Peter Berger sees the continuing vitality of sects as evidence of a secular society. He argues that belief in the supernatural only survive in a sectarian form in a secular society. In order to maintain a strong religious belief and commitment, individuals must cut themselves off from the secularizing influences of the wider society, and seek out the support of others of like mind.
The sect, with its close- knit community organization, provides a context where this is possible. From this viewpoint, the sect is the last refuge of the supernatural in a secular society. Sects are therefore evidence of secularization. Sects the therefore the last outpost of religion in societies where religious beliefs and values have little consequence