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There is no official recognition in most parts of the world for religious bodies, and there is no official clearinghouse which could determine the status or respectability of religious bodies. Often there is considerable disagreement between various churches about whether other churches should be labeled with pejorative terms such as "cult", or about whether this or that group enjoys some measure of respectability. Such considerations often vary from place to place, where one religious group may enjoy majority status in one region, but be widely regarded as a "dangerous cult" in another part of the world. Inclusion on this list does not indicate any judgment about the size, importance, or character of a group or its members.
There is no official recognition in most parts of the world for religious bodies, and there is no official clearinghouse which could determine the status or respectability of religious bodies. Often there is considerable disagreement between various churches about whether other churches should be labeled with pejorative terms such as "cult", or about whether this or that group enjoys some measure of respectability. Such considerations often vary from place to place, where one religious group may enjoy majority status in one region, but be widely regarded as a "dangerous cult" in another part of the world. Inclusion on this list does not indicate any judgment about the size, importance, or character of a group or its members.


⚫
===Catholic Church===
⚫
== Catholicism==
{{main|Catholicism}}

These are the churches which claim continuity (based upon [[Apostolic Succession]]) with the early Church.

⚫
===Catholic Church ===
{{main|Catholic Church}}
{{main|Catholic Church}}
⚫
{{see also|Catholicism}}
⚫
These are the churches which claim continuity (based upon [[Apostolic Succession]]) with the early Church. The Catholic Church is composed of 23 Rites: the Western or [[Latin Rite]] and the 22 [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Eastern Rites]] (i.e., Eastern Catholic Churches).


⚫
====Latin Church====
⚫
The Catholic Church is composed of 23 Rites: the Western or [[Latin Rite]] and the 22 [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Eastern Rites]] (i.e., Eastern Catholic Churches).

⚫
====The Latin Church====
{{Main|Latin Church}}
{{Main|Latin Church}}
The Latin Church (not to be confused with the [[Roman Rite]], which is one of the [[Latin liturgical rites]], not a particular Church) is the largest and most widely known of the 23 [[Particular Church#Autonomous particular Churches or Rites|''sui iuris'' Churches]] that together make up the [[Catholic Church]].
The Latin Church (not to be confused with the [[Roman Rite]], which is one of the [[Latin liturgical rites]], not a particular Church) is the largest and most widely known of the 23 [[Particular Church#Autonomous particular Churches or Rites|''sui iuris'' Churches]] that together make up the [[Catholic Church]].


====Eastern Catholic Churches ====
====Eastern Catholic Church====
{{main|Eastern Catholic Churches}}
{{main|Eastern Catholic Churches}}


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The Catholic Church considers itself the [[one true faith|One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church]] that [[Christ]] founded.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070629_responsa-quaestiones_en.html| title=Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine on the Church| publisher=[[Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith]]}}</ref> As such, the Catholic Church does not consider itself a denomination, but as pre-denominational, the original Church of Christ.
The Catholic Church considers itself the [[one true faith|One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church]] that [[Christ]] founded.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070629_responsa-quaestiones_en.html| title=Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine on the Church| publisher=[[Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith]]}}</ref> As such, the Catholic Church does not consider itself a denomination, but as pre-denominational, the original Church of Christ.


===Other churches===
===Other Churches===
====Independent (self-identified as Catholic)====
====Independent Catholic Church====
{{see also|Sedevacantism}}
{{see also|Sedevacantism}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
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{{Div col end}}


==Eastern Orthodox==
==Eastern Orthodox Church==
{{main|Eastern Orthodox Church}}
{{main|Eastern Orthodox Church}}
{{see also|Eastern Orthodox Church organization|Eastern Orthodox Christian theology}}
{{see also|Eastern Orthodox Church organization|Eastern Orthodox Christian theology}}
List provided in order of precedence. Indentation indicates [[autonomy]] rather than [[autocephaly]].
List provided in order of precedence. Indentation indicates [[autonomy]] rather than [[autocephaly]].

⚫
===Eastern Orthodox Church ===
{{main|Eastern Orthodox Church}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
*[[Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople]]
*[[Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople]]
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The Eastern Orthodox Church considers itself to be the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.
The Eastern Orthodox Church considers itself to be the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.


