Religious groups can be categorized in many different ways. We offer two options: Traditions and Families. Religious Traditions categorize groups based on current religious beliefs and acceptance of the larger culture, but give little attention to denominational lineage. Families organize religious groups based on their common religious ancestry or heritage, regardless of their current religious beliefs or social positions. Beginning with an article by Brian Steensland and colleagues entitled "The Measure of American Religion: Toward Improving the State of the Art" published in Social Forces (2000, 79: 291-318), the staff at the Association of Religion Data Archives (theARDA.com) used several sources to categorize groups into Religious Traditions. For denominations not included in Steensland and colleagues' scheme, two additional sources were consulted: J. Gordon Melton's Encyclopedia of American Religions (8th edition) and Frank S. Mead and Samuel S. Hill's Handbook of Denominations in the United States (10th edition). In addition to those in Steensland and colleagues' classification scheme, separate categories were created for Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, Orthodox Christians, Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Jehovah's Witnesses, and other groups. The Religious Families were assembled by InfoGroup. For more information on the schisms and mergers within each family and for each of the groups included, please refer to the ARDAs Denominational Profiles and Family Trees:
| Denomination Source Reported By InfoGroup |
Religious Family |
Religious Tradition |
| Advent Christian Church |
Adventist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Adventists - Other |
Adventist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Church of God General Conference |
Adventist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Seventh Day Adventists |
Adventist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Seventh Day Church of God |
Adventist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| American Baptist Association |
Baptist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| American Baptist Churches/USA |
Baptist |
Mainline Protestant |
| Baptist General Conference |
Baptist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Baptist - Other |
Baptist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Baptist Bible Fellowship |
Baptist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Baptist Missionary Association of America |
Baptist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Cooperative Baptist Fellowship |
Baptist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Independent Baptist Churches |
Baptist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Conservative Baptist Association |
Baptist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Free Will Baptists |
Baptist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| General Assoc. of Regular Baptists |
Baptist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Assoc. of General Baptists |
Baptist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| General Association of Separatist Baptists |
Baptist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| National Baptist Convention of America |
Baptist |
Historically Black Protestant |
| National Baptist Convention-USA |
Baptist |
Historically Black Protestant |
| North American Baptist Conference |
Baptist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Primitive Baptists |
Baptist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Progressive National Baptist Convention |
Baptist |
Historically Black Protestant |
| Seventh Day Baptist Gen. Conference |
Baptist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Southern Baptist Convention |
Baptist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Southwide Baptist Fellowship |
Baptist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| United Baptist |
Baptist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| World Baptist Fellowship |
Baptist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| African Methodist Episcopal Church |
Methodist |
Historically Black Protestant |
| African Methodist Episcopal Zion |
Methodist |
Historically Black Protestant |
| African Union Methodist Protestant |
Methodist |
Historically Black Protestant |
| Christian Methodist Episcopal Church |
Methodist |
Historically Black Protestant |
| Congregational Methodist Church |
Methodist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Evangelical Congregational Church |
Methodist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Evangelical Methodist Church |
Methodist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Independent Methodist Churches |
Methodist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Methodist - Other |
Methodist |
Mainline Protestant |
| Primitive Methodist Church |
Methodist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Reformed Zion Union Apostolic |
Methodist |
Historically Black Protestant |
| Southern Methodist Church |
Methodist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| United Methodist Church |
Methodist |
Mainline Protestant |
| American Association of Lutheran Church |
Lutheran |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Apostolic Lutheran Church of America |
Lutheran |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Association of Free Lutheran Congregations |
Lutheran |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Church of Lutheran Confession |
Lutheran |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Church of the Lutheran Brethren |
Lutheran |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Evangelical Lutheran Synod |
Lutheran |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church |
Lutheran |
Mainline Protestant |
| Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
Lutheran |
Mainline Protestant |
| Lutheran - Other |
Lutheran |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod |
Lutheran |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran |
