Wikipedia:Describe a religion

This is an essay.

It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints.

Shortcuts

This page in a nutshell: Be careful to preserve a neutral point of view about religion in articles. Articles about a religious topic should cover all relevant religions and denominations.

This essay is about possible pro/anti Judeo-Christian/Abrahamic systemic bias in some Wikipedia articles: #Neutrality.

Also, in order for the reader to be able to distinguish between and better understand various faiths in a religion, it would be useful to identify its denominations and how one understanding differs from or is similar to the other ones: #Denominations.

Neutrality

Identifying the Judeo-Christian/Abrahamic POV

A plurality of people in the world identify as Christian.^[1] A substantial minority of Wikipedia editors identify as Christian,^[2] and some of these editors write articles on Christian-related topics. There are thousands of religions in this world, however, and in the interests of balance, Wikipedia should also give appropriate weight to every culture and religion.

Matters of doctrine

Wikipedia does not endorse any particular set of religious views. As with other pages, articles on matters of doctrine should therefore follow verifiability guidelines. Typically, statements on doctrine should have the form "Group X believes doctrine Y," rather than "Doctrine Y is the true doctrine."

Denominations

Example

A simple description of a Christian belief or religion might say, "The Reformed Community Church of the Angels" split with the "Community Church of the Angels" over the principle of non-denominationalism in 1832. Deacon Calvin Phineas formed the first church in Misagola, Minnesota. It has since grown to 23,000 members in the United States and 4,000 internationally.

Christian denominations

Note that the following do not need to be covered in any detail for many mainline Protestant, Orthodox, or Fundamentalist or Evangelical churches. They can state that they uphold the same principles as stated in another article with certain exceptions.

Coverage of Christian principles might include:

Jesus Christ

What does the church hold about Christ? Was he a man or divine? Was he both simultaneously? Was he divine on earth?

Trinity

Does the church believe in God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit in one person? If not, how does it relate?

Councils

Which of the councils of the church does the denomination recognize, if any? Does it uphold the Nicene Creed and Apostles Creed?

Bible

What books does the Bible contain? Is there apocrypha? Is there a supplemental book with spiritual authority, such as the Book of Mormon for the Church of the Latter Day Saints?

Ministers

Who are the primary leaders of the church, ministers or priests? What is their position to the congregation or individual members of the church? What formal education is required? How many years of school is required before a person can become a minister? What degree, if any, is required? Must this degree be from an accredited school? Are educational credentials for ministers sometimes or often waived?

Sacraments

Does the church believe in any sacraments? If so, which ones?

Eucharist

What is the church's position on commemorating the Last Supper? Is wine used? How does the church perceive the bread and wine?

Baptism

Does the church allow or require infant baptism? Is total immersion used?

Marriage

Is marriage indissoluble? If not, under what circumstances?

Icons or statues

Are icons or statues of religious figures displayed in places of public worship?

Allowed/disallowed

What significant practices are allowed or prohibited that would distinguish it from other Christian faiths?

Notes

^ "The Global Religious Landscape". The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Pew Research center. 18 December 2012. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
^ Category:Wikipedians by religion has 1,902 Christians, compared to 2,502 atheists, 914 Muslims, 802 agnostics, 587 "Pastafarians," 473 Jews, 256 Buddhists, and 222 Hindus.

[1] "The Global Religious Landscape". The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Pew Research center. 18 December 2012. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2013.

[2] Category:Wikipedians by religion has 1,902 Christians, compared to 2,502 atheists, 914 Muslims, 802 agnostics, 587 "Pastafarians," 473 Jews, 256 Buddhists, and 222 Hindus.

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