What is the difference between the Catholic and Protestant religions?

Question

I am Catholic but I would like to know more about what Protestants believe and what is the difference between these two religions? I am just curious. Thank you very much.

Answer 1

Catholics do what the Pope says. The Pope interprets the Bible and sets the rules and all the Catholics do what he says. Protestant denominations allow people to think for themselves and interpret what the Bible says for themselves. People who believe the same things about the Bible get together in different groups and that's how new denominations are born. The only people protestants are accountable to is God. The clergy (Pastors, Ministors, Reverands) are educated in theology and present their interpretations of the Bible but Protestant churches don't excommunicate you for not believing what the clergy person says. Also, only Jesus can forgive your sins if you are a Protestant. In the Catholic church, you have to go through a priest to get forgiveness from Jesus. There are a lot of other differences too but they are to numerous to mention in one answer. Both Catholics and Protestants are Christian religions.

Here is a website I found about this issue. I didn't read it carefully to see if I agree with it but I thought it might be a good place for you to start. http://www.gotquestions.org/difference-Catholic-Protestant.html

Answer 2

It all started many many yrs. ago.
Some Catholic Clergy broke away from the church because the Catholic Hiarchy tried to keep the information
that exposed their beliefs false.
Like Luthor, Tydendale and others who were Catholic Clergymen. They even translated the scriptures into the common langeage so the common people can understand what the Catholic Church was hiding from the people. Most of these ones who once were Catholic Priests were burned at a stake with their translations tied around their necks so the word was spread anyway about the truth and these ones were called Protesters so the word Protestant developed...
There is no real big difference in their beleifs just some ranks,and dress code, so called holy water...but basiclly there doctrines are the same...trinity, communion of saints, resurrection of the body and life everlasting and many other ones.
But today most of them both sides want to come together.
No more do they want to be called Protestant...

Answer 3

While many will answer on a theological level, I'd suggest that the major difference is how authority is used.

In the Roman church, the Pope is Christ's vicar on earth. As such authority, and therefore biblical interpretation flows downward to the masses.

Protestant Churches, say that authority rests in Scripture, and that the scripture speaks to each of us. As such protestant churches have a more representative structure, where authority flows upward from the masses.

Therefore, choosing just one example, while the Pope may decree that only men may become priests, in the Protestant churches, it is a matter of debate among the members, before the majority rules.

Answer 4

I may be repeating what was already said but:

1. First off, technically speaking, not all non-Catholic Christians are "Protestants", for example, the Anabaptist's were not part of the reformation movement.

2. We believe in the priesthood of all believers. There is no clergy.

3. We don't believe in "sacraments", we have two ordinances, baptism, which is a public pronouncement of your faith, and communion, or the Lords table, which is remembrance of the last supper.

4. We have no mediator on earth, and only one in Heaven, Christ.
1Ti 2:5 For God is one, also there is one Mediator of God and of men, the Man Christ Jesus,

5. We believe in salvation by grace alone, through faith, in Christ alone. No works can be added to bring about salvation.

Answer 5

Anglicans (Episcopalians) and Lutherans have almost identical worship services. The major differences are that they don't have a pope. The number of sacraments are identical to the Catholics. The Baptists main difference is that they believe in baptizing children/adults who are old enough to consent. The Methodists and Presbyterians have different worship services and tend to celebrate Communion less frequently. There are multiple protestant denominations and within each denomination the services and the doctrine are different.

Answer 6

The number of sacraments is the main thing. Catholics have 7 and Protestants believe in 3.

Answer 7

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 8

in my hubby's church, the minister there was at one time a catholic priest.. he wanted a family, and became protestant. While I went with my hubby to his church, I saw no difference, between his church and mine.. catholic. I became a member of his church.. My parents were upset..
As it turned out, hubby's mom was catholic, before she too joined her hubby's protestant church.. we both did this to unite our (individual) family..

Wait! I take something back. there was a slight difference. As a Catholic, we shared bread and wine every Sunday, etc.. As a Protestant, it was done on special occasions.. so as not to be taken for granted.
I admit to missing the High Mass that the Catholics use to have.. wearing a scarf, or hat for the ladies.. the Catholic Church has changed greatly since I was a little girl growing up.. and more so for my mom.. etc.

Rather than check out the differences, check out what we share in common .

Answer 9

I'm a born-again Catholic, and, for me, there is a big difference. Here's the short answer:

As a Catholic, I was "born from above" (John 3:1-5) when I was baptized, as an infant. As a Protestant, you are "born from above" when you accept in your heart that Jesus is God and Creator of the universe, believe in your heart that He was risen from the dead and rely upon His sacrifice on the cross and His indwelt Spirit to guide all areas of your life.

As a Catholic, I was sanctified (made mature in my faith) by the works that I do, according to the traditions of the Church (a task which I found difficult and oppressive.) As a Protestant, I am sanctified by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and by reading/studying the Word.

As a Catholic, I used to believe that the Eucharist was the actual, factual, body and blood of Jesus as transfigured in the sacrifice of the Mass. As a Protestant, I feel that Holy Communion (called the Lord's supper) is a symbolic act, signifying my identification with the cross and willingness to share in the hardships and difficulties that Jesus endured during His ministry on earth.

As a Catholic, I was taught that I couldn't confess sin directly to God, but through a priest during Confession. I was also taught that I couldn't take my requests straight to the throne of God in prayer, but had to use the intercession of saints and Mary. As a Protestant, I boldly approach God to as for wisdom, forgiveness, needs for myself and others.

Answer 10

The differences are pretty significant. While "Protestants" are more like each other, generally speaking, than the Catholics, there are some pretty big differences between the denominations themselves.

Try looking at http://christianity.about.com/od/denominations/ and you will get a general idea of what the different denominations believe.