If you are interested in reading detailed information about each of the major religions of the world such as the founders, sacred texts, beliefs and practices, then please follow this link: http://www.religioustolerance.org/var_rel.htm However this is a brief description of CHRISTIANITY: Roman Catholicism, Orthodox Eastern and Protestant Denominations Roman Catholicism The Roman Catholic Church, with approximately 900 million followers, is the largest Christian church in the world. It claims direct historical descent from the church founded by the apostle Peter. The Pope in Rome is the spiritual leader of all Roman Catholics. He administers church affairs through bishops and priests. Members accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Bible, as well as the church's interpretations of these. God's grace is conveyed through the seven sacraments, especially the Eucharist or communion that is celebrated at mass, the regular service or worship. The other six sacraments are baptism, confirmation, penance, holy orders, matrimony, and anointing of the sick. Redemption through Jesus Christ is professed as the sole method of obtaining salvation, which is necessary to ensure a place in heaven after life on earth. Orthodox Eastern Church With approximately 158 million followers, the Orthodox Eastern Church is the second largest Christian community in the world. It began its split from the Roman Catholic Church in the fifth century; the break was finalized in 1054. The followers of the Orthodox Church are in fact members of many different denominations, including the Church of Greece, the Church of Cyprus, and the Russian Orthodox Church. Orthodox religion holds biblical Scripture and tradition, guided by the Holy Spirit as expressed in the consciousness of the entire Orthodox community, to be the source of Christian truth. It rejects doctrine developed by the Western churches. Seven ecumenical councils held between 325 and 787AD established doctrine, which was amended by other councils in the late Byzantine period. Relations between the Orthodox churches and Roman Catholicism have improved since Vatican Council II (1962-65). Amish Mennonites With approximately 40,000 Amish Mennonites and 180,000 Mennonites, this denomination was founded in Switzerland in the 1500s after secession from the Zurich state church; the followers of Jacob Ammann broke from the other Mennonites in Switzerland and Alsace in 1693. Most Amish Mennonites emigrated to Pennsylvania in the eighteen century when others rejoined the main Mennonite group. The Amish Mennonites believe that the Bible is the sole rule of faith; beliefs are outlined in the Dordrecht Confession of Faith (1632). Mennonites shun worldly ways and modern innovation (education and technology); the sacraments are adult baptism and communion. Baptists With approximately 31 million followers, the Baptist denomination was founded by John Smyth in England in 1609 and Rogert Williams in Rhode Island in 1638. There are several branches within the Baptist denomination, most share the common belief in having no creed and that authority stems from the Bible. Most Baptists oppose the use of alcohol and tobacco. Baptism is by total immersion. Church of Christ With approximately 1.6 million followers, the Church of Christ was organized by Presbyterians in Kentucky in 1804 and in Pennsylvania in 1809. Adherents believe in and follow what is written in the New Testament without elaboration. Their rites are not ornate and baptism is of adults. Church of England There are approximately 2.7 million followers of the Church of England. King Henry VIII of England broke with the Roman Catholic Church and he issued the Act of Supremacy in 1534, which declared the King of England to be the head of the Church of England. Supremacy of the Bible is the test of doctrine; emphasis is on the most essential Christian doctrines and creeds; the Book of Common Prayer is used; the Church of England is part of the Anglican community, which is represented in the United States mainly by the Episcopal Church. Episcopal Church U.S. offshoot of the Church of England; it installed Samuel Seabury as its first bishop in 1784 and held its first General Convention in 1789. There are approximately 6,000 members of the Anglican Orthodox/Episcopal Church in the United States. Worship is based on the Book of Common Prayer and interpretation of the Bible using a modified version of the Thirty-Nine Articles originally written for the Church of England in 1563. Their services range from spartan to ornate, from liberal to conservative; baptism is of infants. Lutheran Church Based on the writings of Martin Luther, who broke (1517-21) with the Roman Catholic Church and led the Protestant Reformation; the first Lutheran congregation in North America was founded in 1638 in Wilmington, Delaware. Lutherans are approximately 8 million in number. The church is organized in synods, with the first North American regional synod being founded in 1748 by Heinrich Melchior Muhlenberg. Lutheran faith is based on the Bible and the Augsburg Confession written in 1530. Salvation comes through faith alone. Services include the Lord's Supper (communion). Lutherans are mostly conservative in religious and social ethics. Infants are baptized. Methodist Church Reverend John Wesley