What (if any) is your religious affiliation

[Towncrier]

As I sat at dinner on Friday evening, I was wondering just what religious sects are represented here on the DIS and in what proportions. Chalk my curiosity up to me being a preacher's kid. If I have left out your particular organized (or DISorganized) religion, I apologize up front. I have led a very sheltered life in those regards. I checked another website and found the following top 10 list on the Adherents.com (http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html) website:

Religion Members
-------------------- ----------------------
Christianity 1.9 billion
Islam 1.1 billion
Hinduism 781 million
Buddhism 324 million
Sikhism 19 million
Judaism 14 million
Baha'ism 6.1 million
Confucianism 5.3 million
Jainism 4.9 million
Shintoism 2.8 million

My list is going to be a bit different as I am more interested in the distribution within the United States. And yes, I know that I left out the pagans, rastafarians, scientologists, and a whole slew of other organized religious groups. And since it's my poll, I decided to split Christianity into two groups (even though there are most certainly more). I may regret posting this poll, but my curiosity got the better of me. I think that I need to spend a few hours on the website that I referenced earlier in this thread. There's a lot of very interesting information contained there.

[Towncrier]

I just read an interesting tidbit on the above website that states that the "The United Methodist Church is the third largest religious body in the United States and the largest Methodist body in the world." Perhaps I should have considered the following chart about organized religious groups in the United States when I made up my poll:

Rank - Religious Body - (Year) Membership
1 Catholic Church (1999) 62,391,484
2 Southern Baptist Convention (1999) 15,851,756
3 United Methodist Church (1999) 8,333,770
4 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2000) 5,208,827
5 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (2000) 5,125,919
6 Church of God in Christ (1991) 5,000,000
7 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1999) 3,561,184
8 National Baptist Convention of America (1987) 3,500,000
9 Assemblies of God (2000) 2,577,560
10 Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (2000) 2,526,919

I find this all very fascinating.

[nanalisa]

You are a brave, brave man. I belong to the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ. It's not on your list, but I would say we are closest to the Methodist Church.

[Helopoh]

I be completely honest my religious upbringing was so warped I am not sure I am any one religion. I choose other. My mother said I was lutherian (sp) but I went with my godmother to a Catholic Church. My Grandmother said I was Prodestant (sp) but I am not sure they even know. What is worse DH attended a episcopalian (sp) church (pissed off alien is what Dorian calls it because he can't say the word and I can't spell it) so I did for a few years. My son was Blessed in Abyssinian Baptist Church in NYC upon the insistance of his aunt because we weren't going to Bless him/ Christien him in the first place. So I have no idea but I know that whatever god is up there I am sure we are going to get to the gates of heaven or whereever and say"Shoot, we were way off!"

[ShuisFan584]

I am Catholic.

[Barb]

I was raised very strict Catholic, where going to church was the most important thing we could do on Sunday. There were very few times in our lives where we were excused from church. I raised the boys Catholic, but with the understanding that when and if the time comes, they can make their own choices. My oldest son is still a practicing Catholic, as am I. (yes, even in these terrible times, I will admit it) My middle son is attending a non denominational church where his ex girlfriend's grandfather is the minister. He likes it there and feels very comfortable there. My youngest, unfortunately, had chosen to not attend any church at this point. I am hoping that he will change that opinion as he gets older.

[JC2]

I'm a Protestant Christian :)

[Mary Jo]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/flowerface.GIF <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color=navy>Catholic here, and all three of us are active in our church.

[Chuck S]

I rarely go to church. although I consider myself a Protestant. My family and friends are divided between Baptist, Catholic, Methodist and Lutheran.

[A kid at heart]

My religion isn't listed so I marked other. I'm actually a practicing nothing. I practice no religion right now, and as for the kids I figure this way, they were baptized and will make their own minds up as to what they want. if they choose to practice a faith, so be it, if not thats ok too.

[Kermit]

I'm Protestant. We usually attend non or interdemonational churches.

[SPAGo 98]

Protestant. Same as Amy here, we go to nondenominational churches. :)

[Cindy B]

Non Denominational Church of Christ. ...International Church of Christ.

[helenabear]

Practicing Roman Catholic here :)

[candykisses]

I'm Roman Catholic

[RoutemanDan]

I was raised Catholic but stopped believing around the same time I stopped believing in Santa Claus.

[binny]

Protestant

Was raised a Nazarene PK but now I find that fairly painful to go to. I always compare the pastor to my dad for some reason... so we choose to attend a Christain Church it used to be a First Church of Christ but now theyve changed their name.


