The sect and the state: Some representations in conflict

Les groupements sectaires partagent generalement une representation demonisee de la societe seculiere en y referant comme etant le monde. Cette representation religieuse est suffisamment negative pour qu'on veuille rompre avec ses valeurs. En revanche, la definition accordee a la secte par les agents etatiques emane egalement d'une representation. Seculiere, elle apprehende la secte a partir de criteres de dangerosite en tentant de l'evincer de la sphere du religieux. Nous postulons que le conflit pouvant emaner de ces deux representations peut etre resolu par l'adoption, chez les intervenants, de l'approche comprehensive. Sectarian groups often share a demonized representation of secular society, referring to it as the World. This religious representation is negative enough for members to reject secular values. Yet, the definition of cults by state officials also derives from a representation. From this secular viewpoint, the sect is defined as dangerous and is perceived as an undesirable aspect of the religious landscape. We argue that conflicts that may result from these two representations may be resolved by having social workers adopt a comprehensive approach.