What's the difference?

[samuel23]

why do we have all these different christian churches? Protestant, Anglican, Wesleyian Methodist, Salvation Army, Church of England, etc. etc. Are they all so different or would you be hard pushed to sit through a service blindfolded and know which church you were in?
I understand about the split from Catholicism, (Henry the 8th et al) but do the French/Dutch/Germans have all these different church factions too?

[Octavius]

All branches of the same tree.

Most western countries have christian diversity, many similar and some under different names.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Council_of_ Churches

[greendog]

�Et al� comes from the Latin et alii and translates as �and others�.
Therefore: Henry VIII and others.

[gizmo1]

I go to an Anglican church but have experienced Methodist and Catholic services. Firstly, you have the concept of 'High' and 'Low' Church'. That is, do you find sensorial aids to worship helpful, such as music and incense. We are pavlovian creatures after all - my husband brought up a Roman Catholic happily sits through Mass at our High Anglican Church.

The other issue for me is the hierarchy. I don't like the fact for example that a Bishop can veto a perfectly good priest, beloved, by the congregation, who just happens to be gay or divorced. There are few good priests enough as it is.

The non-conformists have more lay involvement. Traditionally the emphasis is more on preaching so a blindfold wouldn't make a difference. If it's teatime and the sermon's into it's second hour, you might well be enjoying a Methodist service.

I don't think there is a perfect sect - I try to go to churches where the priests and congregation are kind and intelligent.