ROYAL COLLEGE OF THEOLOGY

AND ADMINISTRATION
BO CAMPUS

B.A. THEOLOGY
YEAR II

Sarian Sia Samai

Module: New Testament Theology

Assignment:
Question: Find six sects and write on them.

Lecturer
Rev. Dr. Kargbo.
Religious Sects
Definition of sect
A Sect is a religious group that is a smaller part of a larger group and whose members all share
similar beliefs; it is a religious or political group that is connected to a larger group but that has
beliefs that differ greatly from those of the main group.

Christian Denominations (Sects)

Divisions within Christianity, known as "denominations," number into the thousands by some
counts. Nearly all Christian denominations have their roots in the Reformation, when some
Christians began to question the Church's long-standing firm control over doctrine and practice.

For the first thousand years of Christianity, there were no denominations within Christianity as
there are today. Various offshoot groups certainly existed, but most were small and quickly
snuffed out as "heresies."

The first major division within Christendom came in 1054, with the Great Schism between the
Western Church and the Eastern Church. From that point forward, there were two large branches
of Christianity, which came to be known as the Catholic Church (in the West) and the
Orthodox Church (in the East).

The next major division was the Protestant Reformation, sparked in 1517 by Martin Luther's
publication of 95 Theses against certain Catholic practices. By 1529, German princes were
demanding the right to choose between Lutheranism and Catholicism in their territories. (These
demands were published in a document titled Protestation, giving the Protestant movement its
name.)

Meanwhile, "Reformed" Christianity developed in Switzerland based on the teachings of Ulrich

Zwingli and John Calvin. When it spread to Scotland under John Knox, the Reformed faith
became Presbyterianism. Switzerland was also the birthplace of the Anabaptists, spiritual
ancestors of today's Amish, Mennonites, Quakers, and Baptists.

Anglicanism was established in 1534 when England's King Henry VIII broke from the authority
of the Pope. Anglicanism is often regarded as a "Middle Way" between Catholicism and
Protestantism, while others categorize it as Protestant. Anglicanism became Episcopalianism in
the United States. Methodism, based on the teachings of John Wesley, also has its roots in
Anglicanism.

Denomination," considering themselves the only true form of Christianity, not one among many.
Sects in Islam
When many people hear or think of Islam what often comes to mind is a monolithic religion in which
people all practice and believe the same thing. But, just as Christianity and Buddhism are splintered into
different groups so is Islam.

The two major groups within the Islam are the Sunni and Shia the Sunni considered by many
the orthodox branch of Islam, making up the majority of practitioners in the world. The Shia
are concentrated in a handful of nations including Iraq and Iran.

Islam split into the two factions after the death of the Prophet Muhammad. The Sunni backed
a series of appointed caliphs as head of the faith the Shia believed a series of Imams descended
from the Prophet, were the true leaders of Islam. They get their name from one of those
descendants, Muhammads cousin and son-in-law Ali, considered the first Imam.

Sunni
The largest denomination in Islam is Sunni Islam, which makes up 75%90% of all Muslims and
is arguably the world's largest religious denomination. Sunni Muslims also go by the name Ahl
as-Sunnah which means "people of the tradition [of Muhammad]".

Sunnis believe that the first four caliphs were the rightful successors to Muhammad; since God
did not specify any particular leaders to succeed him and those leaders were elected. Sunnis
believe that anyone who is righteous and just could be a caliph but they have to act according to
the Quran and the Hadith, the example of Muhammad and give the people their rights.

The Sunnis follow the Quran and the Hadith, which are recorded in sunni traditions known as
Al-Kutub Al-Sittah (six major books). For legal matters derived from the Quran or the Hadith,
many follow four sunni madh'habs (schools of thought): Hanafi, Hanbali, Maliki and Shafi'i. All
four accept the validity of the others and a Muslim may choose any one that he or she finds
agreeable.[265] Ahl al-Hadith is a movement that deemphasized sources of jurisprudence outside
the quran and sunnah, such as informed opinion (ra'y).

