Christianity represents 31% of the world's population, of which Catholics are approx. 18% and Protestants 37%, other Christian religions making up the balance.

PROTESTANTISM

Founded

Founded by various reformers who denied the universal authority of the Catholic Pope, Papal Magisterial Authority, Papal Infallibility, and objected to Roman Catholic Orthodoxy, some portions of doctrine, and a number of specific practices.

Martin Luther specifically objected to the selling of indulgencies for the full or partial remission of temporal punishment due for sins which have already been forgiven. The money raised from selling indulgencies was being used for the building of St. Peter's Basilica. Martin Luther was excommunicated, sentenced to death for heresy and had to go in to hiding for 3 years to save his life.

The main reformers were: 12th century - Peter Waldo. 14th century - John Wycliffe. 15th century Jan Hus. 16th century*  - Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, Jacobus Arminius, Heinrich Bullinger, Balthasar Hubmaier, Menno Simons, John Smyth, Huldrych Zwingili, amongst many others.

Today there are estimated to be some 33,000 denominations under the "Protestant Umbrella" however there are only a few denominations that have major or secondary theological differences, with the others only having minor subtle theological differences.

Protestantism, in line with most other religions, suffers from divisions based mainly on arguments over interpretation and semantics.

There is also argument over whether "Anglican" churches are in fact "Protestant" or "Reformed Catholic"

* The 16th century is considered to be the Reformation Proper.

God(s)

One God who is a Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

The doctrine of the Trinity developed gradually over several centuries and through many controversies including threatened schisms.

It was not until the 4th century that the distinctness of the three and their unity were brought together in a single orthodox doctrine of one essence and three persons (1+1+1=1). God, Jesus the incarnation of God, and the Holy Spirit as the bond between them.

This generally placated the factions, although the controversies re-emerged during the enlightenment period and continue until today.

Prophet(s)

Jesus of Nazareth

Leader(s)

Deacons, Bishops, Vicars, Clergy amongst others.

Afterlife

Eternal heaven or hell (or temporary purgatory before heaven).

Practices

Prayer, Bible study, baptism, Eucharist (Communion), church on Sundays, numerous holidays. The belief in the Bible as the supreme source of authority for the church. The early churches of the Reformation believed in a critical, yet serious, reading of Scripture and holding the Bible as a source of authority higher than that of previous Church Tradition. The right and duty of the Christian laity not only to read the Bible in the vernacular, but also to take part in the government and all the public affairs of the Church. It is opposed to the hierarchical system which puts the essence and authority of the Church in an exclusive priesthood, and makes ordained priests the necessary mediators between God and the people.

Texts

The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

Human situation/

Life's purpose

All have sinned* and are thereby separated from God. Salvation comes by grace through faith alone in Jesus as the Christ, rather than through good works as in the Catholic faith.

*St. Augustine (354-430AD) imported an idea foreign to the Bible: the notion that the taint of sin is transmitted from generation to generation by the act of procreation following the fall of Adam. He took this idea from the 2nd-century theologian Tertullian, who actually coined the phrase original sin.

Punishment for heresy

Historically: Death.

Currently: Nothing.

Attitude to Women

Historically: Various, but generally unequal

Currently: Various, but generally Liberal.*

*Many churches now allow female clergy, and the first female bishop has been appointed.

Main objectives in theory

To spread the teachings of the Bible and Jesus and encourage believers to live lives in accordance with those teachings.

Main objectives in practice

As above.

Major

benefits to the human

condition

The socioeconomic and moral teachings of Jesus are generally good (irrespective of which church teaches them) and the effects of these teachings on society in general, and individuals in particular, has been generally beneficial. There have been many exemplary achievements by individual Protestants in many areas of life.

The Protestant church for many centuries was the "Power Behind the Throne" in the leadership of many countries upon whose support many kings relied, and therefore kept a certain amount of reign on their behavior.

Major detriments to the human condition in deaths.

Religious wars Mainly fought defensively against Catholic armies (See Catholicism for details). With the Reformation many kings who had previously been unwilling subjects of the Catholic church and the power of the Popes, took the opportunity to support the new churches to release themselves from papal power, thereby making themselves enemies of the Catholic church and therefore subject to attack by the armies of kings still supporting and beholden to the Popes. Later this developed in to loosely based religious wars between kingdoms where religion was an excuse rather than a reason for the war, with territorial gain and power being the real objectives.

Witchcraft the belief in witches* and that they were in league with the devil mainly ran from 1484 to 1750. During this time, many people (80% women) were accused, convicted and either burned or hanged as witches to punish heresy.

*Witchcraft was believed by many cultures and religions throughout history.

Colonialism Whilst the Spanish and Portuguese Catholic Conquistadores were pillaging South America and other areas. The British, Dutch, French and to a lesser extent German countries were exploiting other areas of the world (Africa, India, North America, China etc.) Although these countries benefited from the exploited wealth it was done in the main through companies set up for those purposes. Companies who had shareholders and their own company armies (such as the British East India Company and the Dutch East India Company) although their respective governments drew wealth from taxing their trading. These companies also fought de-facto wars on their governments behalf.

On the back of colonialism, and to give colonialism some form of credence other than pure capitalistic greed, rode the Protestant Evangelical cause. Evangelists were at the forefront of the colonialist operations and spent their lives bringing their various churches / beliefs to the native populations with the object of converting them to their particular form of Christianity. Again, untold numbers of native peoples were killed by war, disease, slavery and rape. These deaths and despicable behaviors were not however directed by Protestantism, but by the companies / governments involved, and the wealth went not directly to the churches but to the same companies / governments. Although the link between colonialism and evangelicalism is clear, church involvement in the wars and pillage that resulted is less so.

Slavery The enforced slavery of Africans who were then sent in chains to work in the Caribbean and America was a stain on the countries (mainly Protestant) who were involved in it. Often 30 or 40% of the shipload of slaves would die and be thrown overboard before reaching their destination. The cruelty involved in this despicable trade in human beings is well recorded. Again the Protestant churches were not involved in this trade but were close bystanders who did little to object to, or stop it. Admittedly, the Parliamentarians who did eventually bring the trade in slavery to an end were no doubt devout Protestant Christians, however it was through parliamentary democracy, rather than church intervention, that they were able to do so.

Other Major detriments to the human condition.

Teachings

Some of the teachings in minor Protestant churches have led to beliefs that are peculiar to say the least - such as teachings today that the world is only 6,000 years old and evolutionarily unchanged since the beginning, and a church based on a nine year old child prophet. These peculiar minor churches tend to be mainly in the USA and Africa.

Christian Fundamentalists (both Catholic and Protestant) have long battled in the courts, particularly in the USA to either stop the teaching of Darwinism in schools, or to ensure the equal teaching of Creationism under various other names such as intelligent design. The courts successively struck down such cases stating that State and Church must be separated and schools free to teach Darwinism and under no obligation to teach Creationism.

Notes