[Serious]: Why are there so many dang Baptists?

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TheNeutral

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I know this sounds like an unusual question for a Catholic forum, but I’m sure there are some wise Catholics or even former-Baptists who could give an insightful answer to this… I mean, c’mon; We’ve got the North Baptists, East Baptists, West Baptists, South Baptists, 23rd St. Boulevard Baptists, Crackerbarrel® Coast Baptists, Miami-Heat Baptists, George’s Homecooked Baptists, Baby’s-First Baptists, Sweet Baby Ray’s® Baptists, Pringles-Brand Baptists, Outback Creek Baptists, Eastern Alliance Baptists, 44th St. Baptists, 45th St. Baptists, 46&1/2th Street Baptist, Backstreet Baptists, Frontstreet Baptists, Jesus Baptists, Baptist Baptists, Kentucky Fried® Baptists, Single-Glossed Baptists, Double-Glossed Baptists, and most curiously, the Star Spangled Baptists.

Did I miss any Baptists? Let me know in the comments below! (Honorable mention to the Westborow Baptists too).

Truth be told, the Baptist branch of Christianity alone is probably responsible for at least 75% of the Protestant populace, and I find it very peculiar how they don’t see the absurdity in it all. Most of my friends and family have had many experiences with the massive amounts of sub-baptist denominations. One of my Catholic brethren actually said the sheer amount of Baptist Churches played a key role in his conversion.

So what are your thoughts on the billions of Baptist branches, and why are they so common?
 
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Not really sure I can answer. Any kind of Baptists are quite hard to find around here. And we are supposedly 70 to 80% Protestant.
 
I know that in the past, being a Southern Baptist meant your church’s doctrine defended slavery and racism as moral, so it was certainly a convenient for everyone living, profiting, and generally benefiting from racism/slavery to believe that scripture and church doctrine backed up their beliefs, laws, and behavior.

Edit: I should be more clear that I am referring to how the church was initially appealing for southerners to join.
 
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TheNeutral said:
Did I miss any Baptists?
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Most certainly! Which is even further to your point.
Truth be told, the Baptist branch of Christianity alone is probably responsible for at least 75% of the Protestant populace
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I’d say just in the US.

Worldwide, Pentecostals/Charismatics as the largest loose “block” which account for a bit less than a third of Protestants. Baptists number a third/half of Pentecostals, roughly.
…and I find it very peculiar how they don’t see the absurdity in it all.
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This is probably the very thing fueling the rise of labeled “nondenominational” churches, even though there is absolutely no such thing. They all fall along some specific theology espoused by some denomination - they just avoid the traditional, visible associations.
So what are your thoughts on the billions of Baptist branches, and why are they so common?
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The typically free-will Baptist presentation of the gospel and the subsequent requirements of church membership present very, very low bars to meet. Additionally, they’re very marketed. It’s Christianity as envisioned by a consumerist economy. 😅
 
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I attended a Baptist seminary before returning to the Catholic Church. Basically, there is no such thing as Baptist denominations. Each Baptist church is 100% autonomous. Some choose to freely associate with one another and form conventions (Southern Baptist Convention, American Baptist Convention, etc.) Those conventions, however, have absolutely no authority over the constituent members. It’s sort of like American individualism on steroids.
 
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