Ma`rifat Adyan

The present study aims to accurately explain the concepts of "cult" and "sect" and their theoretical and practical distinctions from a sociological and legal perspective, analyzing the structural and functional characteristics of these two phenomena and their role in the formation of policies and governance approaches. This study uses a descriptive-analytical approach to explore historical and contemporary definitions. The findings show that "cult" in modern literature often has a negative value and refers to movements with charismatic leadership, strict control over the thoughts and behavior of followers, isolationism, a pyramidal structure, the use of psychological and propaganda techniques, and the potential for violence. In contrast, "sect" is a subset of an official religion that originates from a separation from the main teachings, but usually coexists peacefully with society and the ruling system and enjoys social legitimacy. Comparative analysis shows that "cult" is targeted by security and judicial interventions due to its anti-normative and threatening behaviors, while "sect" is interpreted within the framework of intra-religious diversity. This research concludes that a scientific and impartial understanding of these two categories and careful use of terminology play a fundamental role in cultural and legal policies and the analysis of political systems' approaches to emerging movements.