Okay, so awhile ago I was talking to a friend and she declared that Catholics aren't Christians. Is this true? Or was I right to have looked at her like she was a " lil nuttsobuttso "?
Thanks so much!
2006-07-20 07:05:35 · 16 answers · asked by Doot 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Any religion that follows Christ teachings is Christian
2006-07-20 07:10:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catholicism has it's own doctrines that are not specifically mentioned in the Bible. There are many rituals that are not specifically Christian, as well as concepts taken very literally by the Catholic church that are not actually spelled out within the Bible itself and not 'taken up' by any other doctrines.
If by 'follower of God' in General, you can say yes, but specifically, no.
For example, Catholics have a concept called 'transubstantiation', where the 'body of Christ' that you eat during communion ACTUALLY BECOMES the BODY (Catholics only).
Most Christians would say that the act of the drinking/eating is REPRESENTATIVE of our fellowship with Jesus..
Another example would be the need for Priests as 'intermediaries' between the human and God.
Christians accept Jesus as their permanent representative, allowing all believers to 'talk directly to God', being found acceptable because of His sacrificial death (no more slaughtering lambs needed!).
Catholic doctrines follow the Bible in general, but there are many concepts that all other schools of Christianity do not follow - they are found only in Catholicism. Do some searching on 'Catholicism'.
2006-07-20 14:18:37 · answer #2 · answered by Shad 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a hard Question to answer with out being offensive.
I'm sure there is not a single Catholic that doesn't feel he's a christian. There is a world of scripture that would disagree.
The main difference is this. The Bible is not the authority in the Catholic Church but the Holy Fathers in Rome.
You can show a Catholic that Jesus had four brothers who are mentioned by name in matthew. and where Jesus himself said " call no man on earth Father for that is reserved for your Father in heaven"
Or the qualifications of a priest in timothy.
to be the husband of one wife having their children in subjection, for how can one rule the house of God if their own house is not in order.
It goes on and on , old and new testaments.
I will give you a rule of thumb, pay attention,,,THE BIBLE IS NOT WHERE YOU PROVE YOUR RELIGEON, IT'S WHERE YOU FIND IT.
Jesus said if you love me you'll obey my commandments ,there's only one place to find them......
2006-07-20 14:26:10 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, Catholics don't really consider themselves Christians even though they started Christianity.
They consider themselves Catholics which is a whole other entity in it self. It's sort of hard to explain and I don't quite understand it myself. The only way I can explain it, i guess, is that Catholicism is the "true" religion and the other domination's are just branches off of it....so they're consider Christrians.
*Sigh* I know.
2006-07-20 14:12:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All Catholics believe they are Christian, but most are not. Any religion that places an obstacle between sinful man and God is a cult. Obstacles would include a priest, pope, Mary, church, sacraments, saints and so on. Few Catholics are really Christian, and those that are -are so not because they are Catholic but in spite of it.
2006-07-20 14:10:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are a follower ot the teachings of Jesus Christ, I'll call you a Christian. She may not see it that way. I wonder why she thinks that way.
There are some goups who believe if you call yourself anything but a Christian you aren't a "real" Christian.
Do you know how many different groups of Christians there are in the US alone? Instead of giving her the nettsobuttso look you should have asked her why she thought that way. *BG* As Christians we have to overlook the ignorance and misunderstands of others. Sometimes have to correct their ignorance and misunderstandings --But try and do it gently.
2006-07-20 14:17:49 · answer #6 · answered by namsaev 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catholics are Christians. =)
2006-07-20 14:08:44 · answer #7 · answered by Becky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catholic is a sub-catergory. Anybody who beleives Jesus was some sort of messiah is a Christian, anything after that is just details (but that's where the devil is)
2006-07-20 14:09:24 · answer #8 · answered by DonSoze 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter. God knows who are His. It is not about religion. It is about relationship. There are people in all religions that are not right with God, themselves, or others. Jesus said, "only God is good." What ever mistakes are made in religious beliefs are not what make us Christian or not. It is Jesus Christ that makes us Christian. "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."
2006-07-20 14:12:54 · answer #9 · answered by cathyhewed1946 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are if they have trusted in Jesus alone for the forgiveness of their sins.
However, if they believe that the are saved by God's grace and their works, then they are not saved -- even if they believe their works are done by God's grace -- since they then deny the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice.
Shall I save a seat for you in hell? You can sit right next to me.
2006-07-20 14:10:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catholics are christians, but their views and hipocrisy of their teachings are one of the main reason people are driven to atheism.
2006-07-20 14:09:13 · answer #11 · answered by freddyboy0729 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