===Other churches===
===Other Churches===
Some Orthodox Churches with not universally recognized autocephaly by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople:
Some Orthodox Churches with not universally recognized autocephaly by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople:
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
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{{Div col end}}


==Oriental Orthodoxy==
==Oriental Orthodox Church==
{{main|Oriental Orthodoxy}}
{{main|Oriental Orthodoxy}}
Oriental Orthodoxy comprises those Christians who did not accept the [[Council of Chalcedon]] (AD 451). Other denominations often erroneously label these churches "[[Monophysite]]", however, as the Oriental Orthodox do not adhere to the teachings of [[Eutyches]], they themselves reject this label, preferring the term [[Miaphysite]].
Oriental Orthodoxy comprises those Christians who did not accept the [[Council of Chalcedon]] (AD 451). Other denominations often erroneously label these churches "[[Monophysite]]", however, as the Oriental Orthodox do not adhere to the teachings of [[Eutyches]], they themselves reject this label, preferring the term [[Miaphysite]].
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The Church of the East considers itself to be the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.
The Church of the East considers itself to be the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.


==Other early Christians==
==Other Early Christians==
*[[Adamites]]
*[[Adamites]]
*[[Christian Gnosticism]]
*[[Christian Gnosticism]]
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*[[Ebionites]]
*[[Ebionites]]


==Protestant Church==
==Protestantism==
{{main|Protestantism|Protestant Reformation}}
{{main|Protestantism|Protestant Reformation}}
{{see also|Protestantism by country}}
{{see also|Protestantism by country}}
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[[Image:Protestant branches.svg|thumb|center|700px|Diagram showing major branches and movements within Protestantism]]
[[Image:Protestant branches.svg|thumb|center|700px|Diagram showing major branches and movements within Protestantism]]


===Pre-Lutheran Protestants===
===Pre-Lutheran Protestant Churches===
*[[Hussites]]
*[[Hussites]]
**[[Moravian Church]]
**[[Moravian Church]]
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*[[Waldensian Evangelical Church]]
*[[Waldensian Evangelical Church]]


===Lutheranism===
===Lutheran Church===
{{main|List of Lutheran denominations}}
{{main|List of Lutheran denominations}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


===Anglicanism===
===Anglican Church===
{{main|Anglicanism}}
{{main|Anglicanism}}
⚫
{{see also|Anglican Communion}}

====Anglican Communion====
⚫
{{main|Anglican Communion}}
[[Anglicanism]] has referred to itself as the [[via media]] between Catholicism and Protestantism. It considers itself to be both [[Catholic]] and [[Reformed]]. Although the use of the term "Protestant" to refer to Anglicans was once common, it is controversial today, with some rejecting the label and others accepting it.
[[Anglicanism]] has referred to itself as the [[via media]] between Catholicism and Protestantism. It considers itself to be both [[Catholic]] and [[Reformed]]. Although the use of the term "Protestant" to refer to Anglicans was once common, it is controversial today, with some rejecting the label and others accepting it.


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The Anglican Communion also includes the following [[United and uniting churches|united churches]]:
The Anglican Church also includes the following [[United and uniting churches|united churches]]:
*[[Church of Bangladesh]]
*[[Church of Bangladesh]]
*[[Church of North India]]
*[[Church of North India]]
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*[[Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church]]
*[[Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church]]


The Anglican Communion considers itself to be part of the One Holy catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded, without the implication that various other churches are not also branches of it.
The Anglican Church considers itself to be part of the One Holy catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded, without the implication that various other churches are not also branches of it.


====Other Anglican Churches====
====Other Anglican Churches====
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}



===Calvinism===
⚫
====Reformed Church====
⚫
{{main|Calvinism|List of Reformed denominations}}
====Continental Reformed churches====
{{main|Continental Reformed church}}
{{main|Continental Reformed church}}
⚫
{{see also|Calvinism|List of Reformed denominations}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
*[[Afrikaans Protestant Church]]
*[[Afrikaans Protestant Church]]
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


====Presbyterianism====
====Presbyterian Church====
{{main|Presbyterianism}}
{{main|Presbyterianism}}
{{see also|List of Presbyterian denominations in North America}}
{{see also|List of Presbyterian denominations in North America}}
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


