Christianity is the world’s largest religion, based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God and the savior of humanity. Its sacred text is the Bible, comprising the Old and New Testaments. Central to Christian faith is the belief in the Trinity, which includes God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Christians practice their faith through rituals such as baptism and communion.

Christianity has three major branches:

• Roman Catholicism, the largest, centers authority in the Pope and is widespread in Latin America, Southern Europe, parts of Africa, and the Philippines.
• Protestantism, with many denominations such as Baptist, Lutheran, and Methodist, emphasizes direct access to scripture and is strong in North America, Northern Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Eastern Orthodoxy highlights the authority of ancient patriarchates and is centered in Eastern Europe, Russia, Greece, and parts of the Middle East.
• Other groups include the Oriental Orthodox Churches, such as the Coptic Church in Egypt and the Armenian Apostolic Church, and newer traditions like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

At the heart of Christian moral teaching are the Ten Commandments, principles delivered to Moses, which emphasize worship of God, honoring one’s parents, and ethical conduct regarding murder, adultery, theft, and truthfulness.

Christianity emphasizes love, forgiveness, and redemption, teaching followers to love their neighbors as themselves and to forgive others as they seek forgiveness from God. It has a significant impact on art, culture, and philosophy and continues to play a vital role in societal issues and charitable efforts around the globe.