More than 88% of the US population consider themselves believers. It is safe to say that America occupies a leading position among developed countries in terms of the number of religious population.
Spiritual legacy
US religion is quite democratic and dynamic. Its distinguishing feature is differentiation. Recently, many new religious movements and directions have appeared in the United States in existing religious organizations. Therefore, it is difficult to unequivocally answer the question of what religion is in the United States. Strict adherence to tradition is no longer in vogue. And yet, a few indigenous people are trying to preserve the memory of the past. They are the followers of the ancient religion of the Incas, who once lived in North America.
The history of the development of religion in America
The history of religion in the United States is full of many events. Historically, America has been a Protestant state for a long time. This was due to the fact that after the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus, emigrants from various countries began to come here. The northeastern part of the United States was occupied by British emigrants, who were persecuted by the Anglican Church. They were against the imposition of Catholicism. Pilgrimsestablished rigid religious foundations in the new land. Entertainment of any kind was considered a mortal sin.
Gradually, many Protestant trends formed in America. This happened due to the fact that emigrants from various countries considered it necessary to establish their principles and foundations on the new land, since they believed that it belonged to no one.
North America at that time was inhabited by Indian tribes who had previously arrived from Asia. First they settled in Alaska, then migrated to America.
At the end of the 17th century, the population of America was conditionally divided into black slaves and the white population, which accounted for 98% of all Americans. They were all Protestants.
South America began to be settled by the Spaniards, who clothed the Indians in the Catholic faith. Therefore, the population of Latin America is mostly Catholic. Other predominant religions in the US will be detailed below.
Religious Destinations
The US religion was briefly described above. I would like to delve deeper into the core beliefs of America.
Most of the US population is Christian. Approximately 55% are Protestants and 28% are Catholics. A small percentage of Jews and representatives of other religious movements also live in America. Among African Americans living in the United States, the majority are Muslims.
In the 1960s, there was a religious upsurge in the United States. By that time, there were more than a thousand religious organizations in the country. Cult movements are predominantly young people.
The predominant religions in the US are "New Age" religions. Among them are the community of the Disciples of Christ, founded back in the 19th century, Mormons, Seventh-day Adventists, Baptists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutherans, Methodists.
The main religion in the US is Christianity. Most modern currents stem from it.
Christianity
The representative of Christianity in the USA is the Orthodox Church. In 1970, she received autocephaly from the Russian Orthodox Church. There are also other churches operating in the United States under various jurisdictions, the largest of which is the American Archdiocese.
The management of the autocephalous Orthodox Church is provided to the Holy Synod. It consists of all the ruling bishops. The Synod holds sessions twice a year. There is also a permanent Small Synod between its meetings. The administrative staff includes all bishops of the church, representatives from each parish (men over 18), members of the Metropolitan Council, members of theological schools and other organizations.
The main among the bishops is the Metropolitan, who is elected by secret ballot. Under the Metropolitan is the Metropolitan Council, which includes treasurers, two representatives from each diocese, the chancellor and the Metropolitan himself. Individual dioceses are governed by bishops.
Protestants
Protestantism is one of the three branches of Christianity. When asked what religion is predominant in the United States, you cananswer as follows: "Protestantism." The movement arose after Catholicism and Orthodoxy in the era of the Reformation. Protestants in the United States are represented by a number of churches and independent denominations. The main currents of Protestantism include Lutheranism, Evangelism, Baptism, Calvinism, Anglicanism, Adventism, Pentecostalism, Methodism and many others.
At the core of the Protestant faith is the study of the Bible. Everyone should know the only source of creed and build their lives on its basis.
The main tenets of Protestantism include the ideas of the trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), Incarnation, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ.
Protestants strictly follow the decisions established by the first two Ecumenical Councils (Nicene and Constantinople). Adherents of this trend are firmly convinced that only faith and predestination can save humanity.
