.
Sects are different from cults and religious movements because they do not have new teachings but instead deviates from the teachings of the mainstream church. Scholars utilize the attitudes of sect members and their level of involvement in society to determine their culture.
The church-sect theory is mostly used to differentiate sects from denominations and churches. The theory originated from the writings of Max Weber. As previously observed, the church-sect theory suggests that categorization of religions is a gamut that ranges from a protest-like sects to the symmetry preserving religion. The church represents the religious norms and standards of society.
In other words, churches are the custodians of religion in a certain society. In this regard, religious competition is not tolerated in such societies because it may bring about tension and mistrust. A perfect example of a church is the Islamic religion, which does give room for religious freedoms. Unlike sects, churches claim universality meaning that each member of society should be included.
Moreover, churches enjoy monopolies implying that they always try to eliminate all forms of competitions. In fact, the church has the endorsement of the state. State organs, such as the military, the judiciary, and the executive support it. During state functions, churches will always be invited to offer prayers and spiritual guidance.
Denominations are also different from sects but almost similar to churches. Just like churches, denominations are always in good terms with the state and may even influence the government to implement its policies. Unlike churches, denominations tolerate theological diversity.
This means that members are free to criticize the beliefs of a particular denomination. Unlike sects, members are not involved so much in its affairs. However, the level of involvement is intent as compared to churches. Sects are new religious groups that are established by disgruntled individuals.
They always come up with new teachings, claiming that the mainstream church does not provide freedoms and openness. Sects are differentiated from denominations because low class individuals form them. For instance, sects can discourage their members from wearing jewelry and expensive ornaments that are often associated with the reach. After their establishment, sects take three major paths.
One of them is dissolution path. This happens when members come to the realization that they cannot achieve their objectives by following the teachings of the sect. Another path is institutionalization. This happens when the sect is forced to embrace the features of the denomination in order to comply with the law. The third path is the development into a denomination. This happens when a sect finally becomes a denomination.
Religious Conflict
Conflicts in the church are evident in all parts of the world. It is noted that all religious groups experience conflicts. For instance, Hindu, Islam, Christianity, and other traditional religions have been faced with serious conflicts. A number of factors cause these conflicts.
If some individuals tend to control the affairs of the church, conflicts would be inevitable. In India, the Hindu religion experienced conflicts because the son of the rajah tended to control the affairs of the mainstream religion.
The leader was accused of favoring his relatives in the appointment of priests. In China, a different religious belief referred to as Taoism emerged to oppose Confucianism mainly because of personal differences. In the bible, the apostles differed over some issues.
For instance, the apostles of Jesus differed from the apostles of John over baptism. The apostles of Jesus believed that baptism would convince the followers to embrace the teachings of the bible.
For the apostles of John, they believed that an individual had to repent before being baptized. The apostles of Jesus believed that an individual had to believe before being baptized. This means that repentance and belief were the causes of disagreement.
In the modern religion, there is an existing conflict between Roman Catholic and Protestantism. Catholic believes that people should be loyal to the church because the pope is the representative of Jesus Christ on earth. The central act of worship for Catholics is the Mass.
Grace is provided through the seven sacraments. Even though Protestantism concurs with Catholic over a number of teachings, the main conflict centers on the bible.
Protestants believe in the New Testament and have four major convictions. One of the beliefs is that an individual should relate directly with God as opposed to using priests. Moreover, the bible should be perceived as the word of God. Protestants observe that God works through miracles.