学文网甘肃的Maggie问：
Rudi你好，不瞒你说，我对西方的宗教是一窍不通，什么天主教啦，基督教啦，就搞不清楚它们是怎么一回事。所以，我就想借这个栏目来请你帮我讲讲西方的宗教到底是怎么一回事，是不是跟中国的佛教、道教的关系差不多？谢谢！
Rudi：
Maggie，你好。我想很多读者可能对这个概念都不是很清楚，因为就西方来讲，宗教派系非常繁多，错综复杂，与中国的情形相差很大。所以，应你的要求，我就尽量详细地说明一下西方的宗教概况，希望能帮你理出一个头绪来。
Denominations
All Christians regard Jesus as the son of God. However, Christianity consists of several different denominations. The differences in these denominations are in the way that members practice their beliefs and how they interpret the Bible. The largest denomination is Roman Catholic. In the 16th century large numbers of Christians ①broke with the Roman Catholic Church and formed their own denominations. These groups are known as Protestants (the word literally means 'protesters'). There are also several denominations in the East that come under Eastern Orthodox Christians. The following are some of the main denominations in the West:
1. Roman Catholic - The Roman Catholic Church has a history of almost 2000 years and currently has one billion members, making it the largest and oldest religious institution in the world. Roman Catholics accept the Pope as their spiritual leader and believe that he is the latest successor in an uninterrupted line of Popes that goes back to Peter, the chief of the Apostles. The Roman Catholic Church regards itself as the original Church of Christ.
2. Anglican - Anglicans are found worldwide and worship in national churches which generally follow the teachings of the Church of England. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the head of the Anglican Church but, unlike the Pope, is only a symbolic leader with no authority outside of England.
3. Presbyterian - The set up of the Presbyterian Church is very complex and difficult to define. This denomination has its origins in Calvinism. Elders sitting as a 'Kirk session' are responsible for the discipline of the Church. Presbyterians are known for their belief in simplicity, such as singing without the accompaniment of musical instruments.
4. Baptists - Baptists have no central governing authority so their beliefs may differ slightly from place to place. All Baptists believe that the Bible is the ultimate authority, that local churches should be autonomous and in the separation of Church and State. There are 43 million Baptists worldwide with 33 million in the US alone.
Christianity in Modern Society
In the 20th century Christianity (and other religions) underwent dramatic changes in the West. In Europe, there has been a massive decline in the popularity of religion. This is reflected in the fast diminishing recruitment for priesthood as well as rapidly decreasing church attendances. This phenomenon is a result of an increased sense of disillusionment in Europe after the Second World War and the influence of scientific teachings, Socialism and Humanism. Abhorrence at the fanatical behaviour and corrupt nature of some religious organisations is also to blame. This decline is apparently ②in parallel with an increase in prosperity and social well-being.
Many Europeans have not forsaken religion totally but have chosen to avoid contact with organised religion. Some seek spiritual enlightenment in Eastern religions while many could be described as agnostic. How many Europeans fall under this category and how many are atheists is impossible to calculate. Either way, Europe has become a very secular society in the last sixty years.
During the same period, Christianity has been growing stronger in the US, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. At the same time, there has been an increase in Fundamentalism in the US. Fundamentalists hold the Bible as infallible, historically accurate, and decisive in all issues. In recent years, there has been much controversy about the influence of fundamentalist Christians on American politics.
Ceremonies
All denominations of Christianity have ceremonies and rituals although some, such as Roman Catholics, put more importance on them than others. These ceremonies are often similar to each other but some are unique to particular denominations. These rituals are called 'sacraments' and are supposed to be a means by which believers receive divine grace. For Protestants, the sacraments are merely symbolic gestures, whereas Catholics believe that by performing these rites they actually receive divine grace.
1. Baptism
Baptism is a water purification ritual practiced by all Christians. Depending on the denomination, the member is immersed in water or has it sprinkled or poured on their head. This symbolizes the washing away of original sin and the formal entry of the member into the Church or a public avowal of their acceptance of the faith. For some denominations this ritual is performed shortly after birth. In the case of Roman Catholics, the parents of the child will select a godfather and a godmother and this will be announced at the ceremony. Many Protestant denominations perform baptism at a later age, when the member can decide for themselves to accept the teachings of Christ. In this case, the member is deemed to be 'born again'.
2. The Eucharist
The Eucharist, commonly referred to as Holy Communion, involves eating bread and drinking wine as a commemoration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, and a means by which believers can unite with God. Catholics believe that, through a mysterious process, the bread and wine has actually become the flesh and blood of Christ. By consuming it, they are welcoming Christ into them. The bread and wine, after being blessed, is stored in a container called a 'tabernacle' and anyone who enters its presence will genuflect. When receiving the Eucharist the priest will say 'the body of Christ', to which the receiver will reply, 'amen'. Protestants reject the idea that the bread and wine can be transformed into Christ's body and blood. They believe only in the symbolism of the act. In many denominations, the first time a person will receive communion will be as a child and this event will be celebrated with a party.
