Catholics are as well. There are many varieties. They may still call themselves Catholics, but there are liberal Catholics, conservative Catholics, feminist Catholics, Charismatic Catholics, Tridentine Mass Catholics, etc.,
As far as continuously being in a state of fragmentation - that is NOT a basic and elementary fact, though you would like it to be. Some denominations are quite stable. Yes, they have variety within; but the Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, & Lutherans (and others), have existed since at least the 1700s, many quite earlier.
Dear Blogger,
In the Catholic Church, heretics come and go.
However, the difference in the Catholic Church is that there is an actual living Magisterium that can define just what is orthodox, what is heterodox, what is heresy, and what is uncertain in any event.
Protestants claim that the Bible is their Magisterium, and that's nice. But whose interpretation is the actual one is the question. There are folks who call themselves "Bible Christians" who can fairly well recite the Nicene Creed without cringing too much, and there are folks who have no problem throwing over part or all of the same Creed, in defiance of the Ecumenical Councils.
For those herein who would recite the Nicene Creed, but refuse to Mary the title "Mother of God," yet regard as beyond the Pale those who would deny, say, the Trinity, why is that you folks get to throw out Ecumenical Councils but the anti-Trinitarians don't?
On any given topic, one can approximately determine the official teaching of the Catholic Church, and determine whether some belief stated or held is: 1) in agreement with the official teaching; 2) in disagreement with the official teaching; 3) a little too fuzzily-defined to tell or; 4) determine that the official teaching is one of liberty of belief (at least within certain parameters). There is a standard against which to judge whether or not a belief is Catholic.
On the other hand, there are folks who call themselves Christians, who say they believe in the Bible, who do not even believe in the Trinity. They quote the Bible to make their arguments. Under what authority do you dispute them, other than to make your own arguments from the very same Bible?
sitetest
That's not how it works among Protestants, since there are as many interpretations as there ae members, and since there is no concensus that must be followed.
So, your comparison is invalid, imo.
As far as continuously being in a state of fragmentation - that is NOT a basic and elementary fact, though you would like it to be. Some denominations are quite stable
True, but the number of splinter groups is growing without any sign of slowing down. There are currently over 33,000 registered "denominations" outside of the Catholic, Orthodox, and mainstream Protestant Churches, and growing.
Yes, they have variety within; but the Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, & Lutherans (and others), have existed since at least the 1700s, many quite earlier
Most of them were actually 19th century offshoots. The original ones are Lutheranism, Anglicanism and Calvinism. Anglican Church, which was founded by Henry VIII, was essentially Catholic (except for recognizing the Pope as the head of the Church) until Lutheranism, when it accepted certain Protestant beliefs.
Catholic and Orthodox teachings go back to the earliest days of Christianity and follow the same path for the first 1,000 years as an undivided Church. Orthodox Divine Liturgy is 1,600 years old. What's your point?
They are still Catholic so long as they believe, or failing a perfect belief, struggle to comprehend that docrines of the Faith as expressed in the Catechism. There are no denominations in the Church.