With the understanding that these all fit under the larger banner of Christianity, I wanted to organize the groups/sub-groups in a logical and coherent way. When I use these terms, this organizational structure is what I have in mind. However, there are a few caveats here.
Disclaimer #1- I make no claim as to the list below being exhaustively complete. The intention was to address some of the most common groups.
Disclaimer #2- Related to that, I can't list every single associated group or order or society or fraternity or whatever else that's related to/split off from/in protest of every other group or else the big picture flavor I'm trying to achieve with this glossary is effectively moot. That and, let's face it, I'm lazy and don't want to spend all day perfecting this thing. It's supposed to be true in the big picture.
Disclaimer #3- I organized the list based upon the groups practices, beliefs and (where relevant) liturgy. On that basis, I can imagine some faithful Catholics may deeply resent being put into the same class as members of the SSPX. For that matter, the reverse is possibly true as well. Understand that no offense is intended. However, the customs, histories and practices of each group warrant their inclusion side by side with one another. Again, no offense is intended but in my opinion the two groups are variations on one another. They belong in the list in this way and since it's my list, I get to make the rules.
Besides, if you're a torqued off faithful Catholic (or SSPX'er), just think how angry the Protestants are that I barely acknowledge any of their zillions of splits, schisms and other drama. There's always somebody who has it worse.
Disclaimer #4- If you have a suggestion for an improvement or correction, try recommending it to me before calling for my blood or labeling me a rebellious, spite-filled heretic. I promise to consider thinking about the possibility of potentially modifying the list accordingly someday. And that's a promise!
Disclaimer #5- If the list seems a bit biased towards North America, there's a reason for that. I live in North America. Again, I'm not trying to be all-encompassing with this list. I'm merely attempting to apply helpful labels to groups many of you may or may not have heard of or completely understand. This isn't an attempt to be religiously imperialistic. If you want to see religious imperialism, check out some of my posts about evangelicalism. All I'm trying to do here is be accurate but brief.
Disclaimer #6- Intentionally incomplete or not, I intentionally skipped groups that I don't consider Christian. That includes Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses and even many within the Emerging Church. If that bothers you, remember that this is my list and I get to make the rules. It's good to be king. Now piss off. Besides, nobody is stopping you from making your own list.
Disclaimer #7- Another obvious group that got skipped is the non-denominational. By definition they're hard to fit in anywhere. You see, non-denominational types want to be able to criticize anybody at any time without being subject to criticism themselves. The only way to do that is to avoid denominations altogether. That lets you bash on everybody but, as non-denominationalism by definition has no specific creed, catechism or "statement of faith", nobody can really come after you about it. All that's fine and dandy, Mr. Non-Denominationalist. Just don't tell me that I'm the one being divisive here, mmkay?
---- Christianity
--- Catholicism/Apostolic Succession
-- Roman Catholic
- Holy Roman Catholic Church
- Society of St. Pius X
- Utrecht/Old Catholics
- Miscellaneous sedevacantist groups
-- Eastern Orthodox
-- Anglican
- Anglican Communion
- Anglican Church in North America
- Reformed Episcopal Church
--- Protestantism
-- Mainline Protestant
- Methodists
- Lutherans
- Presbyterians
- Churches of/Disciples of Christ
-- Evangelical
- Southern Baptist
- Charismatics/Pentacostals
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