Is being Christian the same as being Catholic?

Answer 1

Yes and no.

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

A Catholic is in fact a Christian. Yes there are differences between Protestants and Catholics but either way Christ is lifted up, and is recognized as the only means of Salvation. In our Mass we celebrate Christ and we celebrate the redemption we have through Him. And what better way to finish this celebration than to share a meal together as a community and give thanksgiving (Eucharist) to our Lord. As a Catholic I’m believer in both sacred scripture and sacred tradition which was passed on to the Church throughout the ages. I think people that say Catholics aren’t Christian don’t know a whole lot about what a real Catholic is in the first place.

Answer 3

Before the Reformation which occurred in the 1600's there were only two types of Christians Roman Catholics And the Anglican
church. (Church Of England) Both had their own Pope and laws.
When the Reformation Took place all of a sudden you had all types of different Christians. But the answer is no A Christian regardless of which tenet they follow Believes that each and every person can communicate directly to God or Christ without someone to intercede for them on their behalf, and that upon Death they will go directly to heaven. Catholics though they believe in the Same God and the Jesus Christ, do not The Pope is in their faith the earthly link to God here on earth. To say who is right or who is wrong is not something I wish to get into at this time let's just say that as a spiritual being, that no one religion is completely right and neither is it completely wrong . You as an Individual need to make that desicion for yourselves.

Answer 4

I agree with maeves_child. I'm a Christian, but I am not Catholic. My niece is Catholic, but she is also a Christian.

Catholics have all sorts of "rules" that one is supposed to follow. These "rules" are not in the Bible, though. Christians follow the Bible and pray to God, not Mary and other Saints. Christians don't need a go between, they confess their sins to God, not to a priest. Beliefs on Baptism and Communion differ, as well.

1 Timothy 4:1-6 deals with false teachings. If you read it, by knowing that Christians follow what the Bible says, you'll see some of what I'm getting at.

Answer 5

The term Christian can envelope both Catholics and Protestants. There are some born again Christians who are Catholics and some born again Christians who are Protestants.

Loosely, however, "Christian" includes Catholics and Protestants. However, I have notice that in some situations (Myspace, for instance) Catholics and Christians are two different categories.

Answer 6

The word 'Christian' means "follower of Christ".

In other words, people can say they're Christians, but if they don't follow Christ, they are not really Christians.

God's Word says that we are not allowed to pray to anyone but Him. Yet most catholics pray to saints and virgin Mary. They are not following God's command.

Most people will argue that if you tell a lie that means you are not a Christian too. Well, true, it is not Christ-like manner. Thats why Christians need to grow more in God's Word.

I also know some people who call themselves catholic but act more Christian than anything. They are truly Christian too.

To put it in short. Christianity is NOT a religion. It is a way of life.

Hope you understood that.
God bless you.

Answer 7

Right, Catholicism is a type of Christianity, the first type actually. And WOW! Some of you have the wrong info. I've been attending Mass since I was born, and we've never "worshipped" Mary or the Saints. Yes we hold them in very high regard. I think that the woman who gave birth to Jesus, the son of God, should be held in high regard. Don't you? I have often had to correct people who say we worship Mary, & thanks to some answers here being wrong, now more people will think that . . . oh well, such is life. I think I'll go pray now . . . to a Saint. Now, who's the patron Saint of patience . . . you know those Catholics they have a saint to "worship" for everything in life . . .

P.S. Peter was the first Priest of the Catholic church, appointed by Jesus, so I don't see how you could say Christianity was around before Catholicism. Catholicism was the first form of Christianity,

Answer 8

I think it used to be that way back in the middle ages, but these days, you can be Christian without being Catholic, and people who are Catholic are still Christians.

Answer 9

Catholics are all Christians but not all Christians are Catholic. Baptism in Chirst's name is what units all Christians.The biggest separation between the two is the, "Pope's authority" ...

{{{836 "All men are called to this catholic unity of the People of God. . . . And to it, in different ways, belong or are ordered: the Catholic faithful, others who believe in Christ, and finally all mankind, called by God's grace to salvation."

838 "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter." Those "who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church." With the Orthodox Churches, this communion is so profound "that it lacks little to attain the fullness that would permit a common celebration of the Lord's Eucharist."}}}

Answer 10

No, Catholics believe many things that Christians do not, including pergatory and pennance (both of those things make Christ's sacrifice virtually useless), the elevation in status of Mary, and they've added a lot of extra books to the Bible.
There's much, *much* more; if you want to know some more in-depth stuff, you can email me!