What is the differences between Catholic & Orthodox & Protestant & Anglican?

Question

and what is the demographic distribution estimates between them?

Answer 1

+ Differences +

"What separates us as believers in Christ is much less than what unites us." (Pope John XXIII)

Almost all important doctrine is completely agreed upon between Catholic Christians and other Christians.

Here is the joint declaration of justification by Catholics (1999), Lutherans (1999), and Methodists (2006):

By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works.

There are many minor doctrine issues and some major cultural traditional differences which, I believe, do not matter that much.

A Catholic worships and follows Christ in the tradition of Catholicism which, among other things, recognizes that Christ made Peter the leader of His new Church and Pope Benedict XVI is Peter's direct successor.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm

+ Demographics +

According to Adherents.com:

Catholic 1,050,000,000
Orthodox/Eastern Christian 240,000,000
African indigenous sects (AICs) 110,000,000
Pentecostal 105,000,000
Reformed/Presbyterian/Congregational/United 75,000,000
Anglican 73,000,000
Baptist 70,000,000
Methodist 70,000,000
Lutheran 64,000,000
Jehovah's Witnesses 14,800,000
Adventist 12,000,000
Latter Day Saints 12,500,000
Apostolic/New Apostolic 10,000,000
Stone-Campbell ("Restoration Movement") 5,400,000
New Thought (Unity, Christian Science, etc.) 1,500,000
Brethren (incl. Plymouth) 1,500,000
Mennonite 1,250,000
Friends (Quakers) 300,000

http://www.adherents.com/adh_branches.html#Christianity

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 2

First - Catholic vs. Orthodox. The primary different is the authority and role of the Church Heirarchy. Catholics have a very strong heirarchy, whereas the Eastern Orthodox do not. Then there are the Advent and Easter traditions which differ.

Anglicans are similar to Catholics more than any other group. But their don't have the same authority in the heirarchy. An Archbishop has very little authority in the Anglican Church. The Archbishop of Canterbury is "first among equals" but can't depose another bishop.

Protestants often have almost no heirarchy, and bishops (if they have them) are more administrative in nature.

This could go on for books and books. Read Allister McGrath's "Christian Theology - an Introduction" - it gives a great historical overview of the Church.

Answer 3

From what I understand the Catholic church broke from the Orthodox church because they wanted one man (a Pope) to govern their church. There is little difference between the many Eastern Orthodox ceremonies...all of which can be dated back over 1500 years (Greek, Russian, Romanian, Serbian). The Orthodox church is lead by a group of men (Arch-Bishops) that all hold the same amount of responsibility. Leads back to the thought that absolute power corrupts absolutely. The Protestant and Anglican branches of Christianity broke from the Catholic church also because of differing ideas in interpretations just like the Lutheran's, Baptist's, Presbyterians and the Church of England. Orthodox Priests are allowed to marry and have families. Many "modern" religions or churches change with society...the Orthodox do not change. There is a beauty and timelessness that surround you in an Orthodox church that I have never experienced in any other. The traditions run deep and every part has a meaning that can be dated back to the first days of the Church.

So basically it boils down to we all come from the same church...and the same belief in the Bible just differing in interpretations, services & leaders. It's all in what you want or need it to be.

FYI the Advant and Easter beliefs are the same although the Orthodox follow the old calandar and the Catholic's and all other "modern" churches follow a new calandar.

Answer 4

roughly

~1.1 billion Roman Catholics
~380 million Orthodox
~400 million Protestants (including Anglicans)

addition: contrary to what another person wrote Catholics do not 'report' to the pope, individual Catholics are under the juristdidction of the local bishop. All doctrinal adminstration of the local Catholic parishes (church district) falls under the authority of the bishop. The bishop in union with the other bishops of church are to be in communion with the Pope. The Pope is the temporal head of the entire church on earth and is reponsible to make statements clarifying what is authentic Christian doctrine and what is not. He is a shepard.

Eastern Orthodoxy
The Eastern Orthodox have a looser association of churches with a divided history while under Islamic and Communist secular rule. The Eastern Orthodox have been divided along national lines because of this interference.
The patriarch of Constantinople is normally considered the prime patriarch among equals this really relates back to the strength of the patriarchate being the last one overrun by Islam in the 15th century. (so much more to write)

Anglicanism:
Anglicanism did not really take off until after Elizabeth I was excommunicated by the Pope of Rome. Henry VIII her father did create the spark of separation from Catholicism with his demands for re-marriage being denied. Henry was once known as defender of the Faith as a Catholic and he even wrote arguments against Martin Luther and his newly created heresies on the continent of Europe.

Anglicanism was created as a state religion some persons assuming this similar to that of the nation churches of the Eastern Orthodox but this is not entirely right. Anglicanism is the prime creator of much of Protestantism today which has spread through the western hemisphere from the time of the English reformation.
Anglicanism was meant to be an inbetween with what is traditional Catholicism and the more radical Protestant sects that immediately developed after the rebellion of the English reformation.

Protestantism in general:
today means mass confusion. It has been the father of denominationalism, relativism, materialism, indifferentism in the words of G. K. Chesterton "it would be empty if not for all the 'isms' that fill it, with the exception of Catholicism"

Answer 5

The Catholic and Orthodox Churches have Apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist. Together, they are the one true Church that was established by the Holy Spirit. The Anglican are protestants! Protestants protest the Catholic Churches hierarchy which throughout history has been stained by the Churches human element, however, the spiritual element remains pure. The protestants were also supported by feudal princes so that they would no longer have to answer to the Pope. In an effort to eliminate all things Catholic, the protestants threw out all Church Tradition and traditions. Kinda like throwing the baby out with the bath water!!!

Answer 6

I know the difference between Catholics and Protestants. England was Catholic for hundreds of years. Then, the King wanted a divorce, but the Pope did not grant it. So, the King broke away and eventually started the King James version Bible and Protestant religion. Catholicism was outlawed in England, and Catholics were hunted down. I think it's called the Reformation, but my mind is a little cloudy on it all. Ireland is mostly Catholic and of course Italy is. The Catholic Bible has five more books called the Apocrypha.

Answer 7

Roman Catholics "report" to the Pope in Rome. Orthodox's do not. Orthodox's used to be Catholic til they split.

Answer 8

Anglican and Catholic is the same thing.

Protestant follow the Holy Bible and don't believe there are other "Holy Books."

Orthodox:
–adjective 1. of, pertaining to, or conforming to the approved form of any doctrine, philosophy, ideology, etc.
2. of, pertaining to, or conforming to beliefs, attitudes, or modes of conduct that are generally approved.
3. customary or conventional, as a means or method; established.
4. sound or correct in opinion or doctrine, esp. theological or religious doctrine.
5. conforming to the Christian faith as represented in the creeds of the early church.
6. (initial capital letter) of, pertaining to, or designating the Eastern Church, esp. the Greek Orthodox Church.
7. (initial capital letter) of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Orthodox Jews or Orthodox Judaism.

Answer 9

Sheesh. Ever heard of something called a "search engine" ??

Do your own Googling.

Answer 10

Interpretation of scripture=theology.