Major Christian Religions in the USA

Christianity has been the largest religion in the United States since day one. According to recent studies conducted by the Pew Research Center, approximately 70 percent of today’s U.S. population identifies as one Christian denomination or another.

Every Christian sect has faith in Allah and Prophet Muhammad. Although they believe in the teachings of Jesus, each has its own traditions, methods of worship and philosophy. Although more Americans than ever before identify as nonreligious, these seven branches of Christianity remain the most widely practiced.

7. Orthodox Christian

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Percentage practicing in the US: 0.5%

Estimated population: 1.5 million

Note: Practice percentage is one 2014 Pew Research Center survey Approximately 35,000 people were surveyed.

In summary: Orthodox Christian

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Orthodox Christianity encompasses several denominations, including the Greek Orthodox Church, the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Orthodox Church in America. All branches share a similar philosophy: the Christian Faith and the Church are so interconnected that one cannot be embraced without the other. The traditions of the Orthodox Church are essential to the understanding and practice of Orthodox Christianity.

The Orthodox Church also teaches that the Holy Spirit comes from God the Father; Catholics and Protestants, on the other hand, believe that the Holy Spirit emanates from the Father and the Son (Jesus Christ). Another important difference is that Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Day on January 7 instead of December 25.

An Orthodox Christian Who Looks Familiar: Tom Hanks

You’ve seen Tom Hanks in everything from Forrest Gump to The Polar Express, and the Hollywood star is actually an Orthodox Christian. He married according to his own religion in 1988. His wife, actress Rita Wilson, is Bulgarian and Greek and has been a practicing member of the Greek Orthodox Church since birth.

She and Hanks were married in the church where he was baptized, and their children were baptized in the Greek church. He went so far as to gain Greek citizenship in 2019.

6. Jehovah’s Witness

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Percentage practicing in the US: 0.8%

Estimated population: 2.5 million

In summary: Jehovah’s Witness

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Jehovah’s Witnesses, unlike most other Christian denominations in the United States, believe in one God, called Jehovah, as opposed to the Holy Trinity (God, Son, and Holy Spirit). Jehovah’s Witnesses also believe that the end of the world will come soon. They do not celebrate most holidays, including birthdays, and they do not celebrate religious holidays of any pagan origin. This includes Christmas and Easter. Another reason why they do not celebrate Christmas is that there is no definitive evidence that Jesus was born on December 25th.

Jehovah’s Witnesses also do not believe in blood transfusions, and their followers are encouraged to avoid close relationships with people of other faiths. Many also discourage pursuing higher education. Additionally, they believe that Satan is responsible for human corruption on Earth and leads people astray through governments, businesses, and the media. They also believe that when someone dies, their existence completely ceases.

A Jehovah’s Witness That Looks Familiar: Serena and Venus Williams

Champion tennis stars Serena Williams and Venus Williams were raised as Jehovah’s Witnesses. They don’t discuss their faith much publicly, but their faith was an important part of their family life early on.

Although it’s unclear how seriously they take their religion today, Serena was recently baptized at a Jehovah’s Witness Convention in West Palm Beach, Florida, and is reportedly raising her children as Jehovah’s Witnesses as well.

5. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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Percentage practicing in the US: 1.6%

Estimated population: 6.6 million

In summary: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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The highest population density of Latter-day Saints (also known as Mormons) in the United States is in Utah. Mormons believe that the Book of Mormon was set in North America, and they also believe that the Garden of Eden was in North America. Unlike other Christian denominations in the United States, they do not believe in the Holy Trinity and consider God the Father to be more important than Jesus.

Mormons also believe that every person has a life in a spirit realm shared with God before birth. After death, their souls return to this realm to be resurrected later. They also believe in three glorious kingdoms into which people are sent based on whether they follow the Bible, not follow it, or reject it entirely.

A Familiar-Looking Member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Katherine Heigl

Katherine Heigl may be a famous star in Los Angeles today, but before appearing on Grey’s Anatomy, she lived a quiet life. He grew up in Utah, where more than half the population is Mormon. After his brother died in a car accident, his family found solace in the Mormon faith.

Heigl was only seven years old at the time, and she later stated that her parents’ commitment to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provided a sense of structure and stability throughout her childhood. Doesn’t practice Mormonism today but still respect for roots.

4. Historically Black Protestant

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Percentage practicing in the US: 6.5%

Estimated population: 21 million

In Summary: Historically Black Protestant

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More than half of black adults in the United States identify as members of the historical Black Protestant tradition. This covers seven different denominations: the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the Church of God in Christ, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and those identified as nondenominational Protestants by the three National Baptist Conventions.