Lutheran |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Association Reformed Presbyterian Church |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Bible Presbyterian Church |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Christian Reformed Church |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Churches of God (Findlay, OH) |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Congregational Christian Churches |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Conservative Congregation Christian Conference |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Cumberland Presbyterian Church |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Evangelical Presbyterian Church |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Free Reformed Churches of North America |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Free Presbyterian Church |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Orthodox Presbyterian Church |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Presbyterian Church in America |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Presbyterian/Reformed - Other |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Presbyterian Church (USA) |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Mainline Protestant |
| Protestant Reformed Churches |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Reformed Church in America |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Mainline Protestant |
| Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Reformed Church in the USA |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Cumberland Presbyterian Ch in America |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Historically Black Protestant |
| United Church of Christ |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Mainline Protestant |
| United Reformed Churches in North America |
Presbyterian/Reformed |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Maranatha Christian Churches |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Apostolic Church of Pentecost |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Apostolic Churches - Other |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Apostolic Faith Church |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church |
Pentecostal |
Historically Black Protestant |
| Assemblies of God |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Bible Way Church of Lord Jesus Christ |
Pentecostal |
Historically Black Protestant |
| Calvary Chapel |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Christian Church of North America |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Church of God (Cleveland, TN) |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Church of God of Prophecy |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Church of God - Mountain Assembly |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Church of God - Other |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Church of God By Faith |
Pentecostal |
Historically Black Protestant |
| Church of God in Christ |
Pentecostal |
Historically Black Protestant |
| Congregational Holiness Church, Inc. |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Church of the Living God |
Pentecostal |
Historically Black Protestant |
| Church of the Lord Jesus Christ |
Pentecostal |
Historically Black Protestant |
| Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of Apostolic Faith |
Pentecostal |
Historically Black Protestant |
| Deliverance Churches |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Church On the Rock |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Seventh Day Pentecostal |
Pentecostal |
Historically Black Protestant |
| Word Churches |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Elim Fellowship |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Faith Christian Fellowship |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Fire-Baptized Holiness Church |
Pentecostal |
Historically Black Protestant |
| First Church of Jesus Christ |
Pentecostal |
Historically Black Protestant |
| Full Gospel Fellowship |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Hall Deliverance Foundation |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| International Foursquare Gospel |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| International Pentecostal Church of Christ |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Association of Vineyard Churches |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Liberty Fellowship of Churches |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Open Bible Standard Churches |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Church of God (Original) |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Pentecostal Assemblies of the World |
Pentecostal |
Historically Black Protestant |
| Pentecostal Church of God |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| International Pentecostal Holiness Church |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Pentecostal - Other |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| United House of Prayer |
Pentecostal |
Historically Black Protestant |
| United Christian Church |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| United Pentecostal Church |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Victory Churches International |
Pentecostal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Liberal Catholic Churches |
Catholic |
Other |
| Polish National Catholic Church |
Catholic |
Other |
| Roman Catholic Church |
Catholic |
Roman Catholic |
| Convents/Rectories/Monasteries |
Catholic |
Roman Catholic |
| Brethren - Other |
Brethren |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Fellowship of Grace Brethren |
Brethren |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Church of the Brethren |
Brethren |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Old German Baptist Brethren Church |
Brethren |
Evangelical Protestant |
| United Brethren in Christ |
Brethren |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Berean Fundamental Churches |
Independent Fundamentalist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Church of the Open Door |
Independent Fundamentalist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Independent Bible Churches |
Independent Fundamentalist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Fundamental Bible Churches |
Independent Fundamentalist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Grace Gospel Fellowship |
Independent Fundamentalist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Independent Fundamental Churches |
Independent Fundamentalist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Plymouth Brethren |
Independent Fundamentalist |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Anglican - Other |
Episcopal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Anglican Episcopal of North America |
Episcopal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Charismatic Episcopal Church |
Episcopal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Episcopal Church |
Episcopal |
Mainline Protestant |
| Anglican Orthodox Church |
Episcopal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Reformed Episcopal Church |
Episcopal |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) |
