can anyone tell me the differences between Christian denominations?

[atari]

Im catholic, but I wasnt raised in a religious household.

Im totally clueless about most Protestant denominations especially, and If any would tell me the differences between them, or point me to a site that would help, that would be great. :-)

[Ptarmigan]

Protestants do not pray to Virgin Mary. I used to be Baptist. Also, they are into baptizing people, like Baptism.

[Izzy Dunne]

You might try this page at www.Religioustolerance.org

[Larry Lucido]

One difference between Catholics and Baptists is that Catholics greet each other at the liquor store.

[magdalena]

If you want to know the truth about not only the protestant denominations but true Catholicism, I recommend the website at traditio.com.
This website really opened my eyes to true Christianity, the kind practiced by the Fathers of the church. You'll be surprised to find out there that there is not much difference between post VaticanII Catholicism and protestantism.

[maine-iac7]

Perhaps the best way is to get information direct from the source of each one.

Definitely don't listen to anyone who talks AGAINST another church.

Go to the source - compare and go in the direction your own spirit, after prayer, directs you.

[bonfire]

oh.....this should be good....

[1stFreedom]

>>and If any would tell me the differences between them

Well, there are several categorizations of the different denominations.

Here is my best quick, unverified guess:

There are the "classical protestanism" denominations: Lutheran, Presbyterian, Weslyian, Anglicans, Baptists (who inaccurately claim to arise from an earlier movement)

These groups tend to echo certains aspects of the Catholic faith, but with the insertion of the theology of their founder(s). Most left what was known as Christianity around 500 years ago.

Then you have your "fundamentalist movement": Pentacostals, Evangelical Fundamentalists, non-denominational, bible-believing.

The oldest of these groups split from classic protestant churches about 200 years ago. Many of the "bible believing, non-denominational" churches are very young and while borrowing an incomplete Catholic bible and theolgoy, have largely been founded by independant people who form their own system of theology. To a large extent, they reject much of Catholic theology.

There are other groups (Orthodox, schismatic), but I don't have time to go further into detail.

[Luddite Patent Counsel]

Go to http://www.catholicapologetics.net, and follwing the "apologetics" link to "proetestants". They have excellent material there.

[1stFreedom]

>>and If any would tell me the differences between them

Well, there are several categorizations of the different denominations.

Here is my best quick, unverified guess:

There are the "classical protestanism" denominations: Lutheran, Presbyterian, Weslyian, Anglicans, Baptists (who inaccurately claim to arise from an earlier movement)

These groups tend to echo certains aspects of the Catholic faith, but with the insertion of the theology of their founder(s). Most left what was known as Christianity around 500 years ago.

Then you have your "fundamentalist movement": Pentacostals, Evangelical Fundamentalists, non-denominational, bible-believing.

The oldest of these groups split from classic protestant churches about 200 years ago. Many of the "bible believing, non-denominational" churches are very young and while borrowing an incomplete Catholic bible and theolgoy, have largely been founded by independant people who form their own system of theology. To a large extent, they reject much of Catholic theology.

There are other groups (Orthodox, schismatic), but I don't have time to go further into detail.

[kralcmot]

unfortunately, most recently one protestant denomination has decided to become political and they have chosen to embrace the Palestianian Terrorists. The Presbyterians began this campaign by announcing that they were going to divest in companies that supply arms to Israel. Not satisified with that move, they have recently sent a high level delegation to a meeting with the now deceased (is he really dead? does anyone know for sure?) Arafat. They expressed their sympathy and support for the PLA. This has caused a commotion within the church, but not the mass exodus that you would have hoped for.

[maestro]

can anyone tell me the differences between Christian denominations?

Those that are truly free to ring their church bells everyday and those that are not free to ring their church bells everyday.

ie. the same freedom idea between Roman Catholic churches and all of the 'other'....Non-Roman Catholic churches.

Merry Christmas......

[Luddite Patent Counsel]

Sorry. Some day, I'll always have the patience to spell-check. The link is http://www.catholicapologetics.net/

And I CAN spell "protestant", and even "follow"!

[SE Mom]

Oh my..what a topic:)

I'll go with something relatively simple. Protestants do not recognize a Pope or successor to Peter.

Each protestant denomination has it's own ways of determining how it interprets the Bible, and is free to do so.

Protestants are encouraged to freely read the Bible without instruction- although many find Bible Study classes in church to be helpful- they aren't necessary.

[Larry Lucido]

Okay, let's see if this helps.

How many Christians does it take to change a light bulb? Depends.

Charismatic: Only 1. Hands already in the air.

Pentecostal: 10. One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.

Presbyterian: None. Lights will go on and off at predestined times.

Roman Catholic: None. Candles only.

Baptist: At least 15. One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken.

Episcopalian: 3. One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks and one to talk about how much better the old one was.

Unitarian: ?. We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent,3-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.

Methodist: Undetermined. Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Church-wide lighting service is planned for Sunday. Bring bulb of your choice and a covered dish.

Nazarene: 6. One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy.

Lutheran: None. Lutherans don't believe in change.

Amish: What's a light bulb?

[1stFreedom]

"Classical Protestants" (CP) believe in varying theologies concerning the Eucharist. "Evangelical" (EF) churches belive it's all just symbolism.

Patristic Fathers

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CP give weight to teachings of the "patristic fathers" while EF don't care about them.

Virgin Mary:

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CP used to honor Mary to varying degrees (some dishonored her). EF view her simply as a woman who gave birth to Christ.

Sacraments:

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CP varies on how many sacraments there are. EF believe in very few, if any, sacraments.

Salvation

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CP varies on eternal salavation. EF tend to believe once saved always saved.

Communion of Saints:

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CP varies, EF rejects.

Apostolic Lineage:

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CP varies , EF rejects.

Hierarchy:

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Varies in CP, EF rejects.

Reasonableness:

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CP theologians open to reason and evidence, EF can't see past the theology of "bible alone" (an unbiblical idea).

[jigsaw]

LOL!

[mercy]

It's extremely complex and ranges from the Anglicans and Episcopals who worship much as in the Catholic church all the way to modern Holly Rollers who meet in store-front buildings, eschew so much as a steeple or anything shiny or purple on the alter ... even an alter or a pulpit. Some of em don't even have pastors or reverends.

The schisms of Protestantism began as soon as Luther nailed his treatise on the church door. Christians don't get along with each other or stay true to biblical doctrine any more than the world does. The disciples argued.

To understand the denominations .... the splits within denominations is to understand human bureaucracy. People horde power and don't get along with other people very well.

The main line denominations as in Lutheran, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, etc don't really differ all that much. Their churches may look a little different or their worship style may vary but they all adhere to the Nicene Creed.

The different ones are the Pentecostal or 'holy rollers'. They get very involved with what they think are the Gifts of the Spirit and play all sorts of games with healing and silly women passing out in church and laying about the isles. They also like to overdress, get weird hairdos and makeup and get on TV and beg for money so they can save the world through satellite TV.

The other weirdos are the cults who claim to be Christian but are not. These include Mormons and Jehovah's Witness. They have violated the Bible by adding to and subtracting from it and creating cults outside the bounds of Biblical Truth.

Of course this can be said of the Roman Catholic Church to a great extent as well. They adopted Pagan practices early on and corrupted the True Church.

Then we could get into the Black Churches. They mirror most of the schisms of white Protestant churches except they have rhythm.

[1stFreedom]

>>How many Christians does it take to change a light bulb? Depends.

Evangelical Fundamentalist: It's not in God's infallible word that we are to change the lightbulb.

[1stFreedom]

>>and corrupted the True Church.

LOL.... When exactly did this happen? Please give me a year.