CONFLICTS AND DIVISIONS

WITHIN PROTESTANT CHRISTIANITY

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Past and present conflicts among denominations:

Intensive conflicts and schisms among established denominations have occurred -- and some continue -- on many moral topics including human sexuality, freedom and rights:

Some indicators of divisions within Protestantism:

Future Divisions within Christendom:

Author Bruce Bawer believes that the differences between the two Protestant movements, " Law" and " Love,"

"...are so monumental that any rapprochement seems, at present, unimaginable. Indeed, it seems likely that if one side does not decisively triumph, the next generation will see a realignment in which historical denominations give way to new institutions that more truly reflect the split in American Protestantism." _1,2

Such a realignment might be observed in:

Our policies about Christian essays:

Who is a Christian? We follow the policy used by government census offices and public opinion pollsters: if an individual or group devoutly, seriously, and thoughtfully considers themselves to be Christian, then we do too. This policy, probably more than any other, has resulted in an incredible flood of angry Email from visitors to our web site who are anxious to divide Christianity into "true Christianity" (their side) and "false Christianity" (everyone else). They commonly express the belief that The Watchtower Society (Jehovah's Witnesses) and Unification Church are cults, that Mormons are Gnostics, and that Roman Catholics are Pagans -- but none are actually Christian.

Two mode model: In our essays, we generally differentiate between the views of very conservative and very liberal Christians. We recognize that most Christian theologians and other believers probably hold beliefs that are somewhere between these two positions. We often discuss the beliefs of 1^st and 2^nd century Christians as well.

Unique beliefs and practices: Sometimes, one wing of Christianity will have unique beliefs or engage in special practices. Examples are the concepts of Purgatory and Limbo within Roman Catholicism, and unique dates for many Christian holy days among the Eastern Orthodox churches. We explain these separately. 

References

1. Bruce Bawer, "Where Protestants Part Company", Opinion Column, The New York Times, 1997-APR-5.
2. Bruce Bawer, "Stealing Jesus: How Fundamentalism Betrays Christianity," Crown Publ. (1997). Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store

Copyright © 1997 to 2005 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance.
Last update: 2005-DEC-02
Author: B.A. Robinson