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you evidently didn't read what I said -- there are 20,000 (the number varies, but may be creeping up to 30,000) different denominations, but, as I said I agreed that the 20,000 odd groups do not imply 20,000 different sets of core beliefs, adding that baptists -- there are about 50 odd baptist groups around the country, but I would guess there are no more than 3 or 4 different theological groups.

Also, there is no longer such a thing as "Protestantism" -- the Protestant groups are the Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians/Reformed and Methodists

All other groups have split from these and are in varying stages of being Christian like the Assemblies of God, to not being Christian like Jehovah's Witnesses etc. -- as I pointed out, there are Christian and non-Christians groups who either club themselves under the "P" or "E" term or are derived from it -- as the aforementioned Seventh Day Adventists (Satan as Jesus' brother, Jesus as Archangel Michael, etc) and Oneness Pentecostals (rejection of the Trinity etc) and your groups etc. -- there is disagreement on the fundamental nature of God, hence the dogmas are utterly distinct, so cannot be clubbed under one "P" or even "E" term

Even amongthe Adventists, etc. there are various denominations - some divided on dogma, most on region etc. -- so the 20,000 number still holds as the number of denominations under the wide non-orthodoxy umbrella, but the number of different groups based on core dogma seems to be just about 2 to 3 dozen imho.

you evidently didn't read what I said -- there are 20,000 (the number varies, but may be creeping up to 30,000) different denominations, but, as I said I agreed that the 20,000 odd groups do not imply 20,000 different sets of core beliefs, adding that baptists -- there are about 50 odd baptist groups around the country, but I would guess there are no more than 3 or 4 different theological groups.

Also, there is no longer such a thing as "Protestantism" -- the Protestant groups are the Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians/Reformed and Methodists

All other groups have split from these and are in varying stages of being Christian like the Assemblies of God, to not being Christian like Jehovah's Witnesses etc. -- as I pointed out, there are Christian and non-Christians groups who either club themselves under the "P" or "E" term or are derived from it -- as the aforementioned Seventh Day Adventists (Satan as Jesus' brother, Jesus as Archangel Michael, etc) and Oneness Pentecostals (rejection of the Trinity etc) and your groups etc. -- there is disagreement on the fundamental nature of God, hence the dogmas are utterly distinct, so cannot be clubbed under one "P" or even "E" term

Even amongthe Adventists, etc. there are various denominations - some divided on dogma, most on region etc. -- so the 20,000 number still holds as the number of denominations under the wide non-orthodoxy umbrella, but the number of different groups based on core dogma seems to be just about 2 to 3 dozen imho.

boatbums: Why did the council at Trent then decide it needed to make ANOTHER "infallible" pronouncement on the canon

For the simple reason that just as you are doubting various books of the Bible, in the 1500s the various reformations (first, second, third etc) led to wholescale doubts of the entire canon by various groups including unitarians, etc.

But that was for Protestants -- for varying groups, Christian and non-Christian such as yours, Seventh Day Adventists, Mormons, etc. that's now your prerogative to toss out as many books as you want to

you are jumping ahead by saying "Though I know your intent is..." -- stick to the points above and in that, all of your points against the Deuterocanonicals fail as the same holds true against the Book of the Apocalypse

Let's review what you said: I don't get that sense when I read from the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical books. There is no light of God that I feel when reading them, no spiritual connection. to which I replied Really? Not from Maccabbees? I see God working there, protecting the Jews against overwhelming odds

and you said : The Apostles of Jesus Christ gave their approval of these books as they were composed and circulated throughout the different local churches to which I pointed out that not for the book of Apocalypse

And then you said Most all of these local churches, with very few exceptions, received these letters and I pointed out again, not for the book of Apocalypse

and again you said Lastly, because they speak to the heart of every believer as if the Holy Spirit was right there leading and guiding us through them.

and I pointed out -- that is subjective -- and the same can be said of the "Shepherd of Hermes"

sorry, but without the councils in which The Holy Spirit worked through the attendees, there is no reason for keeping the book of Apocalypse in and the Shepherd of Hermes out.

All of your points fail when brought against the Book of the Apocalypse.

I have a lot of issues with the book of the Apocalypse, but it has been agreed in council under the Holy Spirit and we accept it, just as we accept the teaching of the nature of Christ's Godhood and the nature of God.

Re-inventing the wheel by tossing out what has been discussed before led to the revival of Arianism (Jehovah's Witnesses) etc