When we move back home we will go back to our "home church" a Friends (Quaker) Church

[Miss Jasmine]

I am a protestant Christian and attend a nondenominational church.

[Princess Michelle]

I'm a Christian who attends an Assemblies of God Church so... Protestant. :)

[slimplaw]

Another Disciples of Christ(Christian Church) member.

[jx3smom]

I was raised Lutheran and my boys are being raised Lutheran. Dh changed from the Catholic to the Lutheran church when DS was baptized.

[Marion]

Pagan :D

[Towncrier]

Thanks everyone for remaining civilized in your answers to my poll. I know that religion is a hot topic for a lot of people. I again apologize for generalizing the choices and for my omissions. I realized soon after posting the poll that I had left out the Orthodox churches. I once dated a girl who a member of the Eastern Orthodox church. That's probably why I stopped dating her. Not that I disagreed with her beliefs, but because I knew that I could never live up to the standards of the rituals of her church. I don't know if I mentioned that my dad spent the majority of his career as a Methodist/United Methodist minister. When he retired, he found a United Church of Christ congregation in his community that was without a pastor. So for the next 5 years, he was a UCC minister. He finally retired from that and is now just a general nuisance. :)

As I mentioned before, it wasn't until I explored the website that I referred to in my initial post that I realized just how diverse and varied the religions of the world are. I really have led a sheltered life. I hope and pray that I haven't offended anyone with my poll. I truly was just curious.

Thanks to all who have responded.

[ead79]

I am a Christian and a member of a Baptist church, so I chose Protestant.

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Interesting website, TC. Thanks for the link. :)

I voted Protestant. My father was Methodist, my mother Southern Baptist, and the church I've attended most is Southern Baptist.

My own personal philosophy is closest to Deist. From the adherents.com site --

"Deists: Those who believe in God, or at least a divine principle, but follow few if any of the other tenets and practices of Christianity (compare with Theists, who believe in a personal God). Developed in the 17th and 18th centuries, Deism envisions a kind of clock-maker God who set the universe in motion but then let it run on its own, calling into question the Jewish and Christian notion of God's intervention in history. A number of prominent early Americans, including Ben Franklin, were Deists, along with French Englightenment figures Voltaire and Rousseau. "

[zurgswife]

Swedenborgian....A christian religion..also refered to as The Church of the New Jerusalem..so I voted Other....

[tc]

I am a Christian attending a non-denominational church.

[Talking Hands]

I am Southern Baptist
edited to add I was raised Wiccan by my mother, accepted Christ at age 10 from a Baptist chaplain, forced to join the Episcopal church by my father at age 11 and came back to baptist when I married. So Baptist is where my heart is.

[KimRaye]

Lutheran. I guess, Other, for your poll? :confused:

[I <3 Eeyore]

Had to go with other cuz I'm of the Pagan persuasion, too. But I was raised Eastern Orthodox and my kids are Catholic. Go figure! :rolleyes:

[SPAGo 98]

Kim, that'd be Protestant. ;) :)

[NancyIL]

I grew up as a Protestant church "mutt." You name the denomination, and I've probably attended there! I have been an Orthodox Christian for 7 years - so I voted for "other."

[albiats]

I voted 'Other'.

I'm a Southern Baptist.

[shep]

I am Catholic, but I practice Southern Baptist..:)

[Planogirl]

I was raised Lutheran and I still believe so I voted "Protestant". Would a Protestant be defined as a non-Catholic Christian? DH was raised as a Catholic and I'll have to ask him about this.

[gabylin]

I'm Catholic but I enjoy a good Baptist Choir, our songs are so monotone...

[KimRaye]

Hes, I'm just not sure about that. I know I'd say Lutheran (again), of course, first, Christian second and Protestant, 3rd (I'm not sure). :confused: I've been questioning and inquiring about several religions lately and, I'm not sure about my own knowledge. :confused: Catholicism and Judaism have really thrown me a curve I never learned before! I thought I needed to know what separates/makes us different but, I'm finding I WANT to know WHY! More than What, is Why.??

Geesh, I'm tiring even the debaters! :rolleyes: 'Nite.

[TeresaNJ]

I'm Catholic, DH is Methodist. I went to Catholic grade school and public high school. All my kids were baptized Catholic, and the boys went to Catholic grade school until 3rd and 4th grade respectively until I pulled them out. I still believe in alot of the Catholic teachings, but there are many I don't agree with. :)

[Boots]

I am a United Methodist and very active in my church. Thanks for asking.

