Why can't people understand that catholics are Christians?

Question

If you believe in GOD and worship him you are a christian, i was raised baptist and converted to catholic, i live my life in a christian matter and worship god, there is not a big difference between the catholic belief and other donimonations. you go you learn about GOD and you pray.

Answer 1

I think there are a couple of reasons for this.

One is that all of Christianity is colored by paganism because it took hold first in pagan areas. So, for me, the Lord's supper or Eucharist is very pagan though practiced by most Christian churches. Why? Because it harkens back to some pagan beliefs in canibilism where one may eat a dead rival to get their power or where one eats dead relatives to honor them. It also reminds me of how in vodou one must "feed the gods". As a Christian I never noticed this until I studied vodou and other religions.

Because Catholicism has so many saints and can be very complex it confuses many people who believe that the saints are worshipped as gods. And, some people have documented relationships between certain saints and pagan gods.

When I attended Catholic Church in Quebec, Canada it was exactly like many protestant ones other than you prayed for the Pope and I figured he needs everyone's prayers. But, some other Catholics put more emphasis on Saints and Mariology which we have trouble understanding as protestants.

However, I believe that the hostility of many protestants toward Catholics goes back to an earlier, little examined, period in the colonialization of the US. There are many in the US whose protestant ancestors were kicked out of German speaking Catholic countries and came to the US via England or Holland. They may not even know of their German origins because if you were not Catholic you wouldn't have been baptized and they just think they are English or Dutch. French Huguenots (protestants) chased out of Catholic France were also like this. (Some Jews even became Huguenots as it was closer to Judaism than Catholicism.) They fled to England and Holland and may not fully recognize their origins and even if they do may remain hostile to Catholicism. But, their ancestors passed down a hate towards all Catholics which is very irrational by now. Some of these even became Irish protestants before going to the US.

One example of how irrational it can be. My grandfather was nursed and his life saved by Catholic sisters. Instead of being grateful about that and realizing that without Catholics none of us would be born, my family often had strong anti-Catholic sentiment. And, we even have Catholics in our family tree on my Mom's side! My Dad's first cousin is irrationally hostile toward Catholics even though they saved her favorite uncle (my grandfather). But, she was largely raised by Irish protestant uncles so carries their hostility to Catholicism. And, she is old. Her descendants don't feel that way.

Answer 2

I admire your attempt at unity, but I still can't accept that. I don't think Catholics are Christians for many reasons. One is that they pay respect to the Virgin Mary. I understand that she was the mother of Jesus, but the Catholic Church has morphed simple respect for her into outright apotheosis. First, the idea of Immaculate Conception, which states that Mary was born without sin. That is nowhere to be found in the Bible. Then, the Catholic Church granted Mary the power of forgiveness of sins, when the Bible states, in no uncertain terms, that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light, and that no one can go to God except through him. Also, the idea conceived by the Catholic Church that Mary is Queen of Heaven is not substantiated by the Bible. The Catholic Church has not recognized Mary as what she is, an ordinary human used by God to bring our Saviour into the world, but has made her into something to be worshipped. Of course, the Bible goes against this, because it has been stated over and over in the Bible that God is the only God, and beside him, there is no God (Isaiah 45).
The same thing happens with saints. Instead of praying to Jesus directly, they pray to a saint, when the Bible allows us to pray directly to God and Jesus. Finally, there's the recognition of the pope by Catholics as the "Holy Father," even though the Bible says to call no man father upon the Earth because our Father is in Heaven. (Matthew 23:9). So, that pretty much amounts to worshipping the pope as a god. I don't have anything against Catholics, but I have to say that what they do is wrong, and it is not true Christianity at all.

Answer 3

No one doubts they are Christian, they just take shots because they have some different teachings (that may or may nor be valid). Plus, Catholics are the big dogs on the block, so to speak, when it comes to size. Remember that they broke off from the Catholics and there is still some animosity there.

I read above that the Catholics are stuck to old traditions and at times change course from biblical teachings. Don't forget the bible talked about slaves and was at times sexist. According the bible, none of their women followers can be pastors either because women aren't suppose to direct men.

Unfortunately I believe we have to infer edicts because the bible is 2000 years old and being touched by man, probably isn't perfect. I'm sure a lot of well meaning individuals have twisted things around according to their perceptions and sensibilities.