The Salafi movement claim to take the first three generations of Muslims, known as the salaf, as
exemplary models.[266] In the 18th century, Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab led a salafi
movement, referred by outsiders as Wahhabism, in modern-day Saudi Arabia. The Deobandi
movement is a reformist movement originating in South Asia, influenced by the Wahhabi
movement.
-

Shia
The Shia constitute 1020% of Islam and are its second-largest branch.

While the Sunnis believe that a Caliph should be elected by the community, Shia's believe that
Muhammad appointed his son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib, as his successor and only certain
descendants of Ali could be Imams. As a result, they believe that Ali ibn Abi Talib was the first
Imam (leader), rejecting the legitimacy of the previous Muslim caliphs Abu Bakr, Uthman ibn al-
Affan and Umar ibn al-Khattab. Other points of contention include certain practices viewed as
innovating the religion, such as the mourning practice of tatbir, and the cursing of figures revered
by Sunnis. However, Jafar al-Sadiq himself disapproved of people who disapproved of his great
grandfather Abu Bakr and Zayd ibn Ali revered Abu Bakr and Umar. More recently, Ali
Khamenei and Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani condemned the practice.

Shia Islam has several branches, the most prominent being the Twelvers (the largest branch),
Zaidis and Ismailis. Different branches accept different descendants of Ali as Imams. After the
death of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq who is considered the sixth Imam by the Twelvers and the Ismaili's,
the Ismailis recognized his son Isma'il ibn Jafar as his successor whereas the Twelver Shia's
(Ithna Asheri) followed his other son Musa al-Kadhim as the seventh Imam. The Zaydis consider
Zayd ibn Ali, the uncle of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq, as their fifth Imam, and follow a different line of
succession after him. Other smaller groups include the Bohra as well as the Alawites and Alevi.
Some Shia branches label other Shia branches that do not agree with their doctrine as Ghulat.

There are also the Sufi to consider. The mystical branch of the faith, most Sufi believe you can find God
within yourself. But, Sufism, like the rest of Islam is hardly a monolith; there are a multitude of orders
and schools practicing today, including several that sprang up in the West.

Sufism
Sufism, or tasawwuf, is a mystical-ascetic approach to Islam that seeks to find a direct personal
experience of God. It is not a sect of Islam and its adherents belong to the various Muslim
denominations. Classical Sufi scholars have focused on the reparation of the heart and turning it
away from all else but God by making use of "intuitive and emotional faculties" that one must be
trained to use. Hasan al-Basri was inspired by the ideas of piety and condemnation of worldliness
preached by Muhammad and these ideas were later further developed by Al-Ghazali. Traditional
Sufis, such as Bayazid Bastami, Jalaluddin Rumi, Haji Bektash Veli, Junaid Baghdadi, and Al-
Ghazali, argued for Sufism being based upon the tenets of Islam and the teachings of
Muhammad. Sufi practices such as veneration of saints have faced stiff opposition from
followers of Salafism and Wahhabism, who have sometimes physically attacked Sufi places of
worship, leading to deterioration in SufiSalafi relations.
The Barelvi movement is a Sufi-influenced revivalist movement within Sunni Islam with over
200 million followers, largely in South Asia. Sufism enjoyed a strong revival in central Asia and
South Asia. Central Asia is considered to be a center of Sufism. Sufism has played a significant
role in fighting against Tsars of Russia and Soviet colonization. Here, Sufis and their different
orders are the main religious sources. Sufism is also strong in African countries such as Tunisia,
Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Chad and Niger.

Other denominations

Ahmadiyya is an Islamic reform movement (with Sunni roots) founded by Mirza Ghulam
Ahmad[287] that began in India in 1889 and is practiced by 10 to 20 million Muslims around the
world. Ahmad claimed to have fulfilled the prophecies concerning the arrival of the 'Imam Mahdi'
and the 'Promised Messiah'.

The Ibadi is a sect that dates back to the early days of Islam and is a branch of Kharijite and is
practiced by 1.45 million Muslims around the world. Unlike most Kharijite groups, Ibadism does
not regard sinful Muslims as unbelievers.

