The Encyclopedia of World Religions

cults and sects, religious S 109

these words have come to have particular mean ings in the sociology of religion, and “cult” espe cially has acquired a very negative meaning in the media and in the eyes of the general public. In the traditional sociology of religion, cults and sects are religious “withdrawal groups,” that is, groups of people who withdraw from the dominant religion of the society in order to prac tice what they believe to be a purer, truer, or bet ter religion, even if that means being associated only with a small body of like-minded believers. They are likely to regard the predominant reli gion as lukewarm and hypocritical, if not plain wrong. These groups are bound to offer a strong, intensely-felt commitment or experience; this takes the place of looser but important commu nity and family and traditional bonds supported by the conventional faith. Usually they have, or were founded by, a powerful leader of strong cha risma or personal appeal. Sociologists use the word “sect” to refer to such a withdrawal group within a predominant or major faith, which presents a “purer” and more intense version of the same. Examples would be the A MISH or J EHOVAH ’ S W ITNESSES within C HRISTIAN ITY , certain strict Hasidic groups ( see H ASIDISM ) in J UDAISM , and comparable movements within I SLAM or H INDUISM . Usually followers of sects live close knit lives regulated in many important respects, from dress to diet to occupation, by the sect; this of course sets them apart from the rest of society. Cult, on the other hand, means a withdrawal group based on an alternative or imported religion, like those in the United States grounded in Eastern religions or in an esoteric tradition like R OSICRU CIANISM . Often they offer subjective practices like MEDITATION or chanting. Some may enjoy a close knit, regulated community, but may also have a more diffuse following of people who just attend their lectures or read their books and perhaps do the practice from time to time. It is important to realize that this scheme does not apply too well to the fluid religious situation in the United States. It is based on Europe, where a society typically has one state church or dominant religion—R OMAN C ATHOLICISM in Spain, L UTHERANISM

nople became the center of a Latin state, which did not last out the century; the Crusaders also estab lished small states known as Frankish kingdoms in the Greek Peninsula. They never engaged Muslims in combat. The Crusades have provided European culture with much legend and literature. They were a par ticularly rich source of material during the Roman tic movement in the early 19th century. They also led to the founding of several religious orders. One order was the Knights Templar, a short-lived mili tary-religious order, originally based in Jerusalem, that turned to banking when the last of the cru sader states fell. Another was the Knights Hospital ers, an order originally charged with caring for the needs of pilgrims. It continues today as the Knights of Malta. On balance, however, the main outcome of the Crusades would seem to be senseless expenditure and misery. Although technically warring against Muslim armies, the Crusaders found excuses to attack others, many of whom had no adequate means of defense. In addition to Orthodox Chris tians, such as those who fell victim to the Fourth Crusade, a large number of European Jews were slaughtered by those infused with the crusading spirit. Equally senseless was the so-called Chil dren’s Crusade of 1212. In this venture, children from the area around the Rhine attempted to cross the Alps under the leadership of a 12-year-old boy. They wanted to go and fight for the Holy Land. Most died of hunger and exposure. Ten to 20 years later rumors spread that some of these children had been spotted, now grown up, working as slaves on galleys sailing the Mediterranean. cults and sects, religious An act of religious WORSHIP , or a small intense religious group, often one considered controversial. In religion, the word “cult” can mean any kind of worship, especially that of a particular god or shrine, as in speaking of ancient Greece one might refer to the “cult of A POLLO .” Likewise, “sect” can denote any faction or group, especially a small one strongly devoted to a certain belief. In the 20th century, however,