posted
I have a story in which four people have different beliefs from the established religion (but not the inclination to spread them, at least not yet). Trouble is, I called them a "sect", but I have this sinking feeling that a sect implies a whole lot of people than just four.
Is that feeling accurate, and if it is, can anybody think of a proper way to call them?
The setting is Aztec, so too-modern vocabulary is out.
posted
A sect can be four people, sure. It could probably be only two people, as that should be enough to qualify as a group. You could also use "faction" or "band" I suppose. But sect is all right by me. It's probably the most accurate word, really.
Yet sect has a growing negative connotation these days, especially in the media, but don't let that stop you from using it.
posted
Well, I wasn't planning on using it in a positive way, since those four happen to be the antagonists Posts: 1075 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thinking further about it, what does this sect call itself? For you could use that instead of sect, and it would likely not mean sect at all, I'd think...
Posts: 1520 | Registered: Jun 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
For me, the word "sect" has primarily Christian connotations. I doubt the strict definition makes such a distinction, and I don't know how many people would agree with me. Could you use "dissidents," or the earlier suggestion of "faction"?
I'm interested in your story already. It's always been my understanding that the Aztec culture had zero tolerance for defiance, and working within that restriction will take a delicate touch.
posted
Webster's definition of sect: 1 a : a dissenting or schismatic religious body; especially : one regarded as extreme or heretical b : a religious denomination
I never thought sect was limited to Christianity. There are various branches in Islam and Buddhist religions, and undoubtedly more faiths, and sect applies to each of these separate bodies.
The word sect applies in your case. If there are even two people who have the same beliefs, they can legitimately call themselves a church.
[This message has been edited by Ray (edited May 17, 2006).]
posted
My gut tells me that a sect is a smaller group within a larger one --- like a section. One that isolates or distinguishes itself from the larger group for whatever reason. I am supposing it doesn't have to be used that way though.
For instance Christianity is not a 'sect' but Catholicism, Anglicanism and Methodism are. HOWEVER you can have a 'sect' within Catholicism or within Anglicanism etc etc ad nauseum until you get down to as small a group as two people, I suppose. So if your group have broken away from a larger one, then you're fine but if they have started originetd something, then you're not okay.
BUT, it sounds like you are talking more about a 'cabal', which, more or less, means a secret group with hidden motivations that meets clandestinely to advance their plans. It comes from the word 'qabbalah' so has a quasi-religious or quasi-illuminati ring to it.
[This message has been edited by hoptoad (edited May 18, 2006).]
posted
Who exactly calls them a "sect" in your story?
It might be appropriate for them to call themselves a "sect" if they believe it will grow or think a lot of people are already de facto members but don't know it yet.
They definitely wouldn't call themselves a "cabal." That's just silly. Someone else might, though.
Whose voice are you using when you call them a "sect?"
posted
Thanks everyone! I'm not really keen on calling them a cabal, though it does fit what they are doing. I don't know, this sounds weird to me in an Aztec contest (and reminds me a little too much of Christianity).
trousercuit, the people who call them "a sect" are the people who oppose them. And at the point in the story when the word first appears, the opponents don't know the name of the sect. They just know that they're members of a dissident group.
posted
Yes, if you're wondering... I totally missed the Aztec reference.
If it is a dissident group operating within another and causing problems, wouldn't the larger group consider them more a seditious conspiracy rather than an emerging 'sect? Sect lends a sense of legitimacy to the movement, an impression, I think, the established group try to avoid giving.
Now back to writing my new book, Being an Idiot for Dummies
What word would you use in French?
[This message has been edited by hoptoad (edited May 18, 2006).]
posted
I have no idea what word I'd use in French, more's the pity (I have an excellent French-English dictionary. Maybe if I try Spanish )...
Kickle, I don't think they're separatists, per se. My fault, I haven't been clear enough. Basically, they're four people who worship a particular god, and work in secret to summon monsters into the city. I suppose hoptoad's "cabal" is the closest to it, except for the strong Judeo-Christian overtones of that word.
posted
If they are antagonists, "cult" could work for a group of four. I think of a sect as a group large enough or serious enough that the main body has to acknowledge them. They could also be a brotherhood.
Posts: 334 | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Cabal is good as long as there is a perception that these people have some kind of exclusive group and are keeping secrets. Even if they don't keep the membership of their group secret, if they appear to be doing something in secret the term could be applied.
If they are more open in their dissenting views, and simply happen to agree with each other, then it would make more sense to simply refer to them as "X" heritics/dissenters, with "X" being the key feature of their disagreement with the mainstream.
If they are not associating with each other and aren't open about their disagreement with the mainstream, then I don't see how anyone else would know about them, or even how any of them would know about the others. In that case they wouldn't be called anything.
posted
I think the key here is the voice. Their opponents might call them a "cult" or a "cabal" because of the negative overtones; they probably wouldn't call them a "sect".
but it seems to me that they're most likely to call them something less formal and precise.
"Ixylotxyslox! The cultish sect has sent their army of evil robot monkeys to destroy us!"
vs
"Ixylotxyslox! Those freakin' nutjobs have sent their army of evil robot monkeys to destroy us!"
posted
Mum, but the sect isn't attacking, so everybody is staying reasonable (at least at the start ) Afterwards we may get into "nutjob" category...
Posts: 1075 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm glad you're all taking my lessons about plotting to heart. (Hey! Plotting within plotting! That's deep.) I'm especially glad to see the name "Ixylotxyslox" as it adds a little mystery to the story.
Posts: 453 | Registered: Feb 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Isn't "secret society" too big? I get this picture of lots and lots of people secretly meeting in shabby inns... Posts: 1075 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'd stick with "cabal". "Faction" is possible but, like sect, might imply a larger number. "Cabal" definnitely implies a small, secretive group with its own agenda.
Posts: 1469 | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Together Everyone Abandons Me. Okay, so I'm not a team player. But, as the above expansion of the acronym explains, that's not my fault.
Posts: 8322 | Registered: Aug 1999
| IP: Logged |
Whatever. But in Silver3's story, the religion is magical (that is, it involves the use of ritual to summon and even compel supernatural entities). So "coven" is a perfect word for a small group cut off from the mainstream.
Printer-friendly view of this topic
)...
