Concept
Religious denomination
Overview
A religious denomination is a subgroup within a religion that operates under a common name and tradition, among other activities.
The term refers to the various Christian denominations (for example, non-Chalcedonian, Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, and the branches of Protestantism, such as Lutheranism). It is also used to describe the five major branches of Judaism (Karaite Judaism, Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist). Within Islam, it can refer to the religion's branches or sects (such as Sunni and Shia), as well as their various subdivisions, such as sub-sects, schools of jurisprudence, schools of theology and religious movements. (E.g., the Ismaili and Twelver sub-sects of Shia Islam, or the Islamic movements of Nur Cemaati and Salafiyya(h).)
The world's largest religious denomination is Sunni Islam.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Possible passages
Found by search and not yet checked by a person; they may only mention the idea in passing.
But by sacred things one must not understand simply those personal beings which are called gods or spirits; a rock, a tree, a spring, a pebble, a piece of wood, a house, in a word, anything can be sacred. A rite can have this character; in fact, the rite does not exist which does not have it to a certain degree.
Émile Durkheim, The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life
States what Religious denomination is.
"Piety," again, or, as the Greeks say, εὐσέβεια, is commonly understood as the proper designation of the worship of God. Yet this word also is used of dutifulness to parents. The common people, too, use it of works of charity, which, I suppose, arises from the circumstance that God enjoins the performance of such works, and declares that He is pleased with them instead of, or in preference to sacrifices. From this…
of Hippo Augustine, The City of God, Volume I
States what Religious denomination is.
There is one Flock, with one Shepherd. [John 10:16] The Church is the Body of which Christ is the Head. [Col. 1:18, Eph 1:22, 23] ITS NAMES. The Church is called _Holy_, because the Holy Spirit works in it and through it, and because its members, though not perfect, lead holy lives. It is called _Christian_, because it consists of those who believe in Christ. It is called _Catholic_ or Universal, because it is meant…
Martin Luther, An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism
States what Religious denomination is.
Related ideas
- Eastern Orthodox Church
- Hinduism
- Halakha
- India
- Judaism
- Christians
- Twelver Shi'ism
- Orthodox Judaism
- Pakistan
- Lutheranism
- Religion
- Protestantism
- Reform Judaism
- East Africa
- Shia Islam
- Shaivism
- Spirituality
- Sunni Islam
- Pew Research Center
- Irreligion
- Buddhism
- Secularity
- Clergy
- Christianity
Opposing perspectives
Place in the tradition
Part of American philosophy.