Sociology / Soc 1337 · Atom · ~20 seconds
Cult, Sect, Denomination, and Ecclesia
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Sociologists classify religious organizations on a continuum of rising influence: cult (new, small), sect (a breakaway group), denomination (large, mainstream), and ecclesia (an official state religion).
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Christianity moved through all four stages, today existing as denominations in pluralist societies or as ecclesia in state-religion contexts.
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"Cult" carries a negative connotation the sociological term does not require; most religions began this way.