Differences between Protestantism and other religious movements
Protestantism has significant differences from Orthodoxy and Catholicism. They consist in altered ritual and cult activities. Protestants categorically oppose the worship of elders and saints, the veneration of icons, confessions and communion, repentance, the veneration of holy relics, the sign of the cross and monasticism (except for individual offshoots). In some Protestant churches, rites of baptism and communion are still held. But Catholics and Orthodox claim that in this performance they are not endowed with God's grace.
BasicPrayer, preaching, singing of sacred texts, and modesty in performing rituals are considered features of worship in Protestant churches.
Most Protestant organizations don't even have their own church.
What is the official religion in the US? There is none in the States. Every citizen has complete freedom of religion.
Mormons
Mormons are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the last days. This religious movement is very controversial. Rather, it is more like an occult sect, in which the Christian-Biblical beginning is manifested only externally.
The main Mormon center is located in Utah. Their main mission is to help people reach the Divine Realm. Its execution falls on the shoulders of the organizational structure created by the Church. The basis of the entire Mormon church is the congregation, which should consist of no more than 500 people. Each of them carries out missionary activities in the field. As soon as the number of people in one parish exceeds the allowable one, it is divided in half. The parish is led by a president and two of his advisors. The number of parishes in one region is also limited. If there are a lot of them in a certain territory, then a special organization is created - “kol”, which is also headed by the president.
Ordinances of the Mormons
The Mormon scriptures include the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Covenants and Doctrines, and the Pearl of Great Price.
There is no canonized prayer among Mormons. Rather, it looks like an improvisational trustturning to the Lord. A special place is occupied by the rite of baptism, which consists in three times immersion in water with the pronunciation of certain words, called the triune formula. Anyone who, for whatever reason, leaves the Mormon church subsequently does not have the right to perform this rite. This is the punishment.
Seventh-day Adventists
This Protestant movement preaches that Jesus Christ will soon descend to Earth again. At first glance it may seem that this movement is no different from the Protestant. However, several key features of the Adventist doctrine do not allow us to speak of them as Protestants. Seventh-day Adventists are more of a quasi-denomination.
Basic Adventist Doctrine
- 5 signs indicate the second coming of Jesus Christ: the fall of morality, the existence of the papacy, the increase in people's fear of future events, the emergence of Adventism, open preaching around the world.
- Along with the Bible, Seventh-day Adventists also study Ellen White's Prophecies. Almost all the doctrines of the Adventist Church are based on this "divine revelation".
- The main point of the teaching is the veneration of the Sabbath. It arose on the basis of Ellen White's vision, in which she saw how all the Divine commandments were burning with bright fire, except for one in which it was called to honor the Sabbath. Based on this, the Adventists concluded that all other religious movements apostatized from the Lord, violating this commandment, andtherefore, they cannot be accepted into the Kingdom of God. Only Seventh-day Adventists are able to be saved.
- Speaking of the soul, Adventists believe that it is mortal until the Lord resurrects it. They also deny the fact that a person can go to hell for their sins.
Over time, Seventh-day Adventist teachings have become more Protestant-like. And even Ellen White's authority began to be questioned.
Catholics
The surge of Catholicism in the United States occurred before the start of the Civil War. During this period, the Irish began to actively populate the country - Catholics. At that time, Protestants prevailed in the States, on their part, Catholics felt a prejudiced attitude towards themselves. Nevertheless, Catholics had full access to all public institutions (hospitals, schools, institutes). But over time, they began to create their own similar organizations based on the principles of Catholicism. The freedom to choose an educational institution was not oppressed. Catholics could also receive education in other public institutions.
Catholics benefited from the separation of church and state in the US. This gave people freedom of religion.
The establishment of any one religion in the US is prohibited by the constitution. Therefore, when Catholics began to actively open their educational institutions, the state did not welcome this. Religion has become too closely intertwined with the state.
An amazing country - USA. Culture, religion, history - everything merges here. Rather, from cultural foundations and arisereligious currents. It is noteworthy that young people are more interested in such spiritual development. Religion in the United States in short is a protest against the world's established dogmas.
