subsect
Division within division
A subsect is a smaller division within a religious sect or ideological group—a sect within a sect.
The term appears in discussions of religious fragmentation, where denominations splinter into factions that splinter further: The movement divided into subsects that disagreed on doctrinal points.
The word parallels subgroup or subdivision.
Named religious group
- factionGroup within group
- schismFormal organizational fracture
- offshootDerivative outgrowth
- splinterThin sharp fragment
heresy · cult · branch · breakaway · dissenter · separatist · fundamentalist · orthodox
Group within group
- cliqueExclusive social group
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
- caucusParty selection meeting
- circleCurved closed shape
guild · league · alliance · bloc · fraternity · brotherhood · fellowship · coterie
denomination
Named religious group
splinter · heresy · cult · branch · breakaway · dissenter · separatist · fundamentalist · orthodox · reform
faction
Group within group
circle · guild · league · alliance · bloc · fraternity · brotherhood · fellowship · coterie · splinter-group
subsectmother church
Principal church of diocese
orthodoxy · established church · umbrella organization · communion · world religion