Ecclesia

Definition

Ecclesia is an official state religion that includes most members of a society and has a formal relationship with the government. In societies with an ecclesia, the religious leaders often hold significant power and influence over both religious and political matters.

Related terms

Sect:

A sect is a religious group that has broken away from an established church to form its own new group, often with distinctive beliefs or practices.

Denomination: A denomination is a recognized autonomous branch within a larger religion, often having its own unique doctrines, practices, and organizational structure but not as separate as a sect.

Cult:

In sociology, a cult is defined as a religious or social group with socially deviant or novel beliefs and practices, though this term can be contentious due to its negative connotations in popular use