Answer 4

Kris,
I have read a few of the answers to your question, and I am a little amazed. I can't believe that none of them know, that the religion we call Christianity, was created by the Catholic church. Has no one heard of the Council of Nicea? Am I the only one? There was for all practical purposes, no such thing as orthodox Christianity, until it was officially created, in 325 A. D., at said council. It is a very long story, but the Roman Emporer Constantine, basically took over the movement known as "The Way", from the disciples of Jesus that year. Many of the original teachings of Jesus were lost. Many pagan aspects were added. What we know as the Bible, was put together by men called "Correctores", who edited the scriptures as needed, to fit the new "Official" religion of the Roman Empire. Legend has it, that Constantine marched his army through the local river, and proclaimed them baptised as "Christians". He was, in a sense, the first Pope. Most of the doctrines of the modern protestant church, were created there. Ever heard of the Nicene Creed? It is the source of the "saved by the blood of Jesus" doctrine. Jesus Himself, never taught that salvation was by human sacrifice. He taught that spiritual rebirth, the bonding of God's Spirit, and our spirit, would be the only way into the Kingdom of God. He also taught that the Kingdom of God, is within you. You never hear "Christians" talk about this much. It is always the "blood sacrifice" invented by the Catholics at the Council of Nicea. If you doubt any of this, go research it yourself. While your'e at it, find out why you really go to church on SUNday, while Jesus and His disciples, including Paul, always kept Sabbath on the 7th day. In the book of Acts alone, there are at least 80 instances of Paul keeping the Sabbath. Christians try to twist a couple of scriptures around, to try to justify the keeping of Catholic traditions. Sunday worship, was established centuries after Jesus rose. It was ordained by a Pope. If you go to church on Sunday, keep Christmas and Easter, you are not a protestant. You are obeying Papal ordinances, and setting the Commandments of God aside. I am not making any of this up. Go and check it out for yourself. The Truth will set you free.

Answer 5

I was converted by a fundamentalist pastor to Christianity, but reading Luther convinced me to be Catholic. Since then, I have felt really sorry that our separated brethern cannot find it in their hearts to set down their portion of the division and join into a single Christianity again.

That is truly sad.

On the other hand, it does look like the Evangelical Lutheran Church may go out of existence soon and be part of the Catholic Church again and with prayer, the Orthodox and Catholic Church will be completely one again. It would be wonderful to end the schism.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Answer 6

just believing in God and worshipping him does not automatically mean you are a christian!

A true Christian is a person who has put his or her faith and trust in the person of Jesus Christ and fact that He died on the cross as payment for sins and rose again on the third day to obtain victory over death and to give eternal life to all who believe in Him. John 1:12 tells us: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” A true Christian is indeed a child of God, a part of God’s true family, and one who has been given new life in Christ. The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God’s Word (1 John 2:4; 1 John 2:10).

Christianity teaches that we are saved through grace alone. Catholics however teach that you must be baptized, go to mass, etc. to be saved. So Catholics teach faith and works while Protestants say that works are not part of gaining salvation

Answer 7

I was once raised roman catholic, even went to a roman catholic college The Romans have been pleasant recognized for his or her Army and early democracy In Rome society had a hierarchy, very similar to the navy so within the Roman Catholic Church there was once a hierarchy as good The Angels and Saints made up that hierarchy, they have been the cut back ranks and expert. That's why you notice "So-and-So the Patron Saint of Blank" its additionally the intent Catholics move to confession, when you consider that you do not speak to God Priest do not speak to God, the Pope talks to God. Priest would pray to the Mother Marry, or the Saints

Answer 8

"Christian" was at first used as a disparaging name. The root of the name means little Christ. Much like the N word now adopted by the African community we have taken it.

There are 3 sects of Christianity in no apparent order.
1. CATHOLIC
2. Protestant
3. Orthodox

Anyone who suggests that Catholics are not Christians is not using sound inferences.

Answer 9

If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, if you believe For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever will believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. If you believe that Jesus healed the lame, made the blind to see and the dumb to talk, and raised the dead. If you believe that Jesus taught to love your enemies and do good to them that would hate you. If you believe that Jesus had compassion. If you believe He died on the cross and arose on the third day. Yes you are a Christian. When oh when will people stop using religion as a sign of Christianity. This is not what makes a Christian it is simply their belief in the Bible and the Lord Jesus Christ. Does no one read the Bible and see what Jesus said to the disciples, If they are not against me they are for me, let them alone. Please stop with the Religions and focus on the one that is truly important, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Answer 10

You're only Christian if you worship Jesus. Catholics do, so they're Christian. But Protestants have a bunch of issues, like with the hierarchy that Catholicism has, and the whole saint issue...

But hey, what do I know? I remain agnostic.

Answer 11

I was raised Baptist as well and have been a practicing Catholic now for 23 years. I don't understand either. God bless and keep you.
Peace of Christ,
Debra