Global.Church Core Ontology v0.29.5
https://ontology.global.church/core#BeliefTypeScheme
Classification of organizations by Christian tradition, aligned with the World Christian Database (WCD) six-megabloc taxonomy. Layer 2 in the three-layer religion classification: HIS ROR (religion) → BeliefType (Christian tradition) → Denomination.
ANG Anglican
Anglican tradition — the Anglican Communion and churches historically tied to it, holding similar beliefs, worship practices, and patterns of church administration. Occupies an intermediate position between Catholic and Protestant.
WCD megabloc 'A'. ~85 million adherents globally. Treated as a distinct tradition (not a subset of Protestantism) following WCD practice.
CAT Catholic
Roman Catholic tradition — the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Catholic (Uniate) churches in communion with the Bishop of Rome.
WCD megabloc 'C'. ~1.3 billion adherents globally.
IND Independent
Independent Christianity — churches and movements that do not identify with Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox traditions. Includes African Initiated Churches, post-denominational networks, indigenous movements not founded by foreign missionaries, and charismatic independent churches.
WCD megabloc 'I'. ~409 million adherents globally (2025). The fastest-growing Christian segment, dominant in the Global South. Distinct from Protestant: these churches were not established by Reformation-era denominations.
MAR Marginal (2)Marginal Christian groups — organizations that accept certain Christian features and elements of Scripture but supplement them with additional claimed divine revelations or substantially diverge from historic Trinitarian orthodoxy.
WCD megabloc 'M'. ~50 million adherents globally. Includes LDS, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Oneness Pentecostals, and similar groups.
JW Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses (Watch Tower Society). Non-Trinitarian; rejects the deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit as a person.
LDS LDS
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). Accepts the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price as additional scripture.
ORT Orthodox
Orthodox tradition — Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox (non-Chalcedonian), and Church of the East.
WCD megabloc 'O'. ~280 million adherents globally.
OTH Other
Other belief tradition not covered by the above categories.
PRO Protestant
Historic Protestant tradition — churches tracing lineage to the Reformation. Includes Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Reformed, and other denominations that reject papal authority and affirm sola scriptura.
WCD megabloc 'P'. The notation CHR is retained for backward compatibility with v0.1.0 data.
UNA Unaffiliated
Unaffiliated Christians — individuals or organizations that profess Christianity but maintain no formal association with any church denomination, tradition, or organized group.
WCD category (not a megabloc). ~151 million adherents globally. Relevant for organizations serving unaffiliated believers or emerging faith communities.