What Are the Different Christian Religions?
Christianity is the world's largest religion and is made up of many different sects or denominations. While these sects have very different modes of worship and governing bodies, they all share the common belief that Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament books of the Holy Bible was God's son and came to redeem man of his sins.
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Background/Basic Beliefs
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Christianity was founded in Palestine in 33 A.D. According to Religion Facts, there are 2 billion people who call themselves Christians. There are Christians living in all parts of the world, but the largest concentrations are in North and South America and Europe. Most Christians believe in one God that exists as a Trinity -- God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit. Christians believe in the deity of Christ. The sacred text is the Holy Bible consisting of the Old Testament books, also known as the Jewish Bible and the New Testament books, which include the four Gospel narratives of Jesus' life, the acts of the apostles after Jesus' death, the apostle Paul's letters to the early church and the book of Revelation, which is considered apocalyptic. Views differ among various Christians as to how much authority to give to the scriptures.
Early Christianity
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During the first 1,000 years of Christianity, there were no denominations or sects. All Christians belonged to the one "universal, holy catholic church." Any church besides the catholic church was considered heresy. After several centuries, the church began to develop a more hierarchical system of government, which eventually led to the major sects we know today as Roman Catholicism, Orthodoxy and Protestantism.
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Roman Catholicism
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The largest Christian group is Roman Catholicism. There are over 1 billion Roman Catholics and they constitute about half of the world's Christians. While Roman Catholics are in agreement with other Christians regarding the divinity of Christ, the inspiration of the Bible and so on, they hold to some other beliefs that are distinct from other Christian traditions. The Pope, who lives outside Rome in Vatican City, is regarded as the leader of the church and saints are believed to be able to intercede on behalf of believers. Roman Catholic doctrine teaches that there an afterlife concept of Purgatory as a place of afterlife purification before entering Heaven. Catholics also believe in the doctrine of transubstantiation, which means that the bread used in the Eucharist (or Holy Communion) becomes the true body of Christ when blessed by a priest. Catholic priests and nuns also take vows of celibacy. Catholic services tend to be very formal and ritualistic.
Orhtodox Christianity
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There are two branches of Orthodox Christianity -- Eastern and Oriental. According to the World Council of Churches, the two groups are not in communion with each other at this time. The Eastern Orthodox Church arose as a branch of Christianity after the 11th century division between Eastern and Western Christendom. Today's churches are mostly located in Greece (Greek Orthodox Church) and Russia (Russian Orthodox Church). There are a number of practicing Orthodox Christians in other Eastern European countries, however, and worldwide, there are approximately 300 million adherents. Baptism is by full immersion and in contrast to Roman Catholic and Protestant churches, the focus is more on the experience of truth and the divine, pre-existent nature of Christ rather than the humanity of Christ. Oriental Orthodox Churches consist of the Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Syriac and Indian Orthodox churches. Each of these churches traces its origins to the apostolic missions of the first century that were united with Rome and Byzantium in a common profession of faith until the fifth century when the Council of Chalcedon proclaimed Christ to have two distinct natures -- human and divine. Oriental Orthodoxy believes Christ is at once human and divine.
Mainstream Protestant Christianity
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Protestantism is a general branch of Christianity made up of many denominations and a wide theological range from conservative to liberal. Protestantism began during the 16th century Reformation, which marked a move away from the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope. Some major Protestant denominations are Anglican (Church of England), Episcopal (the North American branch of the Church of England), Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist and Baptist. Smaller bodies include Quakers, Congregationalists, Mennonites and Brethren, among others. Some Protestant denominations, such as Anglican and Lutheran, tend to still use the liturgy and tradition of the Catholic Church while others, such as Baptists and Presbyterians, use little of these traditions. Protestant churches reject the authority of the Pope and put their faith in the Bible and early doctrines. Clergy may marry and some Protestant churches ordain women, while others do not.
Other Branches of Christianity
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There are a number of other Christian denominations that are considered by most people to be protestant, but the churches themselves are not always receptive to being called protestant. These include the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), the Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science and various Pentecostal churches such as Assembly of God, Church of God and Holiness. In addition to the Bible, Mormons follow the Book of Mormon and believe in actively proselytizing. Jehovah's Witnesses also believe in active proselytizing and do not celebrate birthdays or holidays. Christian Scientists teach that humans only think sickness and evil exist. The various Pentecostal denominations may speak in tongues and tend to put a greater emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
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