Mahdavia is an Islamic sect that believes in a 15th-century Mahdi, Muhammad Jaunpuri

The Quranists are Muslims who generally reject the Hadith.

Buddhism Sects
For nearly 500 years after his death, the Buddha's teachings were passed through generations of
the monastic community by oral tradition. In the late first century BCE they were first written
down in a collection known as the Pali Canon. Since then a variety of additional texts and
translations have appeared as a means for disseminating his ancient wisdom. Now in the 21st
century we have the benefit of a new medium; the Internet is a resource utilized by lay
practitioners and monastics alike for bringing the religion of Buddhism to the world.

During Buddhism's 2,500 year history, several thriving sects have emerged, each with a unique
take on the teachings of Buddha and daily practice. In this section i'll contrast the three dominant
strains of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, along with a fourth-Zen Buddhism-
that grew out of Mahayana and has gained increasing popularity in the West. I'll explore these
traditions' differing approaches to the dharma, their conduct of monastic practice, and the
geographic boundaries that define them.

o Theravada, the most ancient form of Buddhism, is the dominant school in

Southeast Asia (Thailand, Myanmar/Burma, Cambodia, and Laos). Its name
translates to "Doctrine of the Elders," and it centers around the Pali scriptures,
transcribed from the oral tradition taught by the Buddha. By studying these
ancient texts, meditating, and following the eightfold path, Theravada Buddhists
believe they will achieve Enlightenment. Strong emphasis is also placed on the
monastic community and on heeding the advice of the wise.

o Mahayana Buddhism developed out of the Theravada tradition roughly 500 years
after the Buddha attained Enlightenment. A number of individual schools and
traditions have formed under the banner of Mahayana, including Zen Buddhism,
Tibetan Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, and Tantric Buddhism. Mahayana
Buddhism focuses on the idea of compassion and touts bodhisattvas, which are
beings that work out of compassion to liberate other sentient beings from their
suffering, as central devotional figures.

o Vajrayana was last of the three ancient forms to develop, and provides a quicker
path to Enlightenment than either the Theravada or Mahayana schools. They
believe that the physical has an effect on the spiritual and that the spiritual, in
 turn, affects the physical. Vajrayana Buddhists encourage rituals, chanting, and
tantra techniques, along with a fundamental understanding of Theravada and
Mahayana schools, as the way to attain Enlightenment.

o Zen Buddhism is said to have originated in China with the teachings of the monk
Bodhidharma. Zen Buddhism treats zazen meditation and daily practice as
essential for attaining Enlightenment, and deemphasizes the rigorous study of
scripture.

Because Buddhism is a system based on practice and individual experience rather than on
theology or dogma, the different forms that have emerged differ less in what they believe
the Buddha's teachings to be than in how they believe Buddhism should be practiced in
daily life. Here are some Web sites that explain the history of the various movements and
ways to be involved in those sects, both online and off.

Shinto Sects

The thirteen sects which constitute Sect Shinto are broadly characterised by
the veneration of the founder, worship of the kami of traditional Shinto, and
an emphasis on piety and purity.

As 'state Shinto' began to develop its identity as a 'non-religious' official

state teaching in the late 1870's, existing religious movements which had a
distinctive body of doctrine or practice, which were not Buddhist, and which
appeared to support the broad aims of state Shinto teachings were
recognised as 'Shinto sects' and allowed to proselytise and practice on this
basis. Some of these movements had originated before the Meiji period as
independent and syncretistic new religious movements unconnected with
particular shrines. Others were former shrine-supporters' associations led by
national evangelists which split from their shrines as a result of the
government's interdiction on the teaching of doctrine by shrine priests.
The thirteen recognised Shinto sects were; Tenrikyo, Konkokyo, Kurozumikyo,
Fuso-kyo (which inlcuded Omoto-kyo), Izumo-oyashiro-kyo, Jikko-kyo, Misogi-
kyo, Shinshu-kyo, Shinto-shuseiha, Shinri-kyo, Shinto Taisei-kyo, Ontake-kyo
and Shinto Taikyo. Most of the movements classified as Shinto sects acquired
this status in the 1880's; some redefined themselves as independent
religious movements and distanced themselves from Shinto after religious
freedom was introduced in 1945.
Sikhism Sects
Sikhism is one of the most revered religions in the world today. Their basic principles of unity,
peace and simple living with high ideals appeals to many.