[Patabel]

Practicing Catholic...my entire family is.

[browneyes]

Have you ever heard of Southern Baptists?:D

[Baboo]

I'm a Protestant, but DH and the kids are Catholic and I attend church with them. I just haven't converted and won't either because there are things I don't agree with, but I figure that it's the same God and He won't mind which house I worship in, as long as I do.

[Steve H.]

Born, raised, semi-practicing Roman Catholic. :)

[glo]

Roman Catholic here as is everyone in my family. Kids go to Catholic Schools and we attend mass most Sundays...hows that John?

[Deb in IA]

My dad's family was/is Buddist. My mom was raised (in China!) in the Presbyterian church, but after she married Dad and came to the US, she stopped going to church.

I was raised without any religious affliation.

In 6th grade, my best friend invited me to go to her church. It was a Southern Baptist church. After about a year or two, I joined that church. In a few years, my younger sister also joined that church.

In college, I was a very sporadic church goer, and in med school, I almost never went (too busy studying!!).

In med school, I met my DH, who was raised Episcopalian. When we married 5 years later, we had our ceremony in my Southern Baptist church with his Episcopal priest!!:eek: :eek:

After our kids were born, we decided we need to introduce them to a formal religion. DH only felt comfortable in what he grew up in, so we joined the Episcopal church. I was received by the Bishop of Iowa, and both our kids were baptised Episcopalians.

[Keli]

:) Apostolic Pentecostal:)

[Buckalew]

I'm a Southern Baptist who doesn't boycott Disney. :D

[Dan Murphy]

Roman Catholic.

[krazyboutWDW]

Roman Catholic

[christineann]

Episcopalian, traditional.

[CynJ]

I am agnostic bordering on out and out right athesism. I believe more in science than I do faith.

Isn't that a wonderful thing about living in this country? We all have the right to practice or not practice the religion of our choice.

[Liz]

I was raised United Methodist and later converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (which now has over 11 million members).

[Tigger1]

I am Methodist. Never a Mormon.

[Pembo]

Towncrier, the PK, stirring up trouble!!! :)

DH is a United Church of Christ Minister better known as the Liberals!!!

I'm a United Methodist, born and bred!!

[wdwfam]

We are members of the Church of Christ - which is not really listed anywhere.:)

[MaryJ]

I was raised in the United Church of Christ and attended there until about 3 years ago when my family left to attend a non-denominational church. Guess that makes us Protestant.

[Catzeyes]

Lutheran

[mhopset]

I'm a member of The United Pentecostal Church International.

When I go to church that is:D

[jimmiej]

I checked Protestant, but I'm really Southern Baptist. I accepted Christ as my savior at the age of ten. I became an ordained deacon of the church at the age of 26. DW & DD'S are all born-again Christians also. My mother is a Christian(Southern Baptist), but my father doesn't attend. I worry about his future :+( DW's parents are Christians but only some of the siblings practice the faith.

[jimmiej]

OOPS!!!! My "sad face" ended up in the wrong place-I'm not really unhappy about being a Southern Baptist. LOL!!!

[tigercat]

I was raised in various Christian churches but am now a Baha'i.
tigercat

[Jennyfyar]

My two DD's and I are Catholic. My DH has no religious affliation.

[6_Time_Momma]

Color me confused, but I always thought any Christian group that was non-Catholic was pretty much considered Protestant. Apparently that is incorrect??:confused:

[AF Brenda]

No, you are correct Kristy.

[Pam]

Protestant. Grew up attending the Church of God (which my great-grandfather built) but after the preacher left and the Church closed its doors, our family has attended the local Methodist Church for the past 3.5 years.

Pam

[Tarheel Tink]

Protestant- Christian Scientist (The Church of Christ, Scientist).

[Towncrier]

:bounce:

[Towncrier]

Since there is a current thread about attending church (Do you got to church? (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=650913)), I thought that I'd dust off this 2 year old poll and see if anyone else would like to vote.

[Deb in IA]

Protestant. Episcopalian.

[Towncrier]

Deb - You already answered on page 3. ::yes::

[Danauk]

I guess from that list I would say I am a protestant. I attand a Church of England church mainly and sometimes go to a baptist church. I just consider myself a christian though rather than a specific denomination.

[Towncrier]

Now I remember the problem with the original poll. I suppose that my trying to lump non-Catholic Christians into the "Protestant" category was naive on my part.

[Deb in IA]

Originally posted by Towncrier
Deb - You already answered on page 3. ::yes::

Oooopsies!!!

No wonder I couldn't vote on the poll!!

