Identify and explain three reasons why memberships of sects may be short lived

1. It is hard to maintain commitment and fervour.

Finding those with enough commitment is hard to maintain especially after the 1st generation. This means a sect will either fade away or modify its beliefs to accommodate society.

2. The loss of charismatic leaders can lead to short lived sects.

Sects which are founded by single charismatic leaders lose members when they die. This is because they affect members so lose support and disappear once the leader dies. 

3. Religious diversity in postmodern societies.

Postmodern societies are fragmented which means peoples beliefs are purely personal. People can "pick and mix" different sects switch between them as they chose. These sects can be short lived as consumer tastes change. This is called spiritual shopping.