3. Confession
Admitting one's sins and asking God for forgiveness is central to the faith. For most Protestants, this can be done in private; the believer can communicate directly with God. Catholics believe that an intermediate is required to communicate with God and they will confess their sins to a priest in a ceremony which has not changed in format for several centuries. The priest ③is bound to confidentiality, and under the rules of the Roman Catholic Church may not divulge what he has heard even to save his own life or the lives of others. Any priest who breaks this rule will be excommunicated.
4. Confirmation
At some point in their life, Christians will reconfirm their faith in public. This ceremony is known as confirmation and is usually carried out during adolescence. The idea is that the believer was baptized as a child and is now old enough to understand the scriptures and should confirm that they do indeed believe in their religion. In most cases the believer will have a witness. This will usually be a relative who has already been confirmed. The witness will stand behind the person being confirmed.
教派
所有基督教徒都将耶稣视为上帝之子。然而，基督教是由几个不同教派组成的。这些教派的不同之处在于教徒的信教方式以及他们对《圣经》的解读方式。最大的教派是罗马天主教。在16世纪时，有大批基督教徒与罗马天主教会决裂，建立了他们自己的教派。这些团体被称作新教徒（这个词的字面意思就是“抗议者”）。而在东方，也有一些教派是隶属于东正教的基督教教众。以下就是西方一些主要的基督教教派：
1. 罗马天主教徒――罗马天主教教会拥有近2000年的历史，目前的信徒达10亿人，这就使其成为了全球最大、最古老的宗教机构。罗马天主教徒将现任教皇认作其精神领袖，并且相信他就是教皇传承体系中的最新继任者，而这一体系的发始者便是使徒之首――彼得。罗马天主教教会将自己视为了正宗的基督教会。
2. 英国圣公会教徒――英国圣公会教徒遍布世界各地，并且是在普遍遵循着英格兰教会教义的各国教会来做礼拜。坎特伯雷大主教虽然是英国圣公会的领袖，但与教皇不同，仅仅是一名象征性领袖，在英格兰之外没有任何职权。
3. 长老会教徒――长老会的构成极为复杂，难以明晰。这一教派源自加尔文教。教会的戒律由主持“教会会议”的长老来负责。长老会教徒以其崇尚简朴而闻名，例如唱诗时就不用乐器来伴奏。
4. 浸信会教徒――浸信会教徒没有核心的管理权威，所以他们的信仰会因地域差异而稍显不同。所有浸信会教徒都认为《圣经》才具有最高权威，地方教会应该自治，***教要分离。全世界有4300万浸信会教徒，而仅在美国就有3300万。
现代社会中的基督教
在20世纪的西方世界，基督教（以及其它宗教）经历了重大的变革。在欧洲，宗教的普及度已经大幅下降。这反映在神职人员招聘数量的骤减以及礼拜出勤率的急剧下滑上。造成这种现象的原因是，觉醒意识在二战后的欧洲日益增强，科学教育、社会主义和人道主义发挥了影响力。而对于一些宗教组织的狂热行径以及腐朽本质的憎恨也难辞其咎。这一下降趋势显然是与繁荣程度和社会福利的提升同步进行的。
许多欧洲人并没有完全摒弃宗教，而是选择避免与有组织的宗教进行接触。一些人到东方的宗教中寻求精神上的启迪，而许多人则被看作是不可知论者。有多少欧洲人归于此类而又有多少人是无神论者，是无法进行统计的。无论是哪种情况，欧洲都已在近60年的时间里变成了一个非常世俗的社会。
而就在同一时期，基督教在美国、拉丁美洲和撒哈拉以南的非洲不断发展壮大。同时，原教旨主义在美国日渐兴盛。原教旨主义者认为，《圣经》是一贯正确的，是历史的真貌，对所有问题都有定论。近些年来，针对原教旨主义基督徒对美国***坛的影响，已经发生了很多争论。
仪典
尽管罗马天主教等一些教派比其它教派更重视仪典，但所有的基督教教派都是有仪典和仪式的。这些仪典通常是大同小异的，但有一些则为某些教派所独有。这些仪式叫做“圣事”，被认为是信徒接受圣恩的一种途径。对于新教徒来说，圣事仅仅是象征性的举动，而天主教徒则认为他们通过举行这些仪式就真的得到了圣恩。
