I have heard it said that there are between 40-60,000 different denominations worldwide today, with different beliefs & varying views. It also seems that all of these different denominations call themselves Christians. When I think about this sometimes, I don’t find it that hard to believe.
I’ve an idea the
World Christian Encyclopedia is the source of one of the earlier numbers (20,000?) but the number in the minds of Catholics seems to be continually rising. Nevertheless, I’m prepared to accept that there are 60,000 (and counting) different faith communities in Western Christendom. The names of some are familiar – lovable Lutherans, amiable Anglicans, pristine Presbyterians, winsome Wesleyans, benevolent Baptists, and memorable Methodists. I’m calling them
faith communities (all 90,000 of them) because it seems to me that “denominations" are now out of favor (at least in the United States) and people are instead setting up their own “Community Churches.” But if denominations are out, the use of intense nomenclature for these Community Churches is definitely in e.g.
Sanctuary of Divine Light,
Mansion of Glory,
Hall of Grace,
Holiness Sanctification Discipleship,
Beacon of Abundant Life,
House of Hope,
Tabernacle of Deliverance,
Shelter of Living Faith, and
Abode of Cleansing Fire. Each of these 120,000 faith communities has its own set of beliefs – but the thing they all have in common is that
they all agree to disagree.
This is an important point so I’ll restate it. All of the 225,000 faith communities agree to disagree. One last time: All 480,000 faith communities in Western Christendom agree to disagree. For example, if one proceeds to the website of the United Methodist Church (open hearts, open minds, open doors), one will find information relating only to the United Methodist Church. One will not find the addresses of Baptist churches on the United Methodist Church website. But the Methodists aren’t mad at the Baptists because the Baptists have their own setup. The disagreements among the Non–Catholic faith communities is over doctrine but it’s generally tacit. In Non–Catholic Western Christendom faith communities are not in the habit of pronouncing anathemas upon each other or formally condemning each other. Consider the
Interfaith Hospitality Network. Isn’t that a good example of Christian goodwill carried out in harmony and without any discord?
However, the perception amongst some Catholics who post on
Catholic Answers Forum is that outside of the Catholic Church there are approximately 625,000 different Non–Catholic faith communities that “can’t agree on anything” and are “all squabbling with each other.” It’s just not true. The reality is that the members of the 870,000 different Non–Catholic faith communities respect each other’s space. And because they’ve identified their differences they can live peaceably without any tension.
So it’s something of a paradox that inside the Catholic Church at the present time there is much disagreement amongst Catholics. Some Catholics proclaim themselves to be sedevacantists and claim that the papal see has been vacant since the death of Pope Pius XII. Other Catholics proclaim themselves to be sedevacantists but claim that the papal see has been vacant only since the death of Pope John XXIII. Other Catholics have formed themselves into groups called conclavists and give allegiance to popes of their own fancy. Other Catholics hold views that are “traditional.” They are substantial in number and even have their own forum here on CAF. Other Catholics are “liberal.” Some Catholics believe that contraception is permissible. Other Catholics believe it isn’t. Some Catholics believe that abortion is permissible. Other Catholics do not. Some Catholics proclaim themselves to be charismatic Catholics. Other Catholics condemn such thinking. Some Catholics assert that the changes that have taken place inside the Catholic Church in the wake of Vatican II didn’t go far enough. Other Catholics assert that everything that has changed since Vatican II is bad. The biggest controversy inside Catholicism appears to be about the Mass. Some Catholics favor the
Novus Ordo Missae. Other Catholics refuse to have anything to do with the
Novus Ordo Missae and will attend only a Latin Mass. And as if all this wasn’t burdensome enough, Catholics now have to come to terms with the revelation that the Catholic Church in Ireland is riddled with child molesters. Some Catholics have tried try to defend the Catholic Church by pointing to the defects in Non–Catholic churches. Other Catholics, sick of the whole sorry business, remain silent and sad.
But here’s the thing. Inside the Catholic Church, Catholics do not agree to disagree. They disagree, often vehemently and always divisively, and make no apologies for doing so since each and every Catholic claims to be in line with the Magisterium. This is not a picture of unity, harmony, cooperation or agreement. In fact, it’s just the opposite. It’s a picture of tension, discord, and discontentment.
So, although it may well be that there are as many as 990,000 different faith communities outside of the Catholic Church, the way in which those faith communities conduct their affairs is relatively peaceful. And since that’s so clearly evident an objective observer might be forgiven for concluding that if Satan is in fact sifting people like wheat he appears to be having more success inside the Catholic Church than he is outside of it.
Cordially,
Mick