====Congregational Church====
==== Congregationalist Churches ====
{{main|Congregational Church}}
{{main|Congregational Church}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
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{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


===Anabaptists===
===Anabaptist Church===
{{main|Anabaptists}}
{{main|Anabaptists}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


===Brethren===
===Brethren Church===
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
*[[Church of the United Brethren in Christ]]
*[[Church of the United Brethren in Christ]]
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


===Methodists===
===Methodist Church===
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
*[[African Methodist Episcopal Church]]
*[[African Methodist Episcopal Church]]
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*[[Christian Methodist Episcopal Church]]
*[[Christian Methodist Episcopal Church]]
*[[Congregational Methodist Church]]
*[[Congregational Methodist Church]]
⚫
*Evangelical Church of America
*[[Evangelical Church of the Dominican Republic]]
*[[Evangelical Church of the Dominican Republic]]
*[[Evangelical Methodist Church]]
*[[Evangelical Methodist Church]]
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


===Pietists and Holiness Churches===
===Pietist/Holiness Church===
{{main|Pietism|Holiness movement}}
{{main|Pietism|Holiness movement}}
{{see also|Higher Life movement|Holiness Tabernacles|Third Great Awakening}}
{{see also|Higher Life movement|Holiness Tabernacles|Third Great Awakening}}
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


===Baptists===
===Baptist Church===
{{main|Baptists}}
{{main|Baptists}}
{{see also|Baptist beliefs|List of Baptist confessions|List of Baptist sub-denominations}}
{{see also|Baptist beliefs|List of Baptist confessions|List of Baptist sub-denominations}}
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


====Spiritual Baptists====
====Spiritual Baptist Church====
Note: The Spiritual Baptist Archdiocese of New York, Inc has [[Congregationalist polity|congregationalist]] affiliations for the purpose of cooperation, in which each local church is governmentally independent.
Note: The Spiritual Baptist Archdiocese of New York, Inc has [[Congregationalist polity|congregationalist]] affiliations for the purpose of cooperation, in which each local church is governmentally independent.


*[[Spiritual Baptist]]
*[[Spiritual Baptist]]


===Apostolic Churches – Irvingites===
===Apostolic Church (Irvingites)===
*[[Catholic Apostolic Church]]
*[[Catholic Apostolic Church]]
**[[New Apostolic Church]]
**[[New Apostolic Church]]
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**[[Restored Apostolic Mission Church]]
**[[Restored Apostolic Mission Church]]


===Trinitarian Pentecostal Church===
===Pentecostalism===
{{main|Pentecostalism}}
{{main|Pentecostalism}}
{{see also|List of Christian denominations#Oneness Pentecostalism}}
{{see also|List of Christian denominations#Oneness Pentecostalism}}
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


===Charismatics===
===Charismatic Church===
{{main|Charismatic movement}}
{{main|Charismatic movement}}
{{see also|Catholic Charismatic Renewal}}
{{see also|Catholic Charismatic Renewal}}
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Christ Resurrection Gospel Glory Church,Nigeria
Christ Resurrection Gospel Glory Church,Nigeria


====Neo-Charismatic Churches====
====Neo-Charismatic Church====
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
*[[Bible Christian Mission]]
*[[Bible Christian Mission]]
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*[[New Life Fellowship Association]]
*[[New Life Fellowship Association]]
*[[True Jesus Church]]
*[[True Jesus Church]]
*[[Believers' Church in India]]
{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


===African Initiated Churches===
===African Initiated Church===
{{Main|African Initiated Church}}
{{Main|African Initiated Church}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
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*[[Zion Christian Church]]
*[[Zion Christian Church]]
{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}

===Messianic Judaism / Jewish Christians===
===Judaic Church/Messianic Synagogue===
{{main|Messianic Judaism}}
{{main|Messianic Judaism}}
{{see also|Messianic Movement|Messianic Jewish theology}}
{{see also|Messianic Movement|Messianic Jewish theology}}
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*[[International Messianic Jewish Alliance]]
*[[International Messianic Jewish Alliance]]
{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}

