Protestantism is a broad branch of Christianity encompassing numerous denominations that emphasize Scripture, faith, and grace, stemming from the 16th-century Reformation, including major traditions like Lutherans, Anglicans/Episcopalians, Presbyterians/Reformed, Methodists, Baptists, and Pentecostals, plus many others like Adventists, Quakers, and Anabaptists (Mennonites, Amish). These groups vary in structure and specific beliefs but share core Reformation principles, with many contemporary nondenominational and charismatic churches also falling under the Protestant umbrella.
A majority of Protestants are members of a handful of Protestant denominational families; Adventists, Anabaptists, Anglicans/Episcopalians, Baptists, Calvinist/Reformed, Lutherans, Methodists, Moravians, Pentecostals, Plymouth Brethren, Presbyterians, Quakers and Waldensians.
Jehovah's Witnesses hold millenarian beliefs, anticipating a forthcoming battle of Armageddon and the establishment of God's kingdom on earth. They consider themselves to be true Christians but do not identify as Protestants, viewing many Protestant doctrines as inconsistent with biblical teachings.
Baptists. Baptists are the largest Protestant grouping in the United States accounting for one-third of all American Protestants.
The Church of England is a Protestant church that is also known as the Anglican Church. Protestantism is a branch of Christianity that formed in the early 16th century as a protest movement against Catholicism.
Another premise used in arguing that Latter-day Saints are not Christians is that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not descend from the traditional line of today's Christian churches: Latter-day Saints are not Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, or Protestant.
Michael Jackson left the Jehovah's Witnesses in 1987, a decision influenced by growing tensions between his global fame and the sect's strict precepts. His Grammy-winning Thriller album and its accompanying video, which featured occult imagery, caused significant controversy within the organization.
Donald Trump identifies as a nondenominational Christian, having previously been associated with Presbyterianism and influenced by Norman Vincent Peale's "positive thinking," though his faith journey includes shifting affiliations and a strong connection with evangelical Christians, with recent statements emphasizing a stronger faith after a life-threatening event. While raised Presbyterian and attending church as a child, he declared himself nondenominational in 2020, yet his religious identity is complex, drawing from various Christian influences and appealing to a broad base of Christian supporters, including Christian nationalists.
The Catholic Church remains the largest Christian community in the world, with more than 1.410 billion members spread across every continent. According to recent global estimates (2024), the countries with the largest Catholic populations are led by Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines.
The most prominent Protestant denominations include Pentecostal, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Non-denominational, Evangelical Free, and Church of Christ. These denominations within the Protestant umbrella differ in theology, such as Baptism, traditions in worship services, and the means of salvation.
In a broad sense, yes, all Christians who are not Catholic or Orthodox can be referred to as Protestants.
Mainline Protestant Denominations are listed below.
Essentially, Protestantism is characterised by emphasis on the Bible as the sole source of infallible truth and the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alone (These are known as the formal and material causes of the Reformation respectively).
Suicide rates between different religions vary. Among the major religions in the US, Protestants have the highest rate of suicide.
The 2020 global percentage of adherents by religion.
Jehovah's Witnesses (hereafter JWs) consider themselves to be Christians (but not Protestants), even though they reject the doctrine of the Trinity. JWs claim that Jesus was not divine and that the Holy Spirit is an “active force” and not a person.
Today, the term Mormon is often used to refer to members of the largest denomination, the LDS Church, which rejects "Mormon" as a reference term as of 2018. The second-largest sect, the Community of Christ, also rejects the term "Mormon" due to its association with the practice of polygamy among Brighamite sects.
In 2022 at the Lambeth Conference 175 bishops signed a statement affirming the holiness of committed love of same-gender couples. In February 2023, the Archbishop's Council of Church of England allowed blessing ceremony for same-sex couples.
In North America, it is this group which will most likely call themselves “Anglican” instead of “Episcopalian” in order to underscore their separation from the Episcopal Church and their participation in the global realignment.
Contrary to popular belief, the royal family is not Catholic. We repeat, they are not Catholic. The royals are in fact the head of the Church of England, which is a Protestant Anglican church, and they've been a part of this religion since the 16th century.