SOCIOLOGY
OPTIONAL
UNIT-8B (Lecture-35) | RELIGION AND SOCIETY–
Types of Religious Practices: Animism, Monism,
Pluralism, Sects Cults Part 2
CHAPTER 8: RELIGION AND SOCIETY
UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
➢ What is Cult? Explain the growth of cults in the contemporary world. (2021, 10 Marks,
150 Words)
➢ What are sects? Discuss their role in multi-religious societies with empirical examples.
(2018, 20 Marks, 250 Words)
➢ Religious Pluralism is the order of present-day societies”. Explain by giving suitable
examples? (2016, 20 marks, 250 words)
➢ Distinguish between sects and cults with illustrations. (2015, 10 marks, 150 words)
1. SECTS
➢ Introduction:
➢ Formal Definition: Sects are deviant groups of mainstream religion that
see themselves as uniquely legitimate and do not accept the right of
other religions to claim any authority for their belief.
➢ Examples:
1.1 SECTS: Features/Characteristics
1.2 SECTS: Thinkers View
2. CULTS
➢ Introduction:
➢ Formal Definition: Steve Bruce defined Cult as, loosely knit group
organized around some common themes and interests but lacking any
sharply defined and exclusive belief system.
➢ Examples:
2.1 CULTS: Features/Characteristics
2.2 CULTS: Thinkers View
2.3 Reasons for Proliferation of Cults and Sects
➢ Marginalization:
➢ Relative Deprivation:
➢ Social Change:
➢ Modernization and Secularization:
➢ Sense of Detachment:
3. CHURCH
➢ Formal Definition: As per Ernst Troeltsch, church refers to a large
religious organization. In this Individuals do not have to demonstrate
their faith to become members of a church. – indeed, often they are born
into it.
4. DENOMINATIONS
➢ WHAT? As per Rodney Stark and William Bainbridge, denomination usually
refers to an organization that shares several but not all of the supposed
features of a church. It is often seen as a diluted version of church.
Thank You