===United and uniting churches===
===United/Uniting Church===
{{Main|United and uniting churches}}
{{Main|United and uniting churches}}
Churches which are the result of a merger between distinct denominational churches. Churches are listed here when their disparate heritage marks them as inappropriately listed in the particular categories above.
Churches which are the result of a merger between distinct denominational churches. Churches are listed here when their disparate heritage marks them as inappropriately listed in the particular categories above.
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*[[Ireland Yearly Meeting]]
*[[Ireland Yearly Meeting]]
*[[New Foundation Fellowship]]
*[[New Foundation Fellowship]]
*[[Peace Churches]]
{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


===Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement===
===Restoration Movement Church===
{{main|Restoration Movement}}
{{main|Restoration Movement}}
{{see also|Christian primitivism|Second Great Awakening}}
{{see also|Christian primitivism|Second Great Awakening}}
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*[[Evangelical Christian Church in Canada]] (Christian Disciples)
*[[Evangelical Christian Church in Canada]] (Christian Disciples)


===Southcottites===
===Southcottite Church===
*[[Christian Israelite Church]]
*[[Christian Israelite Church]]
*[[House of David (commune)]]
*[[House of David (commune)]]
*[[Panacea Society]]
*[[Panacea Society]]


====Sabbatharian Church (Saturday Adventist)====
===Millerites and comparable groups===
{{see also|List of Christian denominations#Bible Student groups}}

====Sabbath-Keeping churches, Adventist====
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
*[[Adventist Church of Promise]]
*[[Adventist Church of Promise]]
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


====Sabbath-Keeping churches, Non-Adventist====
====Sabbatharian Church (Non-Seventh Day Adventist)====
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
*[[The Christ's Assembly]]
*[[The Christ's Assembly]]
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


====Sunday Adventists====
====Sabbatharian Church (Sunday Adventist)====
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
*[[Advent Christian Church]]
*[[Advent Christian Church]]
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


====Sacred Name Groups====
====Sacred Name Church====
{{Main|Sacred Name Movement}}
{{Main|Sacred Name Movement}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


===British-Israelism===
===British Israel Church===
{{main|British Israelism}}
{{main|British Israelism}}
* [[Armstrongism]]
* [[Armstrongism]]
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* [[The Revival Fellowship]]
* [[The Revival Fellowship]]


===Christian Identity===
===Christian Identity Church===
{{Main|Christian Identity}}
{{Main|Christian Identity}}
* [[Church of Jesus Christ-Christian]] ([[Aryan Nations]])
* [[Church of Jesus Christ-Christian]] ([[Aryan Nations]])
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* [[The Covenant, The Sword, and the Arm of the Lord]]
* [[The Covenant, The Sword, and the Arm of the Lord]]


===Miscellaneous/Other===
===Other Trinitarian Churches===
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
⚫
*[[Evangelical Covenant Church of America]]
*[[Associated Gospel Churches]] of Canada (AGC)
*[[Believers' Church in India]]
*[[Evangelical Free Church of America]]
*[[Church of Christ, Instrumental]] (Kelleyites)
*[[Two by Twos|Christian Conventions]] (a.k.a. ''Two by Twos'', ''The Truth'', ''The Way'', etc.)
*[[Cooneyites]] (not to be confused with ''Christian Conventions'', above)
⚫
*[[Evangelical Church of West Africa]]
*[[Evangelical Covenant Church of America]] ("Swedish Evangelical Mission Covenant")
*[[Evangelical Free Church of Canada]]
*[[Evangelical Free Church of Canada]]
*[[Evangelical Free Church of America]]
*[[Family International]] a.k.a. "The Family International", "Family of Love", "The Family"
*[[Fellowship of Fundamental Bible Churches]]
*[[Fellowship of Fundamental Bible Churches]]
*[[Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches]]
*[[Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches]]
⚫
*[[Great Commission Association]] (Great Commission Church)
*[[Grace Movement]] Churches
⚫
*[[Evangelical Church of West Africa]]
⚫
*[[Great Commission Association]]
⚫
*[[Metropolitan Community Church]]
*[[Indian Shakers]]
*[[Jesus Movement]]
*[[Family International]]
*[[Methernitha]]
⚫
*[[Metropolitan Community Church]]es
*[[Newfrontiers|New Frontiers]] (formerly New Frontiers International)
*[[Schwenkfelder Church]]
*[[Strigolniki]]
⚫
*[[Universal Life]]
⚫
*[[Yehowists]] (aka Yehowists-Ilyinites, Russian Jehovists
{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


