The History of World Religion

Around 1850, Christian missionaries began their voyage around the world proclaiming the Gospel to other nations. Starting at Africa, they taught the teachings of Jesus. Other missionaries were in China, India and Latin American areas.

In the United States, Christianity was growing stronger, and thousands of of people were attending some form of gospel meetings usually preached by a Protestant preacher. According to the book entitled, "Christianity", religions of the world series written by World Almanac, in the eighteenth century and the nineteenth, there were movements known as the First, Second, and Third Great Awakenings. And during this period as well there were more religious acts starting, such as Mormons, And Jehovah Witnesses. The civil war was happening as other Christians and other faiths were divided in the fight to end slavery. There were Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians, who did not agree on the way to proceed concerning slavery. So they eventually split.

Around the world in Europe, nineteenth century, cities were growing more industrial and new Christian Churches such as the Salvation Army, were about preaching the Gospel and trying to improve people lives, and conditions of living.

As stated also in the book, "Christianity", the World Almanac says that by 1900 the Bible had already been translated into 100 languages. In the 20th century the new churches, in Asia, Africa, and Latin America grew so rapidly that there were so many Christian in these places. There is a Evangelical church that still operates and grows in Vietnam. It is in Africa, though that you can see the most growth ever.

1906 the pentecostal movement began. It caused divisions to appear in Fundamentalist and Liberal Christians. Protestant churches become strong now because they had lively and encouraging worship.

Meanwhile churches in Europe grew smaller in membership. Again, we find that in the book, "Christianity", by World Almanac,that only one in ten people in Europe went to church on Sunday, although they still consider their selves to be Christian in faith, even if they were not active in services.

More than one third of the world's population now describe their selves as Christian. It is the world's largest religion and still growing today. Since the end of Russia Communism, numbers of Christians are growing there.

Fewer people than ever go to church though, now in Europe. They say religion is important in their lives, more however say they believe in God.

Non Christians often ask why there are so many different churches, religious groups, and why Christians cannot agree amongst their selves.

I believe this is a question that we cannot answer fully. We do not even fully understand ourselves. More churches now are willing to work together though. More than in the past years.

Traditional Christians believe in what is written in the Bible, and they think it is true and should not be altered. While Catholics believe what their leaders tell them, especially the Pope. Those who believe in the literal sense of the Bible can be called fundamentalists. And last but not least, World Almanac again refers in the book "Christianity",that the Liberal Christians use what Jesus taught and how to put it into practice in their daily lives.

Conservative Christians helped keep George Bush in his seat of Presidency for a second term. Considerable political influence is now held by Fundamentalist Christians, and may affect future crucial issues.

Christianity and the Christian story remains to be ended. They know what they must go about and do for our nation, around the world, and fight.

Christians will long impact the future of the world and nations.

Information found in the book , "Christianity", published from the World Almanac, by David Self.