what are the differences between christians and catholics?

Answer 1

While there are differences between every denomination of Christianity, your question reveals that you are a member of a protestant denomination, probably baptist or methodist. The major difference between what you likely consider "Christians" and "Catholics" is that the Catholics believe in something called "Holy Sacraments". A Sacrament is like a blessing from God that affects your status as a mortal. Some people have the sacrament of marriage and are married. Some people have the sacrament of ordainment (ie they are priests). Catholics have a much more reserved approach to religion. Their belief system is codified in such a way as to create "Rites" that incorporate the various sacraments to define a "correct" way to salvation. This tradition or "Rite" is a system of laws and ceremonies that are thought to fulfill the requirement of a sanctified life. While the catholic church does not prohibit people from worshipping God in other ways, the only ways they can _certify_ will result in true salvation are those that are defined by their Rites, and that's why you see more ostentatious and repetitive ceremonies during a Catholic Mass. The most common Rite in the U.S. is the Roman Catholic Rite. Protestant religions typically leave interpretation of the bible up the individual or small community. The Catholic church has taken the extra step to convene councils and have serious and definitive debates about biblical interpretation. The up side is that the Catholic Church is more self-consistent than any protestant church. The down side is that by codifying an interpretation, it leads to a form of religious legalism that can engender loopholes, and letter-of-the-law observance by Catholics, making it easier for people to take less responsibility for their actions so long as they are abiding by the letter of the law.


Please note, I am only touching on the differences here. It would take me weeks and weeks to talk about all the differences between the Catholic Church (and it's various Rites) and all of the other "Christian" religions. For example, it would probably shock you to think that both Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses call themselves Christians.

Answer 2

None. Catholics **ARE** Christians.

What you really mean to say is "What are the differences between PROTESTANTS and Catholics?"

Catholicism is both the oldest & largest denomination in Christianity with the Papacy going all the way back to St. Peter(St. Matthew, chapter 16).

Protestantism didn't come until around the 15'th or 16'th century.

After the Authority Of Christ, Catholicism emphasizes the authority of the Church, & then after thatm the authority of the Bible.

Protestants do the just the opposite: After the Authority Of Christ, they emphasize the authority of the Bible, & then the authority of which ever particular church they belong to.

Orthodox Christianity, which split from Catholic Christianity in the 10'th century, is just like Catholic Christianity except for the fact that they are not under the authority of the Pope. Rather, they have their own Patriarchs, which they trace all the way back to St. Andrew, the brother of St. Peter.

Answer 3

I think you mean the difference between Protestants and Catholics. Since all Catholics are Christian.

Christians follow Christ.

Protestants "protest." Each Protestant denomination has a different beginning.

Martin Luther, founder of the Lutherans, was the first. He "protested the pope." Which is why you'll hear many Protestants call Catholics "papists."

Martin Luther was the product of poor formation. He was pushed through seminary very quickly at a time when the black death had killed off so many people. Clergy included. He had a lot of misunderstandings about the very basics of Catholicism. And as such, his intellect ruled against it.

He went on to proclaim the deaths of many people. It was a very bloody time in history.

Then came Henry VIII. He actually received a papal award for being a sound defender of the faith against Martin Luther. But then he decided he wanted a divorce. But being married to the pope's cousin - divorce was a no go.

So, he declared himself sovereign of church and state and the Anglican church split from the Holy See.

More death.

I could go on. But I think you get the picture. Protestants "protest."

Answer 4

Catholics are Christians, but most Christians are not Catholics. Catholic refers to people who practice the religion of Roman Catholicism. Catholics recognize the pope as the head of the church, and follow the Catechism or "rules of the church." All non-Catholic Christians are Protestants, because these religions evolved out of Catholicism during the protestant revolution.

Answer 5

Roman Catholics were the first Christians, All other christian religions are offshoots of Catholicism. in other words, Catholics are the only true Christians since all the others left the faith

Answer 6

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 7

Catholics are the first and true Christians. All the Protestants churches broke away from the Catholic Church. They did this so they could get a divorce or other such sinful reasons. The Catholic Church was started by the 1st pope who was St. Peter. Anytime someone didn't like a certain rule of the church like Martin Luther or King Henry VIII they broke away and started their own church.

Answer 8

Christians believe that Jesus was resurrected from the dead after dying for all of our sins, and all we need to go to paradise when we die is be good Christians when we are alive, and accept Christ as our Savior. Catholics believe all this, but also believe that Hagar the Horrendous will bring on Ragnarok on the twelfth day of the waning moon of the year named for the Dog.

This is why Catholics are outlawed, and any we find are barbecued.

Answer 9

The last time I look, Catholics were Christians, and in fact, it is the original Christian church! All other churches are called, Catholic Lite because the following churches decided that the laws of God were too hard to follow. Good luck

Answer 10

RCs are not Christians... they do not have any assurance of ther Salvation... That is in direct oposition to the teachings of Jesus The Christ. No priest or pope can say they know they are going to Heaven. A priest can get kicked out if he tells any one they are "saved"... for that reason alone the RCs are not of The True Christian Faith.... All of The Christian Faith know with certainty tht they are going to enter Heaven. That is God's assurance to all who come to Him in The Way He proscribes.