==Non-Trinitarian Churches==
==Nontrinitarian groups==
{{main|Nontrinitarianism}}
{{main|Nontrinitarianism}}
Christians who do not believe in the traditional hypothesis of a Triune God ("one God in three co-equal Persons")
Christians who do not believe in the traditional hypothesis of a Triune God ("one God in three co-equal Persons")


===Latter Day Saints===
===Latter Day Saints Church===
{{main|Latter Day Saint movement|Mormonism}}
{{main|Latter Day Saint movement|Mormonism}}
{{see also|List of sects in the Latter Day Saint movement}}
{{see also|List of sects in the Latter Day Saint movement}}
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*[[Restoration Church of Jesus Christ]]
*[[Restoration Church of Jesus Christ]]


===Oneness Pentecostalism===
===Oneness Pentecostal Church===
{{main|Oneness Pentecostalism}}
{{main|Oneness Pentecostalism}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


===Unitarian/Universalist Church===
===Unitarianism and Universalism===
{{main|Unitarianism|Christian Universalism}}
{{main|Unitarianism|Christian Universalism}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
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*[[Unitarian Universalist Association]]
*[[Unitarian Universalist Association]]
*[[Unitarian Universalist Society of Spain]]
*[[Unitarian Universalist Society of Spain]]
⚫
*[[Universal Life]]
*[[Unitarisk Kirkesamfund]]
*[[Unitarisk Kirkesamfund]]
*[[Socinianism]] (extinct as a modern and distinct group)
*[[Socinianism]] (extinct as a modern and distinct group)
Line 1,101: Line 1,078:
{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


===Bible Student groups===
===Jehovah's Witness Church===
{{main|Bible Student movement}}
{{main|Bible Student movement}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


===Swedenborgianism===
===Swedenborgian Church===
{{main|The New Church}}
{{main|The New Church}}
*[[General Church of the New Jerusalem]]
*[[General Church of the New Jerusalem]]
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*[[Swedenborgian Church of North America]]
*[[Swedenborgian Church of North America]]


===Christian Science===
===Christian Science Church===
{{main|Christian Science}}
{{main|Christian Science}}
*[[Church of Christ, Scientist]]
*[[Church of Christ, Scientist]]


===Other non-Trinitarians===
===Other Non-Trinitarian Churches===
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
*[[Arian Catholic Church]]
*[[Arianism]]
*[[Christadelphians]]
*[[Christadelphians]]
*[http://churchofapathy.org Church of Apathy]
*[[Church of God (Seventh-Day)]]
*[[Church of God (Seventh-Day)]]
*[[Church of God (7th Day)]]
*[[Church of the Blessed Hope]]
*[[Church of the Blessed Hope]]
*[[Doukhobors]] ("Spirit-Wrestlers")
*[[Doukhobors]]
*[[Iglesia ni Cristo]] (Church of Christ)
*[[Jediism]] (Church of the Jedi)
*[[Molokans]]
*[[Kerait]] (split with Nestorian Church during the reign of [[Gregory (Nestorian Patriarch)]])
*[[Makuya]]
*[[Molokans]] (began with 16th century Protestants from 11th century partial Kerait reunion with Nestorian Church)
*[[Members Church of God International]]
*[[Members Church of God International]]
*[[Most Holy Church of God in Christ Jesus]]
*[[Most Holy Church of God in Christ Jesus]]
*[[Subbotniks]] (split from Molokan Faith)
*[[Two by Twos]] ("Christian Conventions")
*[[Unification Church]]
*[[Unification Church]]
*[[Universal Alliance]]
*[[The Way International]]
*[[The Way International]]
⚫
*[[Yehowists]] (Russian Jehovists)

{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


==New Thought ==
==New Thought Church==
{{main|New Thought}}
{{main|New Thought}}
The relation of New Thought to Christianity is sometimes murky spiritually; some of its adherents see themselves as practising a true form of Christianity, while adherents of [[Religious Science]] says "yes and no" to the question of whether they consider themselves to be Christian in belief and practice, leaving it up to the individual to define oneself spiritually.
The relation of New Thought to Christianity is sometimes murky spiritually; some of its adherents see themselves as practising a true form of Christianity, while adherents of [[Religious Science]] says "yes and no" to the question of whether they consider themselves to be Christian in belief and practice, leaving it up to the individual to define oneself spiritually.
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


