Are Catholics Christians?

Question

Some people say that Catholics are not Christians, but others say say that they are. Who's right? -Steve

Answer 1

The catholic religion is in reality based on traditions created by the church, not Christ. They do however claim that they follow Christ, but actions speak louder than words. Catholicism is primarily a pagan religion.

This I believe; http://homelessheart.com/testimony.htm

Answer 2

Catholics by definition are Christian. They along with the Orthodox practice Christianity as it was handed down from the apostles. Luther, who had a nightmare of a problem, excluded any component handed down from the apostles not included in scriptures. He also excluded some of the books of scripture; he excluded parts of the deuterocanonical books.

The protocanonical books are books like Genesis or Luke, the deuterocanonical books are books like Tobit, 1&2 Maccabbees, 2 John, James, Jude or Revelations. When he rejected the authority of the bishops, who are the apostolic successors by ordination beginning with Matthias (See Acts 1:46), he rejected the only authorizing party for the canon of scripture. That meant he had to pick his own books. He excluded what Protestants now call the Apocrypha, James, Jude and Revalations.

He then insisted upon the use of scripture alone, his choices of books of course, to determine what the apostles meant.

This lead to a whale of a fight. The Reformation was a civil war. The German Princes and later Henry VIII realized that the Reformation would be a cash windfall of proportions rarely since seen on Earth. This was a money and land grab by powerful people. Both sides committed terrible attrocities. One leading reformer, who had been a member of the inquisition, was horrified at the methods of torture used by the Reformation. The inquisition had limitations and rule, the Reformation did not. Catholic armies would destroy entire cities. Anabaptists roamed the countryside in armed bands asking people if they were saved and would be rebaptized anyone refusing to join was killed on the spot. Luther executed 20,000 baptists by burning them at the stake. This was viewed as a very positive thing.

In the midst of this, everyone excommunicated everyone else and declared everyone who wasn't like them non-Christian in the case of Protestants and a heretic in the case of Catholics. Catholics have ceased, generally, calling Protestants heretics mostly because it is uncharitable. Protestants have not ceased calling Catholics non-Christian either directly or by imputation.

The Catholic and Orthodox Churches have preserved the ancient services, songs, prayers, scriptures and stories of the apostolic period. Protestant Churches have preserved the scriptures. I once heard someone speaking. Her husband is a priest in the Antiochean Orthodox Church. He used to be an Episcopalian priest. He was at a clergy luncheon and several Methodist ministers were complaining that their music was from the 1950's. His of course was from the '50's and no one had been changing it for nearly 2000 years. Talk about lack of creativity!

Protestants protested, rightly, abuses within the Church. Incorrectly, their solutions was to split the Body of Christ into about five pieces at the time. Now it is split 46,000 ways. Which one is the correct church, the one Catholic Church or one of the 46,000 Protestant denominations. The one that still proclaims the first message or the one that finds a new message and rejects all the other old ones.

Protestants, at least most of them, are Christians because they are baptized into the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and trust and believe in the Father because they trust the Son in the Spirit. Some Catholics, particular individuals, would not qualify as Christians or Catholics but that is a personal issue and not a systemic issue.

Answer 3

Some Christians do not remember Roman Catholics to be truly Christians, and those are normally protestants. But virtually, Roman Catholics are Christian however now not all Christians are Catholic. Roman Catholics are lead through the Pope in Rome. Protestants do not admire the Pope's authority and are equipped into hundreds of thousands of distinct denominations. The Eastern Orthodox(Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox) additionally don't admire the Pope, even though their teachings and ceremonies are similar to the Roman Catholics. The Eucharist is meant to be Jesus's Body and Blood, this can be a Holy Sacrament, an excessively most important facet of Catholic church rite. I do not think in it. I can sort of realise the notion however I am now not Catholic or Christian. Never be petrified of asking questions of your priest or fellow parishioners.

Answer 4

Only non-Catholic Christians are the ones who proclaim that Catholics are not Christians. Catholics agree that they are Christians. non-Christians would agree that Catholics are Christians.

Remember that the bulk of all Christian tradition started from Catholicism, and most other Christian denominations broke away from the Roman Catholic Church at some point in history.

The basic tenets of Christian faith include following the teachings of Jesus Christ, as presented in the scriptures of the Bible. Catholics, like all other Christians, do believe these things. Unlike some Christians who believe the Bible and nothing else, Catholics also have a long tradition of church authority to guide them and help place the scriptures into context.

Answer 5

Many catholics are truly Christians, but most just think they are. Catholicism is heavily influenced by paganism. Just study it. Many catholics can not differentiate between pure paganism and Christianity. They have no concept of right or wrong. Most catholics who develop a love for the Bible eventually leave the church. Its sad but true. Check out some apologetics websites, and listen to some educated ex-catholics and you will see what I mean. I do not hate catholics, I have several friends who are. I do not like the system, its faulty at best.

Answer 6

All 1.1 billion Catholics in the world believe that they are Christians.

Most of the other 1 billion Christians in the world believe Catholics are Christians.

A few Christians have judged that we are not.

Let us pray that all Christians in the world to come together in a more united Body of Christ.

With love in Christ.

Answer 7

In documents dating from circa 200 A.D. a reference is made to the Christian community of Rome as a "catholica" institution, Latin for universal. The writer of this document was Ignatius, the second leader of the Christian community after the death of the apostle Peter. This reference is the first description of the Chritian church as "catholica." Since then, most of the customs retained by the Catholic religion have in fact remained- the Latin language, ceremonial dress, and base religious premises. Documents dating form the third century are fairly similar in doctrine to many beliefs held today. For more information go to www.catholic.com

Answer 8

Yes and No.

First we have to determine what the word "Christian" really means. If it indicates that someone believes Jesus existed, yes they all are.

However in the true context of the word Christian, there is no religion or denomination that can saw all of it's members are Christians.

To BE a Christian is to have a relationship with God. We have to be adopted into His family to BE a Christian. The first link shows how this happens.

The second tells about some that are not Christian but think they are.

Answer 9

Ok. Let's start by defining terms.

A Christian is a person who follows a religion based on the teachings of Christ.

A Catholic is a follower of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Roman Catholic Church is Christian in nature, but other churches (e.g. Protestant) are also Christian.

So, if you had a Venn Diagram, the Catholic circle is inside the Christian circle.

Answer 10

In the Book of John, Chapter 3, verses 3 through 21, it says that in order to reach the Kingdom of Heaven you must be "born-again". Christian (Little Christ) means that you have acknowledged you are a sinner, that Jesus died, and rose again for the forgiveness of our sins, and that even today He sits at the right hand of God interceding on our behalf. That Jesus IS your Lord and Savior. So, yes you can be a Christian attending a Catholic Church, but first and foremost you are putting Jesus ahead of any "man-made" rituals.

Answer 11

All Catholics are Christians. Catholicism is a denomination of Christianity. So no, all Christians are not Catholics.