Changes

'''Protestantism''' is one of the three major divisions in [[Christendom]] that traces their heritage back to the [[Western Church]]. Other divisions include [[Catholicism]] and the [[Orthodox Church]].   

'''Protestantism''' is one of the three major divisions in [[Christendom]] that traces their heritage back to the [[Western Church]]. Other divisions include [[Catholicism]] and the [[Orthodox Church]].   

The founding of Protestantism (another term for Reformed Catholicism) has its origins in the [[European]] [[Reformation]] and its rejection of the doctrines and malpractices within the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. Those included the teaching and sale of [[indulgences]], the buying and selling of church positions and the systemic corruption, devotion to [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] and the [[saint]]s rather than inward devotion to faith and God, and rejection of the [[authority]] of the Pope on the basis that the only true authority is the Bible.

Protestantism began in the European [[Reformation]] oof the 16th century, especially with such reformers as [[Martin Luther]] and [[John Calvin]], ass well as [[King Henry VIII]] in England.  

== Impacts ==

== Impact ==

Protestants made the Bible available to all by publication of the Bible in the common language and universal education. The mandatory [[celibacy]] of the [[clergy]] (including monasticism) was also rejected.

Protestants made the Bible available to all by publication of the Bible in the common language and universal education. The mandatory [[celibacy]] of the [[clergy]] (including monasticism) was also rejected.

* [[Martin Luther]]'s nailing of [[The 95 Theses]] to the church doors in [[Wittenberg]] on October 31, 1517

* [[Martin Luther]]'s nailing of [[The 95 Theses]] to the church doors in [[Wittenberg]] on October 31, 1517

* In [[England]], by decree of King [[Henry VIII]] in 1533.  

* In [[England]], by decree of King [[Henry VIII]] in 1533.  

* [[John Knox]], inspired by [[John Calvin]] and aided by many [[Martyrs' Monument|martyr]]s, liberated [[Scotland]] from the yoke of [[Roman Catholic Church|Rome]] in 1560.   

* [[John Knox]], inspired by [[John Calvin]] and aided by many [[Martyrs' Monument|martyr]]s, took [[Scotland]] into the [[Presbyterian]] fold in 1560.   

== Protestantism in the United States ==

== Protestantism in the United States ==

Protestants are the largest [[Christian]] division in the United States.

Protestants are the largest Christian division in the United States.

In the United States, denominations in the Protestant division include:

In the United States, the largest Protestant denominations include:

*[[Baptist]]

*[[Baptist]]

**[[United Methodist Church]]

**[[United Methodist Church]]

*[[Lutheran]]

*[[Lutheran]]

*[[Presbyterian]]/[[Reformed]]

*[[Presbyterian]]/[[Reformed]]

*[[Episcopal Church in the United States of America]], also called the Protestant Episcopal Church of the U.S.  

*[[Episcopal Church in the United States of America]], also called the Protestant Episcopal Church of the U.S.

Smaller groups include:

Smaller groups include: