Most sociologists, using a multidimensional church-sect typology, refer to
The Salvation Army as a sect. I use a single criterion, orientation toward
secular society, from which to reinterpret the Army's history, including th
e American experience. I review present official statements of theological
and social beliefs and survey a sample of Salvation Army officers to determ
ine their agreement with officially stated positions on the Bible, homosexu
ality, women and abortion. I compare their views with those of evangelical
seminarians and a GSS sample of conservative, moderate, and liberal Protest
ants and conclude that the Army is moving toward the church category while
retaining some sectarian traits. It is part of the network of American chur
ches, located in the margin between special purpose groups and recognized C
hristian denominations. Within the network of Christian denominations it li
es in the margin between mainline and evangelical denominations.