how does Christian beliefs differ from Catholic beliefs?

Answer 1

Almost all important doctrine is completely agreed upon between Catholic Christians and other Christians.

Here is the joint declaration of justification by Catholics (1999), Lutherans (1999), and Methodists (2006):

By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works.

There are some minor doctrine issues and some major cultural traditional differences which, I believe, do not matter that much.

A Catholic worships and follows Christ in the tradition of Catholicism which, among other things, recognizes that Christ made Peter the leader of His new Church and Pope Benedict XVI is Peter's direct successor.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Catholics are Christians.

Christians are anyone who follow the teachings of Christ. It used to be Catholics were the *only* Christians. Then came a split, and we had the Eastern Orthodox Christian religions (Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, etc.,) and the Catholic Church in Rome. Later came the Reformation with Martin Luther, and Western Christianity was then split into Catholics and Protestants.

I think what you're calling "Christians" just means "Protestants." It might be you also mean "born-again Christians."

Trust me, Catholics are Christians. The main difference now between Catholics and Prostestants (that would make the most sense to answer here) is that Catholics follow the Pope as their supreme earthly leader, and Protestants do not. Also, Catholics have certain rites that Protestants don't, like Confession, Absolution, Confirmation, etc.

Answer 3

Catholics are christians, but most people here are wrong when they say catholics were first. The first christians had many different sects. The western Roman church brought together all the sects within their sphere of influence under catholicism in the 2nd and 3rd century.
Whilst the eastern church allowed a greater amount of religious diversity but still bound together a lot of the sects under Orthodox christianity. In addition a number of sects stayed separate and to this day survive.
In the 16th century there was a great amount of dissent within the western church and Martin Luther led a breakaway section of the church. The inability of the catholics to put this rebellion down led to many other sects springing up leading to the reformation and the protestant religions. The name protestant comes from a small group of protesters at a meeting held to heal the rifts.

Answer 4

Excellent Question. I commend you for this one.

Let me sink my teeth into it.

Conflicts, strife, misery, frustration...all stem from the differences within Christianity.

Christians believe in Jesus and the Cross.

Too much was altered along the way, that we now have either disbelief or belief that is modified and made simplistic.

The catholic church has had a good stronghold over the masses for ages, and then Christians began branching off, and then there was turmoil in England over King Henry V111 and the Pope not accepting his infidelities.

And so throughout history, splinter groups broke off from established Christian religions to a point where they mislead the masses and people follow like sheep the wrong leaders.

It would be better if we just studied the life of Jesus, assembled in an attractive building that looks like a church should appear, and became united in Jesus.

Also, stop simplifying religion...it requires lots of practice and should be integrated in our daily routine and not just practiced for one hour on Sunday.

In this fast pased era, we need Jesus more than ever, so I put up Crosses all over my home and acknowledge that Jesus is among us everywhere we go.

The differences within Christianity are destroying all of us from within.

With good moral and family values and living according to what the Master recommends, we would all be better off.

Answer 5

There are a few "doctrinal" differences that come in to play. Most notably, the Catholic church has a slightly different Bible with a few extra verses. There's some differences on "salvation by grace alone" compared to "salvation by grace plus works" and the whole "purgatory" thing.

Generally, I count my Catholic bretheren to be Christian. Keep in mind that it is possible to be a Catholic and not Christian. Don't let that stop anyone, it's possible to be Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, whatever, and still not be Christain too...

Answer 6

Umm, Catholics are a subset of Christians. Of course since Christianity has been fractured into countless factions and each of these factions having their own spectrum of beliefs and since some of these subsets believe that they and only they are the really true Christians, we have a wee bit of a terminology problem here.

Without knowing what you mean by Christian (lutheran, Bapistist, evangelical) and which particular train of thought of that movement you are, I cannot accurately answer this question.

Also what is church orthodoxy and what most catholics actually believe/practice is debatable since the church is one of the most conservative institutions on the planet, while the population is (primarily on birth control but also on other issues) somewhat less than dogmatic.

Catholics believe that their priests can absolve you from sin through the rites of confession, while most protestant churches hold that it is through accepting Jesus as your one true lord and saviour that you are granted forgiveness of your sins.

Catholic teachings also hold that the Pope (as heir to St. Peter who was heir to Jesus' church) is the vice-roy of God and the head of the true Christian Church on earth. Some papal decrees are even considered to be infallible because of this exalted status.

Answer 7

catholic means Universal. it does not differ. the question should probably be how does Roman Catholic church differ from Christian beliefs. Let me know if that is what you are actually asking.

Answer 8

The essential beliefs are the same, however Catholics practice things such as confession to a priest that other branches of Christianity do not. It's simply a matter of rituals and practices(doctrine) that is different.

Answer 9

Plenty. Certain books were omitted in Protestant Churches; ritual practices, veneration on images of Saints, Holy Mother, Jesus etc. Purgatory is the stop-over for Catholic faith, while Protestant Christians take "direct flight" to heaven/ hell.

See the crucifix at their churches.Protestantism took down the corpse of Jesus out of the crucifix, while Catholicism kept the corpse nailed there since 2,000 yrs ago to remind them that Jesus died on the cross.

Catholics are the "original" Christian while Protestants are reformed Christians. It is said All Catholics are Christians but not all Christians are Catholics.

Just like human, chimp, monkey, ape, orang utan are primates, but not all primates are human. Hahaha.

Answer 10

Actually Catholic is a branch of Christian, just like the many others. Just subtle different takes on the writings.