Difference between revisions of "Protestantism"

Revision as of 11:41, 7 August 2006

This article deals with Protestantism as it relates to NationStates. For more general information, see the Wikipedia article on this subject.

Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. In RL it generally refers to churches which separated from the Roman Catholic Church in the Reformation (but not to Eastern Orthodox denominations). In NS it may also refer to groups which seperated later or other groups which are ideologically or dogmatically close to the groups mentioned before. The primary principles of the Protestant faith are often referred to as the five solas: Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola Christus (Christ alone), Sola fide (Faith alone), Sola gratia (Grace alone), and Soli deo gloria (to God alone the glory). These five slogans mean that the only mediator between God and man is Jesus Christ, that Scripture is the inerrant Word of God containing all truth necessary for salvation, and that justification is by faith through grace, a free gift of God to those who have faith is Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Because of the diversity of Protestant belief structures, not all of the Solas are necessarily upheld by every group considering itself Protestant. Different protestant churches are listed below:

Anabaptists

Anabaptists are a family of Protestant denominations owing their origins to the Radical Reformation. The term means rebaptizers and was coined by critics who objected to the Anabaptist practice of rebaptizing adults who had been baptized as infants. This is because of the most famoust Anabaptist doctrine, the belief that infant baptism is not valid.

Anglicanism

Anglicanism or Episcopalianism is a family of Protestant denominations owing its origins to the Church of England. Anglicanism also includes the continuing Anglican Churches, churches which have seceded from the Church of England but maintain an Anglican theology. In the context of Nationstates, the Anglican family of churches also includes Protestant churches which are theologically modeled on the Church of England but which have no historical connection with her.

Anglican Church

(Main article: Anglican church)
The Anglican church is a Christian faith, split from the Roman Catholic faith during the Reformation, with Anglo-Catholic and Evangelical wings. However most Anglicans are probably somewhere in the middle and, in fact, stress that Anglicanism, rightly understood, is Christianity's "Via Media" (middle way) between Catholicism and Protestantism. The Thirty-Nine Articles are the defining statements of Anglican doctrine. They were issued by the Convocation of clergy of the Church of Vordania in 1584 and are printed in the Book of Common Prayer and other Anglican prayer books.

In Christiana Terra, 15% of the population is Protestant, 13% of which of the Anglican Church.

Baptist

Baptists are a family of denominations originating from the Anabaptist movement, although not necessarily adhering to an Anabaptist theology. Baptists tend to stress individual salvation and to stress a believer's baptism by full immersion.

Church of Excalbia

(Main article: Church of Excalbia)
The Church of Excalbia is the state religion in Excalbia. It was established in 1810 by the Emperor in order to give the state religion need a formal structure. Core beliefs are derived from its Baptist roots, including an emphasis on salvation by grace, the individual responsibility of believers, evangelism and the importance of the Bible.

Jasonian Baptist Church

The Jasonian Baptist Church is the major denomonation in The Empire of Jason, and it is much like the RL Southern Baptists. Jasonian Baptists are also known as Imperial Baptists outside of The Empire of Jason.

Prussian Protestantism

(Main article: Prussian Protestantism)
The Greater Prussian Empire is perhaps the heart of Protestantism in NationStates, with its owners claiming that the Greater Prussia region is the only solidly Protestant region. Greater Prussian Protestantism is based on the teachings of John Calvin, and adheres strictly to the principles put down in the Westminster Confession of Faith and tends to be very orthodox in its adherence to doctrine. It also has a tendency of supporting autocratic and militaristic leadership that is not present in, for example Dutch Reformed Protestantism.

In Christiana Terra, 15% of the population is Protestant, 2% of which Prussian Protestant.

Dutch Reformed Church

(Main article: Dutch Reformed Church)
The Dutch Reformed Church (in Dutch: Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk) is also based on the teachings of John Calvin. It used to be the largest church in Knootoss and it formerly enjoyed status as the state church. The main Protestant churches in Knootoss have merged into the Nederlands Hervormde Kerk Knootoss (NHKK) the vast majority the 0.79% of the Knootian population that is still Protestant belongs to the NHKK.

Church of Cyro

(Main article: Church of Cyro)
The Church of Cyro was originally created by Tzar Richard IV as a way for him to control the Catholic Church in Dyelli Beybi in response to the refusal of the pope to allow him to crusade against non-Catholic States.

After Richard's assassination, Pope Indolence attempted to establish Saint Guineford's as an independent papal state. However, he was defeated militarily by Tzar George VIII and assassinated by a cleric loyal to the Church in Rome. His passing led to the majority of the population reverting to Catholicism and the death of the Church of Cyro as the majority religion in Dyelli Beybi.

Church of Christos Progressa

(Main article: Church of Christos Progressa)
The Church of Christos Progressa (originally Helvetic Christianity) is the largest Christian sect in the Helvetic Confederation.It emerged when Helvetians who were disgruntled with the management of Twentish Catholicism and felt distanced from Twente (The Vatican of Europe) began to develop a more provincial order. The modern Church of Christos Progressa has no masses or services as are found in other churches. Rather, weekly gatherings more closely resemble large discussion groups.

Falasturian Methodist Church

(Main article: Falasturian Methodism)
The Falasturian Methodist Church is an offshoot of the Methodist Church established by John Wesley in the mid-18th Century. The Church is largely the same as Wesley's Methodism - a liberal and decentralised form of Protestantism, noted for its members' resolution to abstein from drinking alcohol - however, with King George I's conversion in 1761, it was distanced and eventually seperated from its mother denomination by King George's free hand, essentially working Methodism into Falastur according to his wishes, and not necessarily those of Wesley. Today, 23% of Falasturians claim to be Falasturian Methodists, and a surprisingly high number of those are active, given common apathy for strong religious practise in modern times. However, absteinance from alcohol is largely disappearing as a common practise.

Galvanised Wesleyan Church

(Main article: Galvanised Wesleyan Church)
The Galvanised Wesleyan Church is the official Church of Nova Britannicus, thought to be an off-shoot of the Methodist Church that was brought to Nova Britannicus by the Britannic Empire in the 18th Century and onwards. It is thought that 'Galvanised' could refer to the promtion of unity within Nova Britannicus, or could simply be down to the many Iron Works in its traditional home-city of Widdrington.

Church of Kingladn

The Church of Kingladn is most similar to the real-life Presbyterian Church USA. The largest church in Kingladn, with almost 95% of the national population being members. When the Republic of Kingladn became a monarchy in early 2005, Christianity was declared official religion by King Charles I.

The Errikan Church

The branch of Christianity followed by nearly all Errikans, this church technically has no name. Its policies are known for being very conservative, and it is strong in the belief that all humans are equal in the eyes of God and that scripture is the only voice of God. Recently, the Emperor has been recognized as "the protector of the church," though this position is not official within the church.