18:1 The numerous religious organizations that exist in the United States can be categorized along a continuum which places churches at one end of the spectrum and sects at the other. A church is a body or organization of religious believers who, according to Ernst Troeltsch, are integrated into the larger society. A sect, on the other hand, is more limited in scope and stands apart from the larger society. Well-established churches tend to attract people of high social standing, while in general sects attract disadvantaged people who may consider themselves outsiders.
Religious sects such as the Amish, Quakers, Jehovah=s Witnesses and Coptic Christians are examples of Christian sectarians who may be considered religious dissenters. Sects are organized along less formal lines than churches and generally stress the personal spirit of God whereas churches are formal in organization and religion is more intellectualized. Church ministers and priests are formally trained and ordained. In contrast, sects look for leaders who tend to be guided by divine inspiration rather than formal doctrine and belief, and who can infuse their followers with intense emotional experiences based on personal charisma.
Another difference between churches and sects is the way in which each maintains and recruits new members. Sects, more than churches, actively proselytize or recruit new membership, and also rate personal conversion very high.
18:3 In the United States and throughout the world, religious affiliation is strongly associated with social class, race and ethnicity. Part of the reason for this is that people tend to want to be with people who are like them. Sociological research has established that religious affiliation is related to other familiar social patterns as well. High, moderate and low social standing and subsequent religious affiliation are largely determined by the cultural as well as the economic and familial backgro...