What are the demographics of where this sect can be found? How many people practice this particular branch?

Major Religious Traditions
of the U.S.

In the United States, Germany, and the Scandinavian Countries, Protestants are a majority. They are spread all over the world, yet not necessarily a majority.Worldwide, there are over 340 million members of the Protestant Church. Of America's Christians (78.4% of the Country) 51.3% are Protestant.

How and where did this particular branch develop?

16th Century Germany

Germany, 16th century, the Reformation movement emerged to further divide the Roman Catholic Church. One man, Martin Luther pushed to improve the Church. He wanted to discuss the powers of the Pope as well as the teachings of the Church, but when he was ordered to stop, he rejected the authority of the church. He encouraged others to examine the Bible to construct personal opinions and thoughts. After this, King Henry decided to break away from Roman Church, and he established the Church of England. Once many people followed, the Roman- Catholic church responded with creating a list of banned books, as well as created a new order of priests. The Catholic and Protestant rulers then went to war over these crucial religious conflicts.

How does your sect differ from the other branches within the major religion?

Differences with Eastern Orthodox:

-The composition of the Bible... Eastern Orthodox accepts the 39 Old Testament books, the 27 New Testament books, as well as the Deuterocanonicals which are a collection of books not found in the original Hebrew Bible. The Protestants however, reject the Deuterocanonicals, and term the Apocrypha's.

The Christian Trinity: The Father,
The Son, and The Holy
Spirit.

-The Holy Spirit... Eastern Orthodox follows the original Nicene Creed which recognizes the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Trinity, proceeding from only the Father. They believe that the Father passes the Spirit at the intercession of the Son, meaning the the Son is an agent only in the cycle of the Spirit. The Protestants however find the the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son.

Differences with Catholicism:

-What happens after death is also under different belief between the two, although both believe that unbelievers will spend an eternity in Hell. But Catholics believe in the existence of Purgatory, 'a condition or place in which the souls of those dying penitent are purified from venial sins, or undergo the temporal punishment that, after the guilt of mortal sin has been remitted, still remains to be endured by the sinner.' (Dictionary.com) The protestants however, do not.

How does this monotheistic religion differ from the other two major monotheistic religions?

Differences from Muslims:
-Islam believes Jesus was merely a prophet, equal to and a follower of Adam, Noah, Abraham and Moses. Muslims believe that Muhammad is the final messenger superior to all other prophets.
-Again, Christians believe that Jesus could perform miracles, as well as he was the son of god.
-Islam refuses the crucifixion and believe that God spared his messenger. The crucifixion is the focal point of belief for Christians.


Differences between Christianity and Judaism:
-Jews believe that there is one God, whereas Christians believe in the trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
-Jews also believe that Jesus was just a human, and not the son of god. Christians believe that Jesus was the son of god & came to Earth to relieve the sins of humans.

What traditions or rituals do they follow?

Of the many traditions Protestants follow, here are just three...

An interpretation of Jesus' baptism

Baptism: The rite of passage, to "Getting Right With God", or accepting Jesus as their one and only savior. It is done by submerging the person into holy water by a priest.

Sunday Service: A service that is often held either once a month, or once a quarter, granting thanks to God and pursuing faith with other believers.

Confirmation: A process seen as sealing the covenant of commitment to the church made by baptism. 

What holy book do they use and what holy days do they observe?

Jesus rising from the dead

The Holy Book of the Protestants is the Holy Bible, and two holy days observed by protestants are Easter and Christmas. Easter is the day in  celebration of Jesus rising from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion, and also marks the end of lent. Christmas is the annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
                       

What is the place of worship? What are the major features of this place?

A Tiffany Stained Glass Window at ASC
in Boston, MA. 

The Protestant place of worship is a Church, with common architecture in the shape of a cross. Churches often have a vaulted space or dome, to attract attention both to, and from the Heavens. Churches will often have stained glass in a circular shape to represent eternity. A spire on the top of a Church is also very common, because it is a symbol of prosperity.