Protestantism & The Reformation

In the 16th century, a new denomination of Christianity was formed and spread quickly throughout Europe. Many cultural, religious, and political factors caused the split of the Christian Church. Firstly, the leaders of Catholic Church in the west and leaders of the Orthodox Church in the east of Europe both made claims to be the Pope. Catholic and Protestant priests and bishops tried to hold and gain power to legitimize their claim and in doing so engaged in war, resisted reform, and built up their coffers, which angered the laity. Furthermore, England was becoming much more powerful in Europe and following the direction of a Pope in Rome was inconvenient for one particular King, Henry VIII. King Henry had so far been unable to produce a male heir to the throne with his current wife, Catherine of Aragon, and lusted for Anne Boleyn. The King, unable to full-fill his desire to be with Anne while married, requested a divorce from Pope Celment VII. The Pope denied the divorce. King Henry then claimed that the Pope did not have jurisdiction over England and eventually divorced Catherine without approval from Rome. This was the final break from Rome. The reformation swept across the United Kingdom and soon it became treason to remain Catholic.

Protestants share the core beliefs of all other Christians: the Old Testament and New Testament of the Bible, the Trinity, and the divinity of Christ. Different to other denominations however, Protestants adhere to the scripture in the Bible alone and it is the supreme authority for the church. Less importance is placed on traditional liturgy as the path to Salvation is a personal journey based on faith in Jesus. For example, Protestant clergy are allowed to marry and have children. Another example is the departure from the traditional hierarchy of the Catholic church. Instead of a hierarchy of priests and bishops Protestants believe in a universal priesthood of believers, and that the laity may take in government and public affairs of the church. 

Today there are many variations of Protestantism around the world; Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptists, Lutheran, and Episcopalian the most prevalent. Protestants are most concentrated in the U.K., Scandinavian countries, Germany, the United States, Australia, and South Africa.

 

Eastern Orthodox

The division of Christianity to East and West stemmed from similar political and cultural differences that divided the Roman Empire shortly after the first Millennium. Claims over who was the universal pope and differences in belief over the origin of the Holy Spirit, combined with a political struggle between the Rome in the west and Constantinople in the east divided the church in what is referred to as the "Great Schism". The Catholic Pope excommunicated the Patriarch of Constantinople and in return Latin churches were closed in the East. The church remained divided; however, in 1965 Pope Paul VI attempted to bring the churches closer together by formally lifting the excommunication of the Patriarch of Constantinople.

The Eastern Orthodox church is organized similarly to the Catholic church except for the power held by its leader, the Patriarch of Constantinople. While the Patriarch is the head of the church he does not have the same powers given to the Pope. Each region of the Orthodox church is governed by a bishop. Major Orthodox Church's include the Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, and other churches mostly spread throughout the Balkan states and others in Jerusalem and America.

The beliefs of the Eastern Orthodox are founded on Christian principles of the Bible, the Old Testament and New Testament, and the Holy Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Freewill is a key concept in Christianity and arguably more prevalent in the Orthodox faith. Catholics and Protestants ask for forgiveness for the sin of Adam and Eve almost in a legal fashion; however, Eastern Orthodox Christians receive communion with God and participate in His divine life. The complete communion with God means freedom for humans to not be God but act as God, and are most human when living without sin.

Orthodox religion survived Muslim influence in Turkey, the Balkans, and the Middle East throughout history largely because of its highly liturgical worship practices and lack of reformations. Examples of this are the Greek language used in prayer, traditional music, and traditional dress.

Catholicism

The Catholic Church, also referred to as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest denomination of Christianity. For the first thousand years of Christianity there was only one universal church. The term 'Roman Catholic' was only created in the sixteenth century to differentiate those Catholics that were in communion with Pope from the Protestants and Eastern Orthodox Christians. Like the East Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church still claims to be the one, true, holy, and universal church.

The largest concentration of Catholics are in Latin America, making up almost half of its over one billion followers. Almost a quarter of its followers are in Europe with the rest spread between Africa, Asia, and North America in that order.

 Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Protestants share fundamental beliefs in the Bible, the divinity of Christ, and the Holy Trinity. Their similarities put them under the same religious umbrella of Christianity. However, one key differentiating factor of the Catholic faith is the apostolic succession. It holds that the Pope and his bishops of the Vatican, or Holy See, have been given the spiritual authority Jesus gave to his apostles. Catholics accept as factually true the scriptures of Jesus as determined by the Catholic Church and interpreted by its bishops. Catholics follow the scriptures in the Bible a and uniquely Catholic traditions and sacraments, such as the bread in mass, the Eucharist, becoming the body of Christ after a blessing by the Priest.

Catholics have other unique beliefs and traditions. A Catholic mass is usually more formal and the Eucharist is celebrated more frequently than in Protestant churches. The veneration of saints is another tradition not practised by Protestants, although it is by Eastern Orthodox Christians. In Catholicism, the Pope has the authority to make a deceased Catholic a Saint and Catholics worship saints in prayer. An example of this is the 'Hail Mary', a Catholic prayer to the virgin mother of God. More currently, the Holy See is in the process of possibly making Mother Teresa a saint.