Christian/Church of Christ |
Mainline Protestant |
| Christian & Churches of Christ |
Christian/Church of Christ |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Christian - Other |
Christian/Church of Christ |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Churches of Christ (Non-Instrumental) |
Christian/Church of Christ |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Church of God in Christ, Mennonite |
Mennonite |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Conservative Mennonite Fellowship |
Mennonite |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Amish (Mennonite) |
Mennonite |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference |
Mennonite |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Brethren in Christ |
Mennonite |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Mennonite Church USA |
Mennonite |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Mennonite Brethren Church |
Mennonite |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Church of Jesus Christ - Latter-day Saints |
Latter-day Saints |
Latter-day Saint (Mormon) |
| Community of Christ (RLDS) |
Latter-day Saints |
Other |
| Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| American Rescue Workers |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Apostolic Christian (Nazarean) |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Bible Methodist Connection |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Christian & Missionary Alliance |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Ch. of Christ in Christian Union |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Church of God (Anderson, IN) |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Churches of God (Independent Holiness) |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Church of God (Holiness) |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Pillar of Fire |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Evangelical Christian Church |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Evangelical Church of North America |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Free Methodist Church of North America |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Grace and Hope Mission |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Holiness - Other |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Missionary Church |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Mount Calvary Holy Church of America |
Holiness |
Historically Black Protestant |
| National Association of Holiness Churches |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Church of the Nazarene |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Rescue Mission |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Salvation Army |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Triumph the Church/Kingdom of God |
Holiness |
Historically Black Protestant |
| Wesleyan Church |
Holiness |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Christian Science Churches |
Metaphysical |
Other |
| Swedenborgian Churches |
Metaphysical |
Other |
| Metaphysical - Other |
Metaphysical |
Other |
| National Spiritualist Association |
Metaphysical |
Other |
| Spiritual Science Churches |
Metaphysical |
Other |
| Spiritualist Churches/Organizations |
Metaphysical |
Other |
| United Church of Religious Science |
Metaphysical |
Other |
| Unity School of Christianity |
Metaphysical |
Other |
| Church of Scientology |
Metaphysical |
Other |
| Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America |
Orthodox |
Orthodox Christian |
| American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox |
Orthodox |
Orthodox Christian |
| Antiochian Orthodox Christian |
Orthodox |
Orthodox Christian |
| Armenian Apostolic Church |
Orthodox |
Orthodox Christian |
| Armenian Church of America |
Orthodox |
Orthodox Christian |
| Byelorussian Orthodox |
Orthodox |
Orthodox Christian |
| Greek Orthodox Church |
Orthodox |
Orthodox Christian |
| Eastern Orthodox - Other |
Orthodox |
Orthodox Christian |
| Orthodox Church in America |
Orthodox |
Orthodox Christian |
| Romanian Orthodox Episcopate |
Orthodox |
Orthodox Christian |
| Russian Orthodox Church |
Orthodox |
Orthodox Christian |
| Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church |
Orthodox |
Orthodox Christian |
| Ukranian Orthodox Church |
Orthodox |
Orthodox Christian |
| Jewish - Other |
Jewish |
Jewish |
| Orthodox Jewish Congregations |
Jewish |
Jewish |
| Reconstructionist Jewish Congregations |
Jewish |
Jewish |
| Reform Jewish Congregations |
Jewish |
Jewish |
| Conservative Jewish Congregations |
Jewish |
Jewish |
| Christadelphians |
Evangelical Misc |
Evangelical Protestant |
| International Council Community Churches |
Evangelical Misc |
Mainline Protestant |
| Evangelical Covenant Church |
Evangelical Misc |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Evangelical Free Church |
Evangelical Misc |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Evangelical - Other |
Evangelical Misc |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Federated Church |
Evangelical Misc |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Friends (Quakers) |
Evangelical Misc |
Mainline Protestant |
| Military Chapels |
Evangelical Misc |
Other |
| Metropolitan Community Churches |
Evangelical Misc |
Mainline Protestant |
| Moravian Church in America |
Evangelical Misc |
Mainline Protestant |
| Neighborhood Churches |
Evangelical Misc |
Other |
| Non-Denominational Churches |
Evangelical Misc |
Other |
| Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations |
Evangelical Misc |
Other |
| Schwenkfelder Church |
Evangelical Misc |
Evangelical Protestant |
| United/Union Churches |
Evangelical Misc |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Worldwide Church of God |
Evangelical Misc |
Evangelical Protestant |
| Non Classified Affiliation |
Misc/Classified |
Other |
| Baha'i Faith |
Misc/Classified |
Other |
| Buddhist Temples, Zen |
Misc/Classified |
Buddhist |
| Eckankar |
Misc/Classified |
Other |
| Hindu Temples |
Misc/Classified |
Hindu |
| Jehovah's Witnesses |
Misc/Classified |
Jehovah's Witnesses |
| Krishna |
Misc/Classified |
Other |
| Miscellaneous Cults and Sects |
Misc/Classified |
Other |
| Muslim/Mohammed/Islam |
Misc/Classified |
Islamic |
| Nichiren Shoshu Temple |
Misc/Classified |
Other |
| Sikh Society |
Misc/Classified |
Other |
| Miscellaneous Eastern Religions |
Misc/Classified |
Other |
| Tenrikyo Churches |
Misc/Classified |
Other |
| Unification Church |
Misc/Classified |
Other |
| Unitarian Universalist Association |
Misc/Classified |
Other |
| Yoga Institutes |
Misc/Classified |
Other |
