Religious Organizations, Essay Example

The ecclesia, the denomination, the sect, and cult are religious organizations, which are usually identified by the scientists. However, all of these religious forms differ depending on the role of God, type of worships, etc.

“The local organization, called an ecclesia, is the principal unit of government in the group; there is no general overall organization, and no distinction is made between clergy and laity” (Britannica 2009). The distinctive feature of this organization is that people do not meet in the church, but in some rented apartment or even a house. Common types of ecclesia are Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica and Castlevania Order of Ecclesia.

Denomination is a group of parishioners who are united into one administrative and legal hierarchy by common faith. As over time religious philosophies, theology, or trends change slightly, big religious groups are divided into subgroups. The examples are Anglican Catholic Church, American Baptist Association, and Orthodox Church in America.

Sect is a religious group that has common roots with some bigger religion. “Sects have many beliefs and practices in common with the religion that they have broken off from, but are differentiated by a number of doctrinal differences.” (KnowledgeRush 2009). Examples are Connectionist sects, Evangelical sects, etc.

Cult is a form of religious worship to the divine power with external ceremonies and rites. Fro sociological point of view cult is “a small religious group that exists in a state of tension with the predominant religion”. Therefore, Hinduism is considered to be a cult on the territory of the USA. In it turn, Christianity can be considered cult in India.

Works Cited

“ecclesia.” Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 27 Apr. 2009. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/177752/ecclesia>.

“sect”. KnowledgeRush, 2009. 27 Apr. 2009. <http:/ /knowledgerush.com/kr/encyclopedia/Sect/>.