Protestantism
The Reformed Faith and The Teachings of The Open Bible
The Reformation
The Orange Institution is a Christian organisation that has been founded on the principles laid down by the Protestant reformation.
As early as the 1300's, priests and followers of The Roman Catholic church agreed that the church had many doctrines, rituals and operations that were un-Christian and went against the teachings of the bible. This group of Roman Catholics actively looked to reform the church, however the church did not reform, which led to the development of The Reformed Faith. A faith built on the truths of the bible and not that of the institutionalised false doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church.
Please take time to read and understand about the Protestant reformers from each of the following articles:
More studies of the Reformation and its principles will be posted on this website soon. If you would like to contribute, please get in touch with us.
The Orange Order and the Roman Catholic church
The Orange Order is often criticised as being anti-Roman Catholic which is untrue. The simple fact that we are a Protestant organisation, immediately sets us apart from the Roman Catholic Church.
The Orange Institution the world over is opposed to the Roman Catholic church on many levels, particularly to the teaching of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church because they are at total variance with the Biblical message that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. The Roman Catholic Church has been shown to be truly evil and rotten to the core with the revelations of institutionalised physical and sexual child abuse throughout the 20th century globally. How can a 'church' and its leader cover up for evil, yet profess to be true and Godly? Sadly, the evil crimes committed by the Roman Catholic Church for many centuries are too many to list on a small website such as ours.
If you are a member of the Roman Catholic faith, you have the same choice today that our forefathers have already taken - to turn your back on the Roman Catholic Church and become a member of the reformed faith.
It has been very difficult for Orange Lodges when they have encountered direct hate fueled violent opposition from militant Roman Catholics, Irish Republicans and their ignorant supporters in the past. We hope that in the 21st Century that we may parade and celebrate our identity without bigoted opposition. We are members of the Reformed Faith, we are loyal God fearing people. Simply put, we have strong faith, strong cultural heritage and we are proud of our country.
We want to reach out to Roman Catholics and members of other faiths to ensure them that the Orange Institution is more about our Protestant religion, safeguarding our heritage and protecting our country. Read the Qualifications of an Orangeman here.
Understanding Our Opposition to the Church of Rome
We have obtained kind permission from The Protestant Alliance to reproduce a series of essays that explore why we oppose The Church of Rome and why we are members of The Reformed Faith. Please take time to read and understand each of these essays, no matter what your background is. Truth and knowledge encourages respect and understanding.
Lifelong Protestant Learning
The Orange Institution is not a church. Our members regularly attend church worship at many different Protestant churches including Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist. As Orange men and women, we support our churches and bring our children up to learn and understand about the Christian reformed faith. We constantly strive to develop our faith and to uphold the values that it teaches us.
Portions of scripture for further study will be posted on this website soon. Please keep checking back for updates.
Links to local churches and further learning:
There is an abundance of Protestant churches in Greater Manchester and Lancashire, many of them are suffering from shrinking congregations. Please consider attending your local church to worship this Sunday and regularly thereafter.
Find your local Protestant church here:
Recommended listening!
1st Ballymoney Presbyterian - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
An excellent library of sermon podcasts and mp3 files from the Reverend Warwick Smart, 1st Ballymoney Presbyterian Church.
Download mp3's or Podcasts for itunes / ipod
Or visit SermonAudio.com to find online sermons in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland