Which Christian denomination is most conservative?

[Woolmark]

I always assumed high Church Anglicans would be very conservative whereas Baptists would be very liberal but I'm discovering it's the opposite. Baptists seem very laid back in their worship style but the views are a bit more hardline than Anglo-Catholics.

From what I can gather starting with most liberal it goes:
Quakers
Anglicans
Methodists
Roman Catholic
Baptists

Is this along the right lines?

I've been trying to work out which denomination is most in tune with my personal beliefs and I seem to be a 'progressive Christian'. Is this a movement in it's right or can you be conservative/progressive with any denomination?

I think a lot depends on what issue you are considering. Quakers are really something on their own and seperate from mainstream christianity. The church of England can vary consideraby depending on the church.

It's all so confusing.

I don't believe all non-Christians will go to hell
I believe that gay people were born that way and there is nothing wrong with the way they are
I believe that women should be ordained
I don't take the bible literally
I don't believe in a young Earth
I quite like the ritual of an Anglo-Catholic service & sung Eucharist

Where would I fit?!

Woolmark I think you would fit in well in a traditional church of england church quite happily.

Unitarians?

I mean you might fit in best with the Unitarians.

Brethren would probably be the most traditional. (exclusive Brethren even more so)

Then probably RC

Then Baptist. (although there are huge differences within the Baptist Church - probably moreso than in other denominations. We are members of a Baptist church (although not sure we would actually call ourselves Baptist - more likely to just identify ourselves as evangelical Christians) which is as you say v.laid back in worship style, is very open to the more charismatic gifts of the Spirit, (regular prophetic words, tongues is used in a controlled way etc...) allows women in leadership (although in reality this doesn't really happen - no women preachers or elders for instance, although we technically could), BUT opposes practising homosexuality, gay marriage, sex outside of marriage, and is very definite on Scripture being the infallible word of God - totally true - all of it. Other Baptist Churches I know of would probably be the same on all those latter things but would be much more traditional in their style of worship, wouldn't be comfortable with the use of charismatic gifts and wouldn't allow women in leadership.)

Then you have probably Methodists (I don't know much about Methodists however)

Then Anglicans

Then Presbyterians (Church of Scotland up here)

Quakers I don't know much about either...

That's just the ones you've mentioned though - you also need to take into account the growing number of Christians who don't belong to 1 particular denomination - independent Churches for instance - and other denominations like Pentecostal/Elim etc... In some respects they are often more 'liberal' in their theology, often with regards to women, worship, gifts of the Spirit etc..., (although not always), but still very 'traditional' with regards to the infallibility of Scripture and their views on homosexuality etc... You can't generalise within that grouping though (obviously!)

I would say though that as I pointed out with the Baptist denomination - there are huge differences within denominations and people who are technically 1 denomination might actually theologically be closer to another, but go to the first Church because of locality, or style of worship, or lack of choice, or kids' ministry, or any number of other reasons.

Hope that helps

Conservative about what? Anglo-Catholics tend to be fairly traditionalist about certain things (style of worship, vestments, often women's ministry) but more liberal in their interpretation of the Bible and about homosexuality.

Anglican Evangelicals look less conservative as they tend to have less vestments, more modern music, etc, but they tend to be very literal about the Bible and are therefore conservative about anything they think that is clear on. And, in fact, they are often very conservative in their worship and music, just more influenced by the 1970s than the 1770s - they can often have their own 'traditions', just slightly newer ones.

And that's just within the CofE!

Within any denomination you get a broad spread, specially amongst those that are larger and have more 'by default' members- so CofE and RC are varied, because lots of people stay within them but add their own flavour, whereas I would guess that smaller denominations might be more 'monochrome', but that's just my guess as I've only been in large denominations myself.

'progressive Christian' is just a description, and not a denomination or even (AFAIK) a 'movement' within any church.

A traditional or Anglo Catholic church might well be a good fit, depending on the women's ordination question - not all Anglo Catholics are against it.

Also, tbh, you aren't always going to find a church that fits all your beliefs/attitudes - a better question is how they treat people who don't have quite the same views as their 'average' member - some places are accepting of people with different views, some can be very dogmatic. And that's often more about personalities than denominations, types of church, or anything else really.

Judgy people can be found everywhere - if you find a church full of them, you'll be judged on something sooner or later. Better to find one with a majority of more accepting people, and just accept the fact that you disagree with a lot of them on some issues.

I know a bit about Methodists. It is quite similar to CofE but more simple in style. One difference is that they have local or lay preachers, this can be a woman. The church (or chapel) was popular in traditionally working class areas and is keen on class equality. There is a lot of singing and music involved. They also encourage service to others within the community. Alcohol and gambling are not encouraged at all so no .

I live in NI

Here gospel hall and free Presbyterian would be the most conservative followed by Baptist.

Methodists- Ministers have an (so Ive been told by a meth minister friend) unwritten no-alcohol rule with themselves but do not judge members/congregation who do drink alcohol. nor judge people who do lottery/bingo/the gee gees etc.

(They also seem to love radio 4 a lot ).

and sometimes each denomination has slighty different 'feels'.

I go to a Methodist church as its the nearest to me, but I like its style of worship, they say the Our Father, and the hymns are varied, old style (Wesley) and new. and a warm and friendly congregation.

but ive been to some that are as dead and cold as a dodo (Meth/Catholic/evangelical). depends what the fellowship is like too.

I think there can be a difference between the accepted doctrine and what the laity actually do and believe. Technically RCs are well up there with the hard liners. But if you talk to individuals you find that there is a lot if cherry picking. I'm perfectly ok with divorce, married priests, women priests, gay priests, homosexuality, and I'm not the only RC I know who feels like that. I'm also pro-life. A fair amount of cognitive dissonance is required but once you make an adult decision to continue to believe in God, coping with intellectual and moral disparity within the church is a pretty minor issue!

OP I know that wasn't quite what you were asking, just wanted to clear up the drinking and gambling thing. I may be wrong but as a friend of a Methodist minister this is what I was told.

My fil is a methodist local preacher he doesn't drink himself but is a very non judgemental person when dh and I used to live together before we got married in his house he didn't seem to mind at all.

Sorry about the poor punctuation in that last post I meant that dh and I lived together before we married and we lived in fil's house! As I say he was not judgemental.

I'm not keen on the list thing, Woolmark - there are too many nuances of belief and personal preference to draw up league tables IMHO. However, from this thread and from you other recent threads, it sounds as if Anglicanism is where you sit most naturally, at the High or High-ish end, but not so High that you move into 'non-ordination-of-women' territory. I've said it before, but I'll say it again... try your local cathedral!

No-one has yet mentioned the United Reformed Church. I don't know much about their theology or liturgy, but the URC people I know are very liberal.

Methodists are not all anti-wine!
It has its roots in the temperance movement, so all Methodist churches and church halls are "dry" (a lot of them are used for AA meetings apparently, and if you let the hall out you can't bring booze in). The communion wine is alcohol-free (tastes rather like Benylin!)

But most Methodist churchgoers (and some ministers) do drink wine/beer/gin away from the church buildings and it's entirely an individual choice with no judgey pants involved.
They are generally a very friendly and down-to-earth bunch.

I love this quote from AMIS's last post "Judgy people can be found everywhere - if you find a church full of them, you'll be judged on something sooner or later. "

Too true

At the Baptist Church I'm a member of, three quarters of the leadership team (Deacons & Elders) and half the preaching team are women, which pretty much backs up what homeworkmakesmemad said!