!!!Sekten

Sects (Latin "secta" = direction, school, party, and Latin 
"sequi" = to follow), eclesiastic and lay term for special 
religious communities whose doctrines, practice and organisational 
structures differ from those of larger religious groups. Often 
dominated by the personality of the founder or a special doctrine. The 
formation of sects can be observed throughout the history of 
Christianity (Gnostic sects, Cathari, Waldensians, Baptists and 
others) and other religions. The term "sect" does not exist 
in the Austrian law governing the relations between the state and 
religious communities. For the church, one criterion for judging 
special religious groups is whether or not they take part in the 
ecumenical dialogue.

!Literature
Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Pastoralaemter Oesterr. (ed.), 
Sekten und religioese Sondergemeinschaften in Oesterreich (work file), 
1978ff.; H. Gaspar et al. (eds.), Lexikon der Sekten, 
Sondergruppen und Weltanschauungen, %%sup 2/%1990.


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