TBA “A cult is just a religion that I don't like. » “All religions are sects.” “Religion is only the search for truth.” We may have heard someone use one of these three statements to explain worship and religion. But are these claims accurate? Although sect and religion share certain characteristics, they are distinguished by their leadership, the degree of authority over their members, and the rigidity of their boundaries. Many people use the term “fanatic” as a synonym for “cult leader.” Cult leaders are charismatic individuals who claim to possess unparalleled wisdom. They usually claim to be gods or special messengers of God. They can claim to have been born with perfection rather than imperfection. They may claim to have special abilities that other humans do not have. When they aspire to more power or use violence to make their point, they turn into “holy terrorists” (Porterfield 7). Many cult leaders believe that they and their actions are sacred, making them above the law. They may resort to violent coercion in an attempt to maintain the obedience of their followers (Porterfield 8). Additionally, cultists are expected to be in loyal and unquestioning submission to their leaders. Their lives are completely controlled by their cult leader. Everything from what each member eats to who each member marries and, it is sometimes said, is left in the hands of the leader. Restrictions may even be imposed on the number of children allowed per family. Some cultists are given instructions on how every second of their lives should be spent, and the cultists oblige. Cults attempt to destroy individuality and independent thinking, wanting to control the thoughts and emotions of each follower. Members of a sect may even suffer punishment for simply displaying... middle of paper ...... or for going to the place of worship itself which makes a religion sectarian, but rather for the way things are instilled. .What does this mean for all professed religions engaging in fierce religious wars? Isn't this cult behavior? Indeed, it is. The physical oppression of non-conformists to impose ideologies on them is a sectarian trait. Yet, as mentioned previously, a sect can have even two sectarian traits without being a sect. For any new group that forms, the question will be asked: is it a cult or is it a religion? Both groups offer their members some measure of security and belonging. They both attract people with common interests. Yet the strength of their power over individuals is clearly what sets them apart. As sociologist Benjamin Zablocki says: “People adhere to religion, but people become addicted to cults” (Goode).