==Esoteric Christianity==
==Esoteric Church==
{{main|Esoteric Christianity|Western esotericism}}
{{main|Esoteric Christianity|Western esotericism}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
{{Div col|cols=2}}
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{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


==Syncretistic religions incorporating elements of Christianity==
==Syncretistic religions (Incorporating Some Elements of Christianity)==
{{See also|Afro-American religion}}
{{See also|Afro-American religion}}
The relation of these movements to other Christian ideas can be remote. They are listed here because they include some elements of Christian practice or beliefs, within religious contexts which may be only loosely characterized as Christian.
The relation of these movements to other Christian ideas can be remote. They are listed here because they include some elements of Christian practice or beliefs, within religious contexts which may be only loosely characterized as Christian.
Line 1,185: Line 1,157:
{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


==See also==
==See Also Section==
{{portal|Christianity}}
{{portal|Christianity}}
* [[Denominationalism]]
* [[Denominationalism]]
Line 1,195: Line 1,167:
* [[Timeline of Christianity]]
* [[Timeline of Christianity]]


== References ==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


Revision as of 09:45, 7 July 2013

A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity. Some groups included do not consider themselves a denomination (e.g., the Catholic Church considers itself the one true church and the Apostolic See, and as pre-denominational).[1] Some groups viewed by non-adherents as denominational actively resist being called a denomination and do not have any formal denominational structure, authority, or record-keeping beyond the local congregation; several groups within Restoration Movement fall into this category.

Some groups are large (e.g. Catholics, Orthodox, Lutherans, Anglicans or Baptists), while others are just a few small churches, and in most cases the relative size is not evident in this list. Modern movements such as Fundamentalist Christianity, Pietism, Evangelicalism, Pentecostalism and the Holiness movement sometimes cross denominational lines, or in some cases create new denominations out of two or more continuing groups, (as is the case for many United and uniting churches, for example). Such subtleties and complexities are not clearly depicted here.

Major divisions within Christianity.
Major divisions within Christianity.

Note: This is not a complete list, but aims to provide a comprehensible overview of the diversity among denominations of Christianity. As there are reported to be approximately 41,000 Christian denominations,[2] many of which cannot be verified to be significant, only those denominations with Wikipedia articles will be listed in order to ensure that all entries on this list are notable and verifiable.

Between denominations, theologians, and comparative religionists there are considerable disagreements about which groups can be properly called Christian, disagreements arising primarily from doctrinal differences between groups. For the purpose of simplicity, this list is intended to reflect the self-understanding of each denomination. Explanations of different opinions concerning their status as Christian denominations can be found at their respective articles.

There is no official recognition in most parts of the world for religious bodies, and there is no official clearinghouse which could determine the status or respectability of religious bodies. Often there is considerable disagreement between various churches about whether other churches should be labeled with pejorative terms such as "cult", or about whether this or that group enjoys some measure of respectability. Such considerations often vary from place to place, where one religious group may enjoy majority status in one region, but be widely regarded as a "dangerous cult" in another part of the world. Inclusion on this list does not indicate any judgment about the size, importance, or character of a group or its members.

Catholic Church

Main article: Catholic Church
See also: Catholicism

These are the churches which claim continuity (based upon Apostolic Succession) with the early Church. The Catholic Church is composed of 23 Rites: the Western or Latin Rite and the 22 Eastern Rites (i.e., Eastern Catholic Churches).

Latin Church

Main article: Latin Church

The Latin Church (not to be confused with the Roman Rite, which is one of the Latin liturgical rites, not a particular Church) is the largest and most widely known of the 23 sui iuris Churches that together make up the Catholic Church.

Eastern Catholic Church

Main article: Eastern Catholic Churches

All of the following are Particular Churches of the Catholic Church. They are all in communion with the Bishop of Rome and acknowledge his claim of universal jurisdiction and authority. They have some minor distinct theological emphases and expressions (for instance, in the case of those that are of Greek/Byzantine tradition, concerning some non-doctrinal aspects of the Latin view of Purgatory).[3] The Eastern Catholic churches and the Latin church (which together compose the worldwide Catholic Church) share the same doctrine and sacraments, and thus the same faith.

