1. Church of Scotland:
- this is an official Church of the country which was established by Parliament but Parliament in London don’t decide about this church,
- in Scotland, they decide about their church -> they have its own organization and all priests are equal; they choose elders who create something like government but members of it are on the same level like another priests,
- this church is separated from the Anglican Church,
- it has Presbyterian form of Protestantism,
- it appoints its own organization (all priests are on the same level – they are equal),
- it is not subject to parliamentary discussion or modification.
2. History of the Church of Scotland:
- it started in 16th century,
- John Knox is the founder of the Church of Scotland,
- it has government where elders work (but there is no hierarchy; they are on the same level like another priests – they are equal),
- both men and women are admitted to the ministry (they both can be priests).
3. Free churches:
- they aren’t established by Parliament,
- they originated after reformation (criticism of how the church behaved was one of the main reasons of reformation which was started by Martin Luther),
- each church has own form of religious organization (but each of them has no hierarchy -> no archbishops and bishops and all priests are equal there),
- both men and women are admitted to the ministry (they both can be priests),
- the services are very simple (no very ornamented/decorated).
4. The Methodist Church:
- it originated in the 18th century,
- John Wesley is the founder of this Church,
- in 1932, Union of most Methodist Churches was created,
- it is quite popular in areas where people need help (disabled people, sick people or simply poor people because they want to help people and do social work) mainly in Northern regions and in Wales.
5. The Salvation Army:
- it is rather religious organization (members of it wear special uniforms),
- William Booth is the founder of this organization,
- it has some aims like preaching and doing social work among the poor (to provide places to sleep, meals and clothes for poor),
- it is something like Military organization,
- Major, general is the head of this organization -> the most important person.
6. The Baptist Church:
- one of the oldest free churches,
- most churches are grouped in association of churches,
- there is The Baptist Union of Great Britain in Great Britain,
- they reject infant baptism,
- it is mainly popular in Wales,
- churches are really simple buildings.
7. Free churches:
The United Reformed Church -> it appeared in 1972 when two churches joined: Congregational Church and Presbyterian Church; it is mainly popular in Wales,
The Quakers (real name is The Society of Friends) -> it appeared in 17th century; they don’t have priests - no ministers – you talk to God by yourself; there is no organised services; they refuse to serve in the armed forces (not having weapons).
8. Other free churches:
The Presbyterian Church,
The Unitarian Church,
House-church movement,
The Jehovah’s Witnesses,
The Mormon Church.
9. Roman Catholic Church:
- in 16th century -> the hierarchy extinct,
- it was restored in 19th century,
- the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster is the head of this church (he works in Westminster Cathedral),
- the area is divided into 8 provinces which are divided into dioceses,
- there are schools for Catholic children (parents send children there).
10. Other religious communities: (they aren’t Christian):
- The Jewish Faith:
Orthodox - the Chief Rabbi and Liberal,
- Muslims:
The Islamic cultural centre,
London Central Mosque,
- Sikh and Hindu communities:
150 temples,
- Buddhist groups:
200 centres,
7 monasteries.
11. Cooperation among churches:
The British Council of Churched (it organizes the cooperation of all churches),
Ecumenical movement.
12. Attendance:
1/6 of adult population are members of a Christian church,
lowest membership is in England – only 13%,
highest membership is in Northern Ireland – 80%,
there is decline in membership of larger Christian churches,
the number of new faiths is growing.