In religion, for instance, denominations may be considered sects. Other academic definitions of the term tend to look at a socio-cultural definition, in that what is it that the group, the sect, is in tension with and why did it believe it had to separate (e.g. The Episcopalians separating over the ordination of a gay Bishop) (Wilson, 1992, 5-9).
Sects also occur in political, social, and cultural groups and, like religious sects, are splinter groups who leave a party or organization because of disagreement on some level. The early International Communist Parties of 1915-1935, for instance had numerous sects. All these were based on the doctrine of Marx & Engles, but took on a slightly different thrust based on location (Russia, China, United States, Great Britain), and whether they believed the 1917 Revolution was carried out properly. One additional definition says that sects, "lay claim to possess unique and privileged access to the truth or salvation and their committed adherent typically regard all those outside the confines of the collectivity as 'in error'" (Wallis, 1975).
At times in history, the term had a negative meaning, at least in Christianity. At times, even though early Christianity began as a Jewish sect, it referred to a group or movement with heretical beliefs that deviated from orthodoxy (Wilson, 1982, 89).
Eschatology -- Eschatology is a part of philosophy and theology that is concerned with initial beliefs, archetypal subjects, and the ultimate destiny of humanity. In theology, this is focused more on a study of Revelations, or the four last things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell (OED, 2010). Within Christian philosophy, eschatology also studies the idea of free will and asking for God's help regarding sin and help with the many issues of daily life traverses thoughts back to the historical Sermon on the Mount, and the resulting Lord's Prayer. It is well documented that the young Augustine was influenced by the writings of Origen, whose writings and commentaries on the availability of God...
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