西方信仰.docVIP

西方信仰 甘肃的Maggie问： Rudi你好，不瞒你说，我对西方的宗教是一窍不通，什么天主教啦，基督教啦，就搞不清楚它们是怎么一回事。所以，我就想借这个栏目来请你帮我讲讲西方的宗教到底是怎么一回事，是不是跟中国的佛教、道教的关系差不多？谢谢！ Rudi： Maggie，你好。我想很多读者可能对这个概念都不是很清楚，因为就西方来讲，宗教派系非常繁多，错综复杂，与中国的情形相差很大。所以，应你的要求，我就尽量详细地说明一下西方的宗教概况，希望能帮你理出一个头绪来。 Denominations All Christians regard Jesus as the son of God. However, Christianity consists of several different denominations. The differences in these denominations are in the way that members practice their beliefs and how they interpret the Bible. The largest denomination is Roman Catholic. In the 16th century large numbers of Christians ①broke with the Roman Catholic Church and formed their own denominations. These groups are known as Protestants (the word literally means ‘protesters’). There are also several denominations in the East that come under Eastern Orthodox Christians. The following are some of the main denominations in the West: 1. Roman Catholic - The Roman Catholic Church has a history of almost 2000 years and currently has one billion members, making it the largest and oldest religious institution in the world. Roman Catholics accept the Pope as their spiritual leader and believe that he is the latest successor in an uninterrupted line of Popes that goes back to Peter, the chief of the Apostles. The Roman Catholic Church regards itself as the original Church of Christ. 2. Anglican - Anglicans are found worldwide and worship in national churches which generally follow the teachings of the Church of England. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the head of the Anglican Church but, unlike the Pope, is only a symbolic leader with no authority outside of England. 3. Presbyterian - The set up of the Presbyterian Church is very complex and difficult to define. This denomination has its origins in Calvinism. Elders sitting as a ‘Kirk session’ are responsible for the discipline of the Church. Presbyterians are known for their belief in simplicity, such as singing without the accompaniment of musical instru