Religious Cults, Sects, and Denominations: A theoretical inquiry into the conceptual boundaries and intersections within the study of Religion

Abstract

This conceptual article undertakes to examine and explicate the term religious ‘cult’ and its relationships with the concepts of religious ‘sect’, religious ‘denomination’ and Religion. In the milieu of New Religious Movements, expanding religious pluralism, religious fundamentalism and extremism, the ambiguity of the religious terms cult, sect and denomination may be problematic for policies concerning Religion and worship, religious education and the practice of Religion. Using qualitative theoretical review methodology, the article investigated the historical and sociological origins and meanings of the terms cult, sect, and denomination, how they relate and overlap, how the meanings have transformed over time and the implications for both academia and religious practice. Conceptual purposive sampling was used to identify and select sources of academic discourses that illuminate the phenomenology of Religion and concepts of 'cult', 'sect' and 'denomination'. Data reveals that it is complex to formulate a precise and universally acceptable definition of the concept of cult from a religious perspective. This is because the term has undergone remarkable transformations from its original meaning and application, which was positive and neutral, to the present-day meaning with negative connotations. In view of the negative meaning and application of the term religious cult today, the term should be used in time and context. Where possible, it should be substituted with other neutral and less negative terms like New Religious Movement (NRM), alternative religious movement or emergent Religion.