If the Pope leads the Catholic Church ...

[Speedy]

MikeF wrote:
Hopefully, it's Jesus.

Whoa, let’s not get crazy here.

[kj]

TheCaber wrote:
Look up "Martin Luther" on wikipedia and other history sites.
He was the founder of Protestantism. The first of many protestant sects. King Henry the Eighth split away from the (Roman) Catholic Church and established the Church of England, headed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

A confusing array of different religious beliefs and practices soon followed all broadly proclaiming the sole truth of the gospel of Christ (the self called "Christians"). Anybody can declare themselves the head of a christian sect and enjoy the tax benefits (separation of church and state).

The Roman Catholic Church is the only one that can trace back to the founding by Jesus Christ and his disciples.

There have been many other splits and historic traditions.

My head hurts and my heart aches. Requiescat In Pacem, Francis Papa.

I’ve also heard members of Orthodox churches (Greek, Russian) say they can trace their start back to churches that existed during the time of Jesus. That said, to say they were there at the beginning is not to say they now resemble the churches of those times.

[timg]

I think it's by definition that there is no equivalent to Pope in the protestant world.

The whole premise of the protestants were that people could decipher the bible for themselves, where in the Roman Catholic tradition, the church decides what the bible means.

[Lemon Drop]

timg wrote:
I think it's by definition that there is no equivalent to Pope in the protestant world.

The whole premise of the protestants were that people could decipher the bible for themselves, where in the Roman Catholic tradition, the church decides what the bible means.

Yes that was the thinking at the time of the Protestant Reformation. But now you have protestant denominations and Evangelical churches who are very much into telling their members what the Bible means. That's considered the role of the pastor and church elders.

The predominant difference, operationally, from the Catholic church is autonomy of individual church congregations. Protestant churches usually hire or fire their own pastor, manage their own funds, may own the building, etc.

[Lemon Drop]

special wrote:
So it is country specific, there is no world-wide leader like in the Catholic church? Thanks

Well, protestant denominations can certainly have global reach. The Church of England for example is also known as the Anglican Communion and is global.

American-based denominations open churches all around the world.

[Lux Interior]

Michael wrote:
[quote=special]
Anybody can declare themselves the head of a christian sect and enjoy the tax benefits (separation of church and state).

How can I take advantage of this loophole?

Here you go. I signed up years ago because a friend might have needed a minister for a shotgun wedding. Turns out they found a real preacher so I've never used my status for anything.

I'm pretty sure my local Catholic priest wouldn't like that I signed up!

https://www.themonastery.org/contact

Reminds me of Chris Stevens in Northern Exposure. He got his from an ad in Rolling Stone magazine.

Also:

$59 for the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. (and you get some swag)

[Lux Interior]

MikeF wrote:
Hopefully, it's Jesus.

I don't think a lot of churches would welcome that libby hippy.

[Lemon Drop]

Lux Interior wrote:
[quote=MikeF]
Hopefully, it's Jesus.

I don't think a lot of churches would welcome that libby hippy.
Definitely not that "love your neighbor" mess.

[davemchine]

I know there are some denominations with a strong structure, oversight and potential for correction (such as Assembly of God) but there are ALOT of churches that operate under looser umbrella organizations which only require adoption of certain beliefs. Even more are non-denominational which can still come with associations or not. It can be a little confusing as most churches only publish a very generic statement of beliefs that could be used by almost any church.

In practice I think most people choose a church based on music and preaching style with only a few bothering to look at the specific beliefs. I know that was me most of my life.