It also provides specific guidelines for witnessing to people in cults and sects. Most secular experts rely primarily on sociological, psychological, or behavioral factors and usually do not consider doctrinal or theological issues when evaluating specific religious movements. Christian discernment ministries, however, normally begin with a careful examination of a group's stated doctrinal beliefs before considering other significant factors. They usually agree that the following are common characteristics of movements designated cults or sects. The Christian Science church also often refers to itself as a Christian movement.
All cults deny or redefine any or all essential Christian doctrines.
Jehovah's Witnesses, for instance, absolutely deny the deity of Jesus Christ. The LDS redefines the Trinity to mean the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost as three separate personages or gods. Sects may adhere officially to essential Christian teachings while exhibiting other of these characteristics. The International Church of Christ, for example, adheres to traditional views about God and Christ, but members regard their movement as the only one proclaiming the true message of salvation today. Cults and sects usually claim to be led by divinely inspired leaders.