1.洗礼
洗礼是所有基督教徒都要经历的浸水净身仪式。根据教派的不同，信徒或是浸泡于水中，或是让其头部受到水的喷撒、泼倒。这象征着洗去原罪以及信徒的正式入会，或是象征着他们接收这一信仰的公开誓词。对于一些教派，这种仪式在出生后不久就要进行。如若是罗马天主教徒，父母就会为孩子选择一位教父和一位教母，并会在仪式上将此事进行宣布。而许多新教教派是在信徒年龄稍大的时候，即能够自主决定接受上帝教诲的时候，来举行洗礼仪式。在这种情况下，信徒被视为获得“重生”。
2.圣餐
圣餐通常是指圣餐礼，包括吃面包和喝葡萄酒，以此来纪念耶稣的受难和复活，并且还是信徒与上帝融合的一种途径。天主教徒认为，通过一种带有神秘色彩的活动，葡萄酒和面包已然真正地成为了耶稣的血肉。通过进食，他们就与耶稣融为一体。经过圣化后的面包和葡萄酒被储藏到一个叫做“圣龛”的容器中，任何一名拜谒此物的信徒都要行屈膝礼。当接受圣餐之时，神父会说“圣体”，对此，受餐者会回复说“阿门”。而新教徒对于面包和葡萄酒可以转化为耶稣血肉的理念则是不予接受的。他们只认同这一行为的象征意义。在很多教派中，人们第一次接受圣餐是在孩提时代，而且这一活动会以聚会的方式加以庆祝。
3.忏悔
承认本人的罪孽并祈求上帝宽恕是这一信仰的核心。对于大多数新教徒来说，这可以通过私密的方式来完成；信徒可以直接与上帝进行对话。天主教徒认为，与上帝对话需要一个媒介，而他们就会在一个数百年来一成不变的仪式上向神父忏悔他们的罪孽。神父必须保守秘密，而且根据罗马天主教教会的规定，即使是出于自保或是为了保全他人性命，他也不能将其所听所闻泄露出去。任何一位违反这一规定的神父都将被逐出教会。
4.坚信礼
在其人生的某个阶段，基督教徒会在公众场合再次确认他们的信仰。这一仪式被称为坚信礼，通常是在青少年时期进行。其理念在于，信徒在孩提时代接受了洗礼，而今则到了足以领会经文的年龄，应当确认他们确实是信奉自己的宗教。在大多数情况下，信徒会有一位见证人。而此人一般是一位已经行过坚信礼的亲戚。这名见证人要站在行坚信礼之人的身后。
denomination /di,n4mi`neiH9n/ n.教派
Roman Catholic罗马天主教
Protestant /`pr4tist9nt/ n.新教徒
Eastern Orthodox 东正教
Pope /p9up/ n.罗马教皇
successor /s9k`ses9/ n.继承者；接任者
Apostle /9`p4sl/ n.使徒(指耶稣十二使徒)
Anglican /`2MGlik9n/ n.(英国)圣公会
worship /`w8Hip/ v.做礼拜
teaching /`t1tHiM/ n.(宗)教义
Archbishop /`3tH`biH9p/ n.(宗)大主教
Presbyterian /,prezbi`ti9ri9n/ n.长老会
baptist /`b2ptist/ n.浸信会
autonomous /5`t4n9m9s/ adj.自治的
undergo /,7nd9`G9u/ vt.经历
recruitment /ri`kr6tm9nt/ n.补充
priesthood /pr1sthud/ n.神职人员
disillusionment /,disi`l(E9nm9nt/ n.醒悟；幻灭
abhorrence /9b`h4r9ns/ n.痛恨；憎恶
fanatical /f9`n2tik9l/ adj.狂热的
well-being /`welb1iM/ adj.福利
forsake /f9`seik/ vt.放弃；抛弃
enlightenment /in`laitnm9nt/ n.启迪；教化
agnostic /2G`n4stik/ n.不可知论者
atheist /`eiFiist/ n.无神论者
secular / `sekjul9/ adj.世俗的
fundamentalism /f7nd9`ment9liz(9)m/ n.原教旨主义
infallible /in`f2l9bl/ adj.没有错误的；确实可靠的
sacrament /`s2kr9m9nt/ n.圣事；圣礼
grace /Greis/ n.恩赐
rite /rait/ n.仪式；典礼
baptism /`b2ptiz9m/ n.洗礼
avowal /9`vau9l/ n.声明
Eucharist /`(k9rist/ n.(宗)圣餐
crucifixion /,krusi`fikH9n/ n.耶稣受难在十字架上
resurrection /,rez9`rekH9n/ n.复活
tabernacle /`t2b9(:) n2kl/ n.圣龛
genuflect /`_enju(:)flekt/ v.(宗教仪式中)屈膝礼
confession /k9n`feH9n/ n.忏悔
intermediate /,int9`m1dj9t/ n.媒介
confidentiality /k4fi,denHi`2liti/ n.机密性
divulge /dai`v7l_/ vt.泄露
excommunicate /,eksk9`m(nikeit/ vt.逐出教会
confirmation /,k4nf9`meiH9n/ n.坚信礼
baptize /b2p`taiz/ vt.给人施洗礼
scripture /`skriptH9/ n.经文
① break with与……绝交
② in parallel with与……同时
③ be bound to一定要……