began evangelistic preaching within the Church of England in 1738; a separate Wesleyan Methodist Church was established in 1791. The Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in the United States in 1784. There are approximately 13.5 million members. The name derives from the founders' desire to study religion "by rule and method" and follow the Bible interpreted by tradition and reason. Worship varies by denomination within Methodism (the United Methodist Church is the largest congregation). The church is perfectionist in social dealings; communion and the baptism of infants and adults are practiced Pentecostal Churches Pentecostal churches grew out of the "holiness movement" that developed among Methodists and other Protestants in the first decade of the twentieth century. There are approximately 3.5 million members who believe in baptism in the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, faith healing and the Second Coming of Jesus. Of the various Pentecostal churches, the Assemblies of God is the largest. Services feature enthusiastic sermons and hymns. Adult baptism and communion are practiced. Presbyterian Church The Presbyterian Church grew out of Calvinist churches of Switzerland and France. John Knox founded the first Presbyterian Church in Scotland in 1557 and the first presbytery in North America was established by Irish missionary Francis Makemie in 1706. Approximately 3.2 million people belong to this denomination. Faith is in the Bible. The sacraments are infant baptism and communion. The church is organized as a system of courts in which clergy and lay members (presbyters) participate at local, regional, and national levels. Services are simple, with emphasis on the sermon. Seventh-Day Adventist Church The Seventh-Day Adventist Church grew out of the teachings of William Miller in the 1840s and was formally founded in North America in 1863. The 734,527 members follow the Bible as their only creed. They emphasize the Second Coming of Jesus and practice abstinence from alcoholic beverages and tobacco. Baptism and communion are practiced. United Church of Christ The United Church of Christ was formed in 1957 by the union of the General Council of Congregational Christian Churches with the Evangelical and Reformed Churches. Its 1.7 million members believe in the Bible and are guided by the Statement of Faith written in 1959. The church is organized by congregations, which are represented at a general synod that sets policy. Services are simple, with emphasis on the sermon. Infant baptism and communion are practiced.   The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) In the 1820s, Joseph Smith reportedly found golden tablets with The Book of Mormon inscribed on them. The church headquarters were established in upstate New York in 1830, then in Ohio in 1831; after two more attempts to establish a permanent home for the church (the second resulting in Smith's death at the hands of a mob), Salt Lake City, Utah, was founded in 1847 under the leadership of Brigham Young. There are approximately 4.5 million members of the Mormon Church. Faith is based on the Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price, all of which are considered scripture. Emphasis is placed on revelation through the connection of spiritual and physical worlds and through proselytizing. Members abstain from alcohol and tobacco and believe in community self-reliance; public services are conservative. There is baptism, laying on of hands, and communion; a secret temple holds other ceremonies, including baptism for the dead. Jehovah's Witnesses Founded by Charles T. Russell in the United States in the late nineteenth century, there are approximately 893,000 members who believe in the imminent Second Coming of Christ and the potential salvation of mortal souls during the millennium. All members are ministers who proselytize their faith with door-to-door missionary work. Members refuse service in the armed forces, will not salute national flags or participate in politics, will not accept blood transfusions (but will accept all other forms of medical treatment) and discourage smoking, drunkenness, and gambling. Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) George Fox in England in the seventeenth century began preaching against organized churches, professing a doctrine of the Inner Light. The more than 113,000 Quakers believe in reliance on the Inner Light and the voice of God's Holy Spirit experienced within each person. Meetings are characterized by quiet meditation without ritual or sermon. Quakers are active in peace, education, and social welfare movements. They refuse to bear arms or take oaths; earlier schisms are still reflected in three main affiliations of Friends. Unitarian Universalist Association This denomination resulted from the merger of the Universalist Church of America (organized in 1779) and the American Unitarian Association (founded in 1825). Its 171,000 members profess no creed. Their strong social, ethical, and humanitarian concerns are manifest in the search for religious truth through freedom of belief. Theists, humanists, and agnostics are accepted in religious fellowship. The focus is on creation of a worldwide interfaith religious community and many members come from other denominations and religions.