Compare and contrast of modern christian sects?

Question

Particularly looking for a website if anyone knows, not wikipedia!!!!

Print recomendations would alsobe welcome.

Answer 1

Christianity may be broadly represented as being divided into three main groupings:

Roman Catholicism: The Roman Catholic Church, or "Catholic Church", includes the 23 particular churches in communion with the Bishop of Rome.
Claims it's origins go back to church organized by Christ, though it wasn't until the third century that the Catholic Church became a recognized part of the identifying label for the bulk of Christianity.

Protestantism: Groups such as the Church of England, Lutherans, Reformed/Presbyterians, Congregational/United Church of Christ, Evangelical, Charismatic, Baptists, Methodists, Nazarenes, Anabaptists, Seventh-day Adventists, Waldensians and Pentecostals. The oldest of these separated from the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century Protestant Reformation, followed in many cases by further divisions.
The movement began as an attempt to reform the Catholic Church and led to the fracturing of Christendom. Many western Christians were troubled by what they saw as false doctrines and malpractices within the Church, particularly involving the teaching and sale of indulgences. Men, such as Martin Luther, set about to correct these errors

Restorationists do not usually describe themselves as "reforming" a Christian Church continuously existing from the time of Jesus, but as restoring the Church that they believe was lost at some point. Restorationists include The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
They claim there was an apostasy from the original teachings and organization set up by Christ. After the deaths of the Savior and His Apostles, men corrupted the principles of the gospel and made unauthorized changes in Church organization and priesthood ordinances. Because of this widespread apostasy, the Lord withdrew the authority of the priesthood from the earth. This apostasy led to the need of a restoration of the fulness of the gospel.

Answer 2

You need to look up the doctrines of several prominent Christian sects and compare and contrast them. You can use Wikipedia for that. Try these:

Catholic
Episcopalean
Baptist
Mormon

That should do for a start.

Answer 3

80-90% of all people on this planet follow a religious tradition similar to that in which they were raised. this tells me that my personal beliefs have less to do with reality than they involve where, how, and by whom I was raised.

My observation is that the generic Protestant churches that are open with their finances and do honest book-keeping are a good place to start. Catholic charities are awesome, they do wonderful work all over the world, and the vast majority of the clergy are very honorable people, despite the recent negative publicity they have suffered.

A church that is secretive about their finances, that denies its history or keeps secret archives or engages in secretive ceremonies or that denies full rights to any race or gender is, to my way of thinking, a cult. the Mormans, God bless them, are a prime example.

Were I seeking a church home I would look at the mainstream Protestant churches, including methodists. lutherans, episcopalians, and presbyterians. The Baptists have the best music, but the whole "born again" thing makes life miserable for those of us who have not experienced a life-changing revelation. Pentacostals are increasing in popularuty, and I occasionally attend services, but many of them are faking it---I refer to the "speaking in tongues" and other attention-grabbing things they do.

It really has to do with what you want from a church home, what you expect, and how much effort you want to invest in your own spiritual growth. If you are looking for a church that believes itself to have a monopoly on Divine truth, well, there are plenty of those out there. I would recommend that you look hard at the mainstream churches that are open with their finances and where anyone is welcome to ask questions.

Answer 4

Adherents.com