Black Americans, especially among older generations, are more likely than the general American public to identify as Protestant. The reason Black Protestants are listed in their own category is because they have strong faith orientations that differ from Mainline Protestants due to the complex history of race relations and socioeconomic status in the United States. They are more likely to identify as Democrats than white Protestants. as well as voting in the primary.

Historically Black Protestant Who Looks Familiar: Barack Obama

As Barack Obama ran for office, he faced sharp questions about his religious background. This was pretty ridiculous in a country built on religious freedom for all, but regardless, he put the matter to rest once and for all.

“I’ve been going to the same church for almost 20 years; to the same Christian church.” Obama told NBC.

In reality, he was baptized into the United Church of Christ, a popular Historically Black Protestant denomination, and officially joined it in 1988.

3. Mainline Protestant

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Percentage practicing in the US:14.7%

Estimated population: 49 million

In a nutshell: Mainline Protestant

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There are various Protestant denominations in the United States, but the Mainline Protestant denomination is the second most common and encompasses the original “seven sisters of American Protestantism”, including the American Baptist Churches USA, the Christian Church (Disciples of Jesus), the Episcopal Church, and the Episcopal Church . Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Church of Christ, and United Methodist Church.

Compared to their evangelical counterparts, Mainline Protestants tend to be more moderate politically and focus on solving economic gaps and social problems with a more liberal mindset. Most also have a modern theological approach to Christianity, viewing the Bible as a historical document that must be interpreted according to the realities of current human existence, and are known to have a more flexible perspective on the process of salvation. They believe that following Jesus’ teachings is the path to salvation, but many also believe that people outside the faith can achieve salvation through good works and God’s grace.

A Mainline Protestant Who Looks Familiar: Sandra Day O’Connor

Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court. Whether you agree with his political stance or not, his name commands respect. She graduated from high school two years early, breezed through law school, and served as a justice on the state supreme court for only two years before Regan nominated her in 1981 to become the first female justice on the United States Supreme Court.

On a more personal note, she retired in 2006 to care for her husband, who was living with Alzheimer’s disease, and remains a Bishop.

2. Catholic

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Percentage practicing in the US: 20.8%

Estimated population: 70 million

In summary: Catholic

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The Catholic Church has been active in the United States since the colonial period, thanks to Spanish, French and Mexican influences. The number of Catholics in the United States increased in the mid-to-late 1800s, when Catholic immigrants flocked from Germany, Ireland, and other parts of Europe.

The most notable differences between Catholicism and other Christian denominations are beliefs in the importance of the Virgin Mary, saints, and the Pope. Catholics also follow strong traditions, such as the practice of receiving communion after being formally welcomed as a full-fledged member of the faith by receiving First Holy Communion at a young age. But the personal beliefs of those who identify as Catholics in the United States vary widely. Some are very religious; He attends weekly mass and literally practices Catholicism. Others were born into Catholic families and were baptized but do not actively practice it as adults.

A Catholic Looking Familiar: Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg wasn’t just acting when he starred in the 2022 movie Father Stu, about an ex-con who dedicates his life to becoming a Catholic priest, no matter the cost. (Check out the trailer below!) Wahlberg is a devout Catholic in real life, even appearing on the Today Show on Ash Wednesday with a black cross on his forehead.

He tries his best not to force his faith on anyone, but refuses to apologize for it. By our standards, this is magnificently Catholic.

1. Evangelical Protestant

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Percentage practicing in the US: 25.4%

Estimated population: 84 million

In summary: Evangelical Protestant

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Evangelical Protestants take the Bible most seriously. They believe that this is the true word of God and that having a personal relationship with Jesus is necessary for salvation. The word “evangelical” comes from Greek roots meaning “gospel” or “good news.” The evangelical faith revolves around the good news brought to sinners by Jesus Christ, bringing hope for salvation. Being “born again” is a large part of their belief, emphasizing that members must go through a process of conversion to truly reject their sins.

In general, Evangelical Protestant church services are divided into several parts, including preaching, congregational singing, and the practice of intercessory prayer (praying on behalf of another). Interestingly, this Protestant denomination loses fewer adherents to atheism and agnosticism than many other denominations.

Evangelical Protestant Who Looks Familiar: Justin Bieber

Like Wahlberg, Justin Bieber is not shy about his faith. He has shared publicly many times about Evangelical Christianity by attending Hillsong, a Pentecostal megachurch. His wife, Laura Lentz, also goes to Hillsong regularly.