Free Christians (Britain) facts for kids
Free Christians are a group of people and churches in Britain. They are part of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches. Unlike many other churches, Free Christians do not follow strict official rules or beliefs called 'doctrines' or 'creeds'.
They have a history linked to Unitarianism. This means they are known for allowing different ideas about the Trinity. The Trinity is the belief that God is one, but exists as three 'persons': the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. Free Christians welcome everyone, even those with more traditional beliefs. They focus on including different ideas, not just being different from others.
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The History of Free Christians
The idea of 'Free Christian' in Britain started in the late 1800s. It began with the work of a minister named James Martineau.
Who Was James Martineau?
James Martineau believed that churches should welcome many different ideas about faith. He thought that if churches were only called 'Unitarian', they might become too strict. He suggested the name 'Free Christian' instead. He felt this name would be more open to everyone.
In 1868, Martineau created the Free Christian Union. He hoped this group would bring together Christians with different beliefs. The main idea was to unite those who did not want official rules or creeds forced upon them.
Free Christians Today
Today in Britain, Free Christians are part of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches. They are also connected to the Unitarian Christian Association.
The leaders of these churches include professional ministers. There are also 'Accredited Lay Preachers'. These are people who are not ministers but are trained to lead services.
Free Christians in Ireland
In Ireland, similar churches are called "Non-Subscribing Presbyterians". The Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland is a separate group. It no longer has official ties with the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches. This connection ended in 2015.
However, some ministers from the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland trained at colleges linked to the Free Christians. They also share a similar history. So, they are still seen as part of the same 'Free Christian' movement, especially in how they started. The Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland keeps its Christian identity without strict creeds.
Learn More
- Liberal Christianity
- Nondenominational Christianity
- Radical Reformation
- Progressive Christianity