At least my answer was the same . . . :o

[Robinrs]

I am a nondenominational Christian, and btw, not "religious" at all! :p

Funny, John, a friend of mine asked me this same exact question today. She couldn't believe I didn't say "Baptist" or "Catholic" and I had to explain it to her, too!

[binny]

Originally posted by binny
Protestant

Was raised a Nazarene PK but now I find that fairly painful to go to. I always compare the pastor to my dad for some reason... so we choose to attend a Christain Church it used to be a First Church of Christ but now theyve changed their name.


When we move back home we will go back to our "home church" a Friends (Quaker) Church

Wow how things have changed in 2 1/2 years!
I went back and read this post after someone else bumped it.
We no longer go to that Church. :(
Now we are back at a Nazarene Church and as I said in my last post, it feels like coming home. This Pastor is nothing like my dad ( or many of the other Nazarene minsiters Ive met) so I dont have the comparison issue to deal with anymore.
The really nice thing is there are people there that have known me since I was a baby and people who went to college with my mom. Im a 4th generation Nazarene and while no one in my family has attended church in this town we've known others from all over the country.

Its pretty amazing what time and space can do for a person with a little help from God :)

[HollyJoy]

I was raised in the Disciples of Christ Church (Protestant), and now attend a non-denominational church.

[totalia]

I'm Wiccan (a modern day white witch. Though I hate describing it in those terms, its the easiest way for others to understand).

[trishy]

Old thread, but very interesting and civilized. WOW!

Athiest

[cats7494]

We are United Methodists and very active in our church... I grew up Missouri Synod Lutheran - went to a Lutheran school from 1st to graduation of High school...I am more comfortable with Methodist.

Interesting poll!

[mtblujeans]

The figures are interesting! Some larger membered groups you never hear from. Some smaller numbered groups, everyone recognizes! I don't go to church but I have been raised Protestant.

[DisneyAddict_M]

Other.

[caitycaity]

i consider myself a secular humanist (http://www.wash.org/), but usually i just tell people i am atheist.

[alabamaalan]

John, you can add me as one who divides Christians into Catholics and Protestants as well.

For myself, I am in the Southern Baptist denomination. You mean there are other kinds? :confused3 :teeth:

[Toby'sFriend]

United Methodist although my children attend a Lutheran school.

[luvsTink]

Webster says a protestant is:
a member of any of several church denominations denying the universal authority of the Pope and affirming the Reformation principles of justification by faith alone, the priesthood of all believers, and the primacy of the Bible as the only source of revealed truth; broadly : a Christian not of a Catholic or Eastern church

therefore, I am protestant of the United Methodist persuasion

Anne

[snoopy]

Culturally Catholic. :crazy:

[The LK 4]

I was raised Roman Catholic, and still consider myself to be one, except that now we attend DH's Byzantine Catholic church.

[Galahad]

Protestant - Methodist

Dad was Jewish, Mom Protestant Christian. Spent most of the time in Presbyterian Church. Joined Methodist church a few years ago.

[mickeyfan1]

Other, IPU

[Cebhfhionn]

I would have to say that I'm Wiccan if anything.

[palmtreegirl]

I was raised Catholic but left the church years ago, I've only been back for family funerals.

Now I'm really not affliated with any church. I was shopping around for a couple years but I never found one. We went to a chicken dinner at a United Methodist Church and they all seemed very nice, maybe I'll go down there and check them out.

It's hard because I'm not really sure what I believe, although I do believe in God.

[Denine]

I was raised a Protestant (Congregationalist), but I have been married for 13 years to a Catholic. When I go to church, it is with him. Our DD was baptized Catholic.

[jerrysboy40]

Amish

[frndshpcptn]

Conservative Jewish

[nkjzmom]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints



I'm trying to understand this statement...I hope it was just a funny reply to Liz's post.


Originally posted by Tigger1
I am Methodist. Never a Mormon.

[llij]

Practicing Roman Catholic here! :sunny:

[MAC3]

I'm Roman Catholic (brought up very strict) but haven't been practicing lately! :eek:

[rae519]

Catholic and proud to be one. It is my source of comfort and strength.

Rae

[Otto's Doll]

I am Protestant - we belong to the Presbyterian Church (USA) where I am an ordained Deacon.

[ElizK]

I'm a Protestant. I grew up without any religion, became a Christian when I was 28, was baptized in a non-denominational Christian Church, and now belong to a Baptist church.

[WDWLVR]

Practicing Roman Catholic

[beattyfamily]

I don't think I answered this year; forgive me if I did...