During his tours of spreading the message of one creator, Guru Nanak had travelled far and wide.
Over the years the sect broke into smaller communities and sects who chose different influences
of the ten Gurus. These sects have certain beliefs exactly similar to main stream Sikhism and
others that cause a difference in ideology every now and then.

Most of these sects preach the beliefs of Sikhism, but have chosen to stay away from the Amrit
initiation ceremony. There are others who do not claim to be offshoots of Sikhism, but readily
respect Gurbani and other Sikh scriptures. Lets read more about the seven major sects, believed
to have originated from main stream Sikhism.

7. 3HO / Happy Healthy Holy Organization

Yogi Bhajan was the creator of this esteemed organization. He originally belonged to the Sindh
district but moved to the US in 1960. He began by teaching Kundalini yoga, but soon found his
disciples ready to soak up the basic principle of keeping hair, wearing white, staying vegetarian,
living morally and converted to Sikhism.

6. Namdharis

The Namdharis strongly believe that the tenth Guru Gobind Singh lived upto the age of 146
years and then nominated Balak Singh of Hazro as his successor in 1812. They negate the theory
that the tenth guru had appointed the Guru Granth Sahib as his successor in 1708. They have
their one long line of gurus, who succeeded Balak Singh till 1872, when their last guru was
exiled by the British in 1872. They strongly believe that their leader will soon return. They are
strict vegetarians, animal activists and have strong views against caste system and practice of
dowry.

5. Nirankaris
The Nirankaris base their beliefs on the teachings of Baba Dyal who was patronized by the
Maharaja Ranjit Singh. They are against idol worship and believe in the one formless creator.
They have had several successors and give reverence only to Guru Nanak and not his legacy of
Gurus. They strictly preach abstinence from tobacco and alcohol and consign remains of the dead
to a flowing river.

4. Nirmalas

This sect is supposed to be as old as 1688 and was originated when Guru Gobind Singh sent his
handpicked followers to Benares and Paunta to learn Sanskrit. In 1705, more Sikh teachers were
sent to Allahabad and Varanasi to set up centers of learning for Sikhism. It has been seen over the
centuries that the teachings have drawn inspiration from Vedic philosophies and do not resemble
the main stream Sikhism, identically. They do not insist on Amrit initiation, but do keep their hair
uncut and live a monastic and studious life.

3. Radha Soamis

This spiritual movement has more than 2 million followers and was founded by Shiv Dayal
Singh Seth in 1869. They hold the Guru Granth Sahib in highest respect, but do not call
themselves as Sikhs. They have never claimed any lineage to any Guru, nor have they argued
with any of the tenets. They do not have any Amrit ceremony, are strict vegetarians, abstain from
all kinds of intoxication and live a peaceful life. Radha or soul they believe aspires to one day
attains divine reality or its lord the Soami.

2. Sindhi Sikhs

They originate from the region of Sindh, in Pakistan. They come from all kinds of backgrounds
and are great respecters of the Guru Granth Sahib and its Gurus. Guru Nanak is believed to have
travelled in their region and hence the great influence. They take part in all the festivities, but
dont necessarily go through the Amrit ceremony. For many centuries Sindhi families, initiate
their oldest son to be a Sikh

1. Udasi

The eldest son of Guru Nanak, Baba Siri Chand is supposed to be the originator of this sect. He
was a celibate and preached celibacy to all his followers, but maintained close ties with the
Gurus over the centuries. When the Khalsa were being persecuted by the Mughals, the udasis
were acting as caretakers of all the gurudwaras.