Christianity Beliefs
More than two billion people globally adhere to the beliefs of Christianity, making it the largest religious population in the world and accounting for roughly one-third of the global population and three-quarters of the residents of the United States.
Most religions have one supreme being at the center of the faith, whether it is Buddha, Allah or God, but what makes Christianity beliefs so different is the role played by Jesus. Despite the global acceptance by Christians of Jesus as the son of God, there are roughly 38,000 Christian denominations around the globe, each with their own Christianity symbols, beliefs, customs and practices. The three most predominant types of Christianity are the Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant religions.
Roman Catholic
The basic principles of the Roman Catholic religion, the largest of the Christian denominations with over a billion adherents worldwide, are based on the teachings of the Bible, including the New and Old Testament as well as the Apocrypha and Canon law. In the Catholic religion salvation is possible through a life of faith, Christian works and adherence to the Church’s doctrines. The concept of heaven and hell is instilled in children at an early age, as well as the belief that purgatory exists to allow “common” sinners an eventual entrance into heaven.
Sin is an often confusing principle in the Catholic church, as there are three types of sin: original sin, mortal sin and venial sin. Everyone is born with original sin that is removed at the time of baptism. Mortal sin, which usually includes murder or other heinous crime, condemns the sinner straight to hell upon death without the option of purgatory unless proper confession and penance has been completed. Venial sin can also be removed through repentance, but allows the sinner to repent in purgatory if they die with sin on their soul.
Most Catholics participate in at least five of the seven distinct sacraments through their lives: baptism, communion, confession, confirmation and marriage. The sacrament of Holy Orders is performed by men becoming ordained into the church as a priest. The Anointing of the Sick, often called the Last Rites, is a sacrament performed by a priest on a person who is gravely ill just before death.
The Pope heads up the church’s hierarchy and is the one responsible for amending church doctrine. Unlike some other religions, the day-to-day rules of the Catholic religion often change over time to keep up with modern life. A series of Cardinals, Bishops and priests, all unmarried males, make up the remainder of the Church’s hierarchy. Unmarried females are eligible to become nuns who assist the priests with teaching and running the church.
Protestant
Various protestant denominations comprise roughly one-half million of the world’s Christians. This branch of Christianity includes many denominations that range from the ultra rigid, like the Amish, to more up-to-date liberal religions. Like the Roman Catholics, most Protestant religions follow the teachings of the Bible and many recognize at least a few of the seven sacraments, usually baptism and communion.
Most of the Protestant religions began when they split off from the Roman Catholic church during the 16th and 17th centuries. Some retain much of the tradition and ceremony of the Catholic church, while others reject its rules and doctrines. There are many other differences between Catholics and Protestants, including the Protestant belief that faith alone is enough to gain salvation and that church ministers may be men or women and single or married.
Some of the larger Protestant denominations include the Lutherans, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Evangelists, Baptists and Pentecostalists. There are also several Pentecostal denominations, including Assemblies of God and Pentecostal Oneness churches. Unlike other Protestant religions, Pentecostal beliefs include manifestations of the Holy Spirit in everyday life, often characterized by miraculous healing and speaking in tongues.
Eastern Orthodox
The Eastern Orthodox religion was borne in the 11th century when the Great Schism divided the church into Eastern and Western religions. The Eastern Orthodox religion is practiced mainly in Greece, Turkey, Russia and nearby regions, although pockets of followers can be found around the globe. The religion is simply called the Orthodox Church in the United States, but goes by several different names internationally, including Russian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox and the Church of Alexandria.
Although the religion is steeped in tradition and ceremony, much like the Roman Catholic church, the Eastern Orthodox church differs in its views on the Holy Spirit, the use of icons and Christianity pictures in its practice and the date on which Easter should be celebrated.
Christianity beliefs are as many and varied as the number and types of denominations practicing today, although there are threads of consistency throughout them. Those who believe that Jesus walked the earth and adhere to the teachings of the Bible should feel free to explore the different religious groups and find the one that suits their lifestyle and individual beliefs.