I'm a proud, practicing Roman Catholic.

My parents were Catholic but stopped practicing by the time I was born so I was not baptized and didn't receive any of the other sacraments.

I went to a Catholic school from 1st to 6th grade only because it was the only school in Macau that taught in English rather than Chinese. I was actually jealous of the other kids going to Confession and Communion during class!:teeth: I thought even then that the Mass was so beautiful. I enjoyed our daily religious class too. I actually thought I'd be a nun for a bit when I was around 10 years old!

Then we came back to the US and my parents never went to Church but I always felt so close to God. I started a job in Boston (around the same time I married my DH) and after a couple of years there a co-worker and good friend there started bringing us to her 'lunchtime' Church with her and the fire was ignighted inside me again. I was bapized, Confirmed and received First Communion (along with my DH) at the age of 30 and my co-worker is now my Godmother. My DH was Methodist and converted so we went through the whole process together. Its nice to be the same religion as my DH and to go through the whole process of becoming Catholic with him.

I think because I chose my religion as an adult, I appreciate it more than I would have if I were just born into. I went to RCIA and learned all about it as an adult and chose it as an adult. I wasn't born into it...even though my parents were Catholic; they weren't practicing.

This year, my older DD recieved First Communion at the same Church I did and both DDs were baptized there too. It feels great!:teeth:

[scrappinMickey]

Non-Denominational/Word of Faith:wave2:

[llij]

Originally posted by beattyfamily
I don't think I answered this year; forgive if I did...

I'm a proud, practicing Roman Catholic.

My parents were Catholic but stopped practicing by the time I was born so I was not baptized and didn't receive any of the other sacraments.

I went to a Catholic school from 1st to 6th grade only because it was the only school in Macau that taught in English rather than Chinese. I was actually jealous of the other kids going to Confession and Communion during class!:teeth: I thought even then that the Mass was so beautiful. I enjoyed our daily religious class too. I actually thought I'd be a nun for a bit when I was around 10 years old!

Then we came back to the US and my parents never went to Church but I always felt so close to God. I started a job in Boston (around the same time I married my DH) and after a couple of years there a co-worker and good friend there started bringing us to her 'lunchtime' Church with her and the fire was ignighted inside me again. I was bapized, Confirmed and received First Communion (along with my DH) at the age of 30 and my co-worker is now my Godmother. My DH was Methodist and converted so we went through the whole process together. Its nice to be the same religion as my DH and go through the whole process of becoming Catholic together.

I think because I chose my religion as an adult, I appreciate it more than I would have if I were just born into. I went to RCIA and learned all about it as an adult and chose it as an adult. I wasn't born into it...even though my parents were Catholic; they weren't practicing.

This year, my older DD recieved First Communion at the same Church I did and both DDs were baptized there too. It feels great!:teeth:

Beattyfamily,

That is wonderful!! Thanks for sharing your story! RCIA is wonderful! :wave2:

[Towncrier]

:bounce: Anyone remember this poll??? :bounce:

[Laurajean1014]

Practicing Roman Catholic Christian :lovestruc

[Bob Slydell]

Born, raised and still currently a Roman Catholic. :)

[mtblujeans]

Bumpity Bump

[Toby'sFriend]

yep, still a Methodist. :)

[JennyMominRI]

My religion is Judaism,but I am not yet Jewish,if that makes sense.
I was a Cradle Catholic,a baptists for a short time and studdied with a few other Christian religions

[Talking Hands]

Color me confused, but I always thought any Christian group that was non-Catholic was pretty much considered Protestant. Apparently that is incorrect??:confused:
Many Christian churches like the So Baptists prefer not to be considered merrely Protestant. So technically you are correct but not all agree with that.

[JennyMominRI]

I *think* the term protestant was coined to differentiate churches who protested Catholic beliefs... Examples would be COE,Luterans Baptists(anabaptists) Presbeterians etc..There are churches today that have no such history...Mormons..Jehovah's Witnesess were not *protesting* anything..They did not develop during the Reformation or COunter-reformation therefor technically they are not Protestant

[Beastlover]

I was born and raised Catholic, but when I got married I changed to Lutheran. THere is no Lutheran or Christian, so I chose Catholic.

[wdw4life]

I was raised Baptist. I'm attending a non denominational church but I still consider myself Baptist.

[pfishgirl]

I'm a Pagan... :teeth:

I was brought up Christian (Presbyterian) (sp)
but I was kicked out of Sunday School for asking too many of the "wrong types" of questions.....