In the United States, Christianity is the largest religious group followed by Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism (Kohut and Rogers). According to the Pew Research Council, as of March 2002, Christianity comprised more than 82% of the American population (Kohut and Rogers). Most of the world's Christians live in America and Europe (Pew Research Center). However, the Christian population currently living in America and Europe is significantly smaller than it was in the early 1900s (Pew Research Center). Christianity is divided into three main branches: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant. Protestants constitute the largest branch of the Christian religion in the United States and represented 52% of the American population in 2002 (Kohut and Rogers). Catholics come in second place and comprise 24% of the American population as of March 2002 (Kohut and Rogers). The majorities of the Christian denominations popular today developed during the five hundred years following the Protestant Reformation and are part of the Protestant denomination (Pew Research Center). Many Christian denominations share many of the same beliefs; however, there are some topics I disagree with, such as the sacrament of baptism. Many Christian denominations practice the tradition of baptism. However, many denominations differ widely on the meaning and significance of the sacrament or ordinance of baptism. Baptism in the Old Testament is used as a symbol of a believer's devotion to God by washing with water as a sign of purification and consecration. There are many different meanings and techniques of baptism that have been observed by many faiths over thousands of years. Many of the customs and b...... middle of paper ....... "Baptism (in the Bible)". New Catholic Encyclopedia. 2nd ed. vol. 2. Detroit: Gale, 2003. 56-60. Gale World history in context. Network. December 30, 2011.Zondervan NIV Study Bible. Zondervan New Bible for International Study. Ed. Kenneth L. Barker. 2008. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.Pew Research Center. Global Christianity: A report on the size and distribution of the world's Christian population. December 19, 2011. December 2011 "Sacramento". Religions of the world. New York: Macmillan Library Reference USA, 1987. Macmillan Compendium. Gale World history in context. Network. 16 November 2011. Sacrament of Baptism. 2003. .