This isn't going to be anywhere near a complete answer! The differences among the different denominations are sometimes large and sometimes subtle. Often Protestant denominations have more in common with other groups or even with Catholics than they do with churches of similar names.
Churches in the United States are often quite different than those with the same name in Europe, largely because of the tendency in the US toward congregational participation (related to democratic principles).
Churches and denominations can be differentiated by doctrine, by practice, or by the method of church government. New denominations have sprung up in response to revivals or "awakenings", or even due to societal concerns like slavery.
I'd suggest the above website, or some good thick books on church history.
Besides all the doctrinal differences, which some care more about than others, there are differences in liturgical style as well. They each have different "philosophies" towards worship.
But they all gather to worship. Quite a different scenario than my former (and your current) church.
The exception may be the Unitarian Universalist church. Not sure about their "worship" or lack thereof. My cousins are agnostic, yet are very involved in that particular church. They do lots of community service type things.
I have attended a service at a 'UU' church. I found it interesting to flip through their hymnal, as well. songs to a christain god, songs to Gaia, songs to Har Krishna, songs to Allah, songs to mother nature.
If you made an attempt to combine ALL religous beleifs and blend them together, into a single service.
Historically the Unitarians were a neat group, simply the beleif that there is a single deity. Whether we call that deity: Yawweh, or Allah, or Elohim.
It came from a century earlier when deists were common. (Ignoring Thomas Paine who wrote a lot and carried things in an entirely different direction) Mostly Christains, some Jews; beleiving that organized churchs were bad and controlled mens lives. They wrote a lot about their beliefs in a single Biblical Deity, and included some very devout people (though because they did not attend the 'legal' churches of the day, deists were often not recorded as being devout).
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Bramble
You might try using the search function at Religioustolerance.org
I always look up stuff about denominations etc there.
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Tom Strange
OH! those Baptists are different from Methodists and Presbyterians... !!!
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Oakspear
This isn't going to be anywhere near a complete answer! The differences among the different denominations are sometimes large and sometimes subtle. Often Protestant denominations have more in common with other groups or even with Catholics than they do with churches of similar names.
Churches in the United States are often quite different than those with the same name in Europe, largely because of the tendency in the US toward congregational participation (related to democratic principles).
Churches and denominations can be differentiated by doctrine, by practice, or by the method of church government. New denominations have sprung up in response to revivals or "awakenings", or even due to societal concerns like slavery.
I'd suggest the above website, or some good thick books on church history.
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dmiller
That's a good site, Bramble. Thanks!
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Raf
By the way, it's "Unitarian Universalist."
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ex10
Insurgent
Besides all the doctrinal differences, which some care more about than others, there are differences in liturgical style as well. They each have different "philosophies" towards worship.
But they all gather to worship. Quite a different scenario than my former (and your current) church.
The exception may be the Unitarian Universalist church. Not sure about their "worship" or lack thereof. My cousins are agnostic, yet are very involved in that particular church. They do lots of community service type things.
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insurgent
Thank you all very much. Bramble, that's a great website. I have much to read.
If you're interested, I'll let you know what I find out.
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def59
With so much intolerance in the world today it is refreshing to see someone with the idea that people should be allowed to believe what they want.
I still have my doubts about the site, but at first glance it seems harmless.
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WordWolf
I once heard the following offhand description of "Unitarian Universalists",
& knew I'd have to memorize it...
"We don't care what you believe-just come to church."
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Galen
I have attended a service at a 'UU' church. I found it interesting to flip through their hymnal, as well. songs to a christain god, songs to Gaia, songs to Har Krishna, songs to Allah, songs to mother nature.
If you made an attempt to combine ALL religous beleifs and blend them together, into a single service.
Historically the Unitarians were a neat group, simply the beleif that there is a single deity. Whether we call that deity: Yawweh, or Allah, or Elohim.
It came from a century earlier when deists were common. (Ignoring Thomas Paine who wrote a lot and carried things in an entirely different direction) Mostly Christains, some Jews; beleiving that organized churchs were bad and controlled mens lives. They wrote a lot about their beliefs in a single Biblical Deity, and included some very devout people (though because they did not attend the 'legal' churches of the day, deists were often not recorded as being devout).
.
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