[Tantumergo]

The figure for the number of Protestant denominations (in the US) is actually in excess of 38,000. It is published accurately and updated each year by some independent people who I understand you all love very much over there.

I believe they are known as the IRS, and the figures are listed in the IRS Survey. The last figures were published just a few weeks ago.

I will grant you, however, that they are probably not the best qualified to determine theologically what exactly constitutes a denomination.

These figures will always be high because of the practice of some Baptists of valuing the absolute independence of every local congregation.

As for the author of this article claiming there are 200+ "Catholic denominations" he clearly has no understanding of Catholicism. If you are in communion with the Pope then you are at least nominally a Catholic - if you are not then you are not.

There can be no "Catholic denominations" because the Catholic Church does not recognise any denominations as Catholic. She cannot be defined, limited, or de-limited by any outside her pale, because no-one outside her pale has been given the authority by God to do so.

[SoothingDave]

The figure for the number of Protestant denominations (in the US) is actually in excess of 38,000. It is published accurately and updated each year by some independent people who I understand you all love very much over there.

You're forgetting the ever-popular "home church" people who think a tax-exemption is the mar kof the beast. So the number must be even higher. ;-)

SD

[broadsword]

Let's say there are only 500 contradictory Protestant denominations. How about only three? All contradicting each other except in their unified hatred/jelousy of the Church's authority, and ALL exactly RIGHT. That's unity and good sense for you.

Ok, guys. Nobody's stopping you from walking away from Peter and the Church. Jesus asked the apostles if they were going to leave, too. Peter said, "no," for all of them. Judas changed his own mind later. He probably had a "good" reason, too. He probably had a good YOPIOS that trumped them all.

[HarleyD]

You may wish to relay your findings to David A. Barrett; New York: Oxford University Press and not to this author. Mr. Barrett may even agree with you and revise his next World Christian Encyclopedia.