Major Groups within Christianity

1. Orthodox Christianity

• Emphasis on ancient liturgical traditions.
• Central role of icons in worship.
• Authority based on the first seven ecumenical councils.
• Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, are essential for receiving divine grace.
• Pursue theosis (Union with God) as the ultimate spiritual goal.
• Dominant in Eastern Europe, Russia, and the Balkans.
• Saying: "Orthodox Christians don't just attend church, they bring the Saints with them."

2. Catholic Christianity

• Recognize the pope as the supreme authority.
• Uphold the importance of the seven sacraments.
• Venerate Saints and Mary.
• Consider both scripture and church tradition equally authoritative.
• Focus on the literal presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
• Dominant in Southern Europe, Latin America, and the Philippines.
• Saying: "When life gets tough, there's always a saint on speed dial."

3. Protestant Christianity

• Prioritize individual Bible interpretation.
• Believe salvation comes through faith alone (without works).
• Emerged from rejecting Catholic authority and practices.
• Favor simpler worship without hierarchical clergy.
• Widely practiced in North America, Northern Europe, and parts of Africa.
• Saying: "Protestant Christians read the Bible for themselves because who needs a middleman when you've got a direct line to God?"

4. Mormon Christianity

• Believe in ongoing revelation through modern prophets.
• Regard The Book of Mormon as additional scripture.
• See themselves as a restoration of original Christianity.
• Sacred Temple ceremonies focus on eternal families.
• Primarily centered in the United States (Utah) with growing communities in Latin America and Africa.
• Saying: "Mormon Christians believe in family forever because eternity is a long time to get the in-laws to like you."

5. Unitarian Christianity

• Oppose the belief in the Trinity, emphasizing God's Oneness.
• Promote individual Bible reading and translation.
• Support liberal theology and social justice.
• Can be found in Central Europe and parts of America (including Canada).
• Saying: "Unitarian Christians believe God is one, just like their decision to be open-minded about almost everything."

6. Martian Christianity

• Believed in a strict separation between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament.
• Rejected the Old Testament entirely.
• Followed a revised New Testament, emphasizing spiritual knowledge.
• Teachings were condemned as heretical.
• Mainly found in the Eastern Roman Empire before fading.
• Saying: "Martian Christians believed in trimming the Bible, but it looks like the Bible trimmed them instead."

7. Quaker Christianity

• Emphasize the Inner Light within each person.
• Practice silent, unstructured worship without clergy.
• Commit to pacifism, equality, and simplicity in worship and lifestyle.
• Most commonly found in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Kenya.
• Saying: "Quaker Christians don't just sit quietly; they're busy making the world a better place one peaceful minute at a time."

Conclusion

• Reflection: Which group best represents your faith?
• Reminder to leave a comment and subscribe.