Cults have leaders who manipulate their followers.
A sect is a group of people who share an ideology or belief . The concept arose to name that community whose members had common affinities, which allowed them to differentiate themselves from other groups of individuals.
Over time, the idea of a sect began to be applied to a minority group that splits off from a larger group or that follows a different doctrine than the majority of people. The notion also refers to certain behaviors, conduct and attitudes that the leaders of these groups have and that are harmful to their followers or even to society as a whole.
Currently, those religious groups that pose a potential danger to the community are classified as sects. These are closed groups, which usually settle in remote places and do not allow the rest of society to know their practices in detail.
The destructive sects
It is important to know the existence of what have been called destructive sects. An attempt has been made with this term to refer to groups of people who belong to a movement, whether ideological or religious, that can cause serious consequences for its members. Specifically, because they are associated with elements such as violence, in all its extension. This means that they have, for example, marked suicidal or genocidal overtones.
Among the characteristics that the aforementioned destructive sects possess are the following:
-They do not have any type of democracy within them at all, their organization has a marked pyramidal shape. So much so that there is a leader or several leaders who make each and every decision.
-All the information that reaches the group is reviewed and controlled in advance.
-Its members are completely isolated from their families and friends.
-It is common for “attacks” against physical integrity to take place.
Scientology is a sect that counts Tom Cruise among its followers.
Recruitment of adherents
Cults can recruit their adherents through different methods. They generally carry out tasks of persuasion and convincing people who have different problems (family, economic, social, etc.), promising them a better life if they join the group.
In many cases, this intention to add people to the sect is due to a commercial reason, since the sect can be great business for its leader.
Sects and freedom
When the State attempts to dismantle a sect (since it is considered violent, harmful or illegal), freedom of worship usually comes into conflict with the state's intention. The authorities must demonstrate that the practices of these people really constitute a crime or are dangerous.
In recent years, a great debate has arisen around Scientology, famous because it is followed and defended to the hilt by Hollywood figures such as actors Tom Cruise or John Travolta. For its defenders, it is a new religion while for its detractors it is a true sect. Those who criticize it highlight, among many other things, the fact that those who wish to be part of it must pay large sums of money to be able to access certain keys that will "give" them happiness.