cult / sect
Loading your saved state.
cult / sect
A religious or ideological community that has split off from a larger, established belief system. The term is often associated with negative connotations such as strict control of members and radical views.
Er hat den Kontakt zu seiner Familie abgebrochen, nachdem er einer zweifelhaften Sekte beigetreten war.
He cut off contact with his family after joining a dubious cult.
In German, the word 'Sekte' (cult/sect) almost always has a strongly negative meaning. It is used for groups that are considered manipulative, extreme, or dangerous.
Die Dokumentation zeigte, wie die Anführer der Sekte ihre Mitglieder kontrollierten.
The documentary showed how the leaders of the cult controlled their members.
Common verbs used in connection with 'Sekte' (cult/sect) are 'einer Sekte beitreten' (to join a cult), 'einer Sekte angehören' (to belong to a cult), or 'aus einer Sekte aussteigen' (to leave a cult).
Es war für sie ein langer und schwieriger Prozess, aus der Sekte auszusteigen.
For her, it was a long and difficult process to leave the cult.
To reinforce the negative association, 'Sekte' (cult/sect) is often combined with adjectives such as 'gefährlich' (dangerous), 'radikal' (radical), or 'dubios' (dubious).
Er schloss sich einer radikalen Sekte an, die den Kontakt zur Außenwelt ablehnte.
He joined a radical cult that rejected contact with the outside world.
church
'die Kirche' and 'die Sekte' can both mean religious communities, but they have a very different tone. 'Die Kirche' usually means a large, well-known Christian organization, for example the Protestant or Catholic Church. 'Die Sekte' means a smaller group that has split off from a larger belief system. The word often has a negative meaning because people associate it with strong control or radical views. The words can be confused because both refer to religious groups. However, you should use 'Sekte' carefully because it can quickly sound derogatory.
In der Schule lernen wir, warum manche Menschen Angst vor einer Sekte haben.
At school, we learn why some people are afraid of a cult.
Die Kirche organisiert in der Stadt eine Hilfe für arme Familien.
The church is organizing help for poor families in the city.