The Catholic Church considers itself the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.[4] As such, the Catholic Church does not consider itself a denomination, but as pre-denominational, the original Church of Christ.

Other Churches

Independent Catholic Church

See also: Sedevacantism

Eastern Orthodox Church

Main article: Eastern Orthodox Church
See also: Eastern Orthodox Church organization and Eastern Orthodox Christian theology

List provided in order of precedence. Indentation indicates autonomy rather than autocephaly.

The Eastern Orthodox Church considers itself to be the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.

Other Churches

Some Orthodox Churches with not universally recognized autocephaly by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople:

Oriental Orthodox Church

Main article: Oriental Orthodoxy

Oriental Orthodoxy comprises those Christians who did not accept the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451). Other denominations often erroneously label these churches "Monophysite", however, as the Oriental Orthodox do not adhere to the teachings of Eutyches, they themselves reject this label, preferring the term Miaphysite.

The Oriental Orthodox Church considers itself to be the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.

Church of the East

The Church of the East is said to have been formed by St Thomas. The Church did not attend the Council of Ephesus (AD 431). It is incorrectly referred to as the Nestorian Church; Assyrian Christians do not any longer consider themselves Nestorians, and recent Christological agreements with the Catholic and some of the Orthodox churches have resolved this debate permanently, clearing the way for ecumenical relations.

The Church of the East considers itself to be the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.

Other Early Christians

Protestant Church

Main articles: Protestantism and Protestant Reformation
See also: Protestantism by country

These are the churches "which repudiated the papal authority, and separated or were severed from the Roman communion in the Reformation of the 16th century and of any of the bodies of Christians descended from them."[5]

Diagram showing major branches and movements within Protestantism

Pre-Lutheran Protestant Churches

Lutheran Church

Main article: List of Lutheran denominations

Anglican Church

Main article: Anglicanism
See also: Anglican Communion

Anglicanism has referred to itself as the via media between Catholicism and Protestantism. It considers itself to be both Catholic and Reformed. Although the use of the term "Protestant" to refer to Anglicans was once common, it is controversial today, with some rejecting the label and others accepting it.

The Anglican Church also includes the following united churches:

The Anglican Church considers itself to be part of the One Holy catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded, without the implication that various other churches are not also branches of it.

Other Anglican Churches


Reformed Church

Main article: Continental Reformed church
See also: Calvinism and List of Reformed denominations

Presbyterian Church

Main article: Presbyterianism
See also: List of Presbyterian denominations in North America

Congregational Church

Main article: Congregational Church

Anabaptist Church

Main article: Anabaptists

Brethren Church

Methodist Church

Pietist/Holiness Church

Main articles: Pietism and Holiness movement
See also: Higher Life movement, Holiness Tabernacles, and Third Great Awakening

Baptist Church

Main article: Baptists
See also: Baptist beliefs, List of Baptist confessions, and List of Baptist sub-denominations

Note: All Baptist associations are congregationalist affiliations for the purpose of cooperation, in which each local church is governmentally independent. The most prominent Baptist organizations in the United States are the American Baptist Association, tending to be more liberal, the National Baptist Convention, tending to be more moderate and the Southern Baptist Convention, tending to be more conservative.

Spiritual Baptist Church

Note: The Spiritual Baptist Archdiocese of New York, Inc has congregationalist affiliations for the purpose of cooperation, in which each local church is governmentally independent.

Apostolic Church (Irvingites)

Trinitarian Pentecostal Church

Main article: Pentecostalism
See also: List of Christian denominations § Oneness Pentecostalism

Charismatic Church

Main article: Charismatic movement
See also: Catholic Charismatic Renewal

Christ Resurrection Gospel Glory Church,Nigeria

Neo-Charismatic Church

African Initiated Church

Main article: African Initiated Church

Judaic Church/Messianic Synagogue

Main article: Messianic Judaism
See also: Messianic Movement and Messianic Jewish theology

United/Uniting Church

Main article: United and uniting churches

Churches which are the result of a merger between distinct denominational churches. Churches are listed here when their disparate heritage marks them as inappropriately listed in the particular categories above.

Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

Main article: Religious Society of Friends

The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), is considered historically to be a Protestant Christian denomination. It has gone through a small number of doctrinal schisms in its history as a Christian church. Today, the Society exists as several distinct and separate Quaker branches, and it also has an emphasis on Christian belief which ranges from evangelical to liberal.

Restoration Movement Church

Main article: Restoration Movement
See also: Christian primitivism and Second Great Awakening

Southcottite Church

Sabbatharian Church (Saturday Adventist)

Sabbatharian Church (Non-Seventh Day Adventist)

Sabbatharian Church (Sunday Adventist)

Sacred Name Church

Main article: Sacred Name Movement

British Israel Church

Main article: British Israelism

Christian Identity Church

Main article: Christian Identity

Other Trinitarian Churches

Non-Trinitarian Churches

Main article: Nontrinitarianism

Christians who do not believe in the traditional hypothesis of a Triune God ("one God in three co-equal Persons")

Latter Day Saints Church

Main articles: Latter Day Saint movement and Mormonism
See also: List of sects in the Latter Day Saint movement

Most Latter Day Saint denominations are derived from the Church of Christ established by Joseph Smith in 1830. The largest worldwide denomination, and the one publicly recognized as Mormonism, is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, although there are various sects that broke from it after its relocation to the Rocky Mountains in the mid-1800s. Several of these broke away over the abandonment of practicing plural marriage in 1890. Most of the "Prairie Saint" denominations (see below) were established after Smith's death by the remnants of the Latter Day Saints who did not go west with Brigham Young. Many of these opposed some of the 1840s theological developments in favor of 1830s theological understandings and practices. Other denominations are defined by either a belief in Joseph Smith as a prophet or acceptance of the Book of Mormon as scripture. Mormonism is generally considered restorationist, believing that Smith, as prophet, seer, and revelator, restored the original Church of Christ to the earth. Some Latter Day Saint denominations are regarded by other Christians as being nontrinitarian or even non-Christian, but Latter Day Saints generally do not accept that label themselves. Mormons see themselves as believing in a form of the Trinity (although English-speaking Latter-day Saints use the word Godhead interchangeably to refer to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost)[6] but they do not accept certain trinitarian definitions in the post-apostolic creeds, such as the Athanasian Creed.

Original denomination
"Prairie Saint" denominations
  • Community of Christ - formerly called the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (RLDS)
Rocky Mountain denominations
Other denominations

Oneness Pentecostal Church

Main article: Oneness Pentecostalism

Unitarian/Universalist Church

Main articles: Unitarianism and Christian Universalism

Jehovah's Witness Church

Main article: Bible Student movement

Swedenborgian Church

Main article: The New Church

Christian Science Church

Main article: Christian Science

Other Non-Trinitarian Churches

New Thought Church

Main article: New Thought

The relation of New Thought to Christianity is sometimes murky spiritually; some of its adherents see themselves as practising a true form of Christianity, while adherents of Religious Science says "yes and no" to the question of whether they consider themselves to be Christian in belief and practice, leaving it up to the individual to define oneself spiritually.

Esoteric Church

Main articles: Esoteric Christianity and Western esotericism

Syncretistic religions (Incorporating Some Elements of Christianity)

See also: Afro-American religion

The relation of these movements to other Christian ideas can be remote. They are listed here because they include some elements of Christian practice or beliefs, within religious contexts which may be only loosely characterized as Christian.

See Also Section

References

  1. ^ "Dominus Iesus". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
  2. ^ Appendix B: Methodology for Estimating Christian Movements, "Global Christianity: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World's Christian Population", The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, December 19, 2011. "The figures on Christian movements in this report were commissioned by the Pew Forum from the Center for the Study of Global Christianity (CSGC) at Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Mass. CSGC researchers generated their estimates based in large part on figures provided by Christian denominations and organizations around the world. CSGC has obtained denominational membership information from about 41,000 organizations worldwide."
  3. ^ Anthony Dragani, From East to West
  4. ^ "Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine on the Church". Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
  5. ^ "Protestant, I.2.a" Oxford English Dictionary
  6. ^ "Articles of Faith, no. 1".
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