My husband says Catholic and Christians are one in the same as far as their religion goes, I beg to differ?

Question

Is this so, I thought Catholics prayed to all those Saints and the Virgin Mary and stuff, how is that the same as a Christian. Am I missing his point or something?

Seriously this religion stuff is very confusing why have a religion why not just pray to God live a good life and be done with it? Thanks so far everyone as confusing as it is, I'm learning something here.

Answer 1

Catholics are Christian...Christian means to believe in Christ. On a slightly different note, How can all of you (those who have responded to this ?) self proclaimed Christians despise a certain religion (i.e. catholic) Doesn't your religion teach you that you are not to judge and to love thy neighbor, regardless?

Answer 2

During the time of Jesus, the Romans were the dominant power in the world, Rome was actually considered by people as the centre of the world. This is why the Vatican is situated in Rome. Jesus said to St Peter, you are rock and on this rock I will build my church. St peter was the first bishop of Rome, hence the name ROMAN Catholic church.
Most other denominations of Christians have originated from the Roman Catholic church - mainly due to people not agreeing with the strict teachings of the church. the catholic church over the years have made up many of there own rules that Jesus did not actually make himself. ie no sex before marriage. And they have left out many gospels from the original bible. So to answer your question, catholics are christians, just like presbyterians, protestants and baptists to name a few. It is the doctrine of Jesus Christ and the Creed which are the same for all christians.

Basically, the Catholics are the original Christians, all the rest are splitters. It wasn't until recently that the Pope decreed that catholics should recognise other denominations of Christian as actual Christians and allow them to join the catholic church. Non catholics still cannot break bread in a catholic church, however, catholics may break bread in some other churches if they are personally invited.

Answer 3

All Catholics are Christian, but not all Christians are Catholic. Catholics were the first Christians and the other branches broke off of Catholics over human pride and debate. Example, The Church of England was started so King Henry VIII could get a divorce, and Martin Luther protested some rules he didn't like.

Answer 4

They pray to saints and Mary to ask them to pray for them... to intercede on their part. But the whole idea of being a Christian, is that one believes that Jesus died for your sins and Catholics do believe that. Besides, the Catholic church is the first Christian church, besides the Greek Orthodox. Protestants, Baptists, Lutherans, etc... all came from the Catholic church.

Answer 5

You are right. ALL denominations that consider in Jesus Christ are Christian. Hence the basis of the phrase... CHRISTian. Roman Catholicism was once the fashioned and primary founded church via and for the fans of Christ, or Christians. That might be why a few could say that they're the "actual" Christians. Everything else is misplaced in the main points of devout train, culture and doctrine, none of which negate the perception in Christ. I do not believe it is proper to vindicate or condemn someone situated on denomination. God is within the industry of reality and is aware of what is in a man or woman's middle, bigger than that identical man or woman allow by myself every body else. He by myself is the pass judgement on.

Answer 6

Well, because catholic is a category of christian. If im not mistaken there are different religions e.g. catholic, born again, iglesia ni kristo and many more, but all of them are christians they worship one GOD, which is Jesus. But you might think that why can't catholic priest can't get married and why can christian pastors can, right? Well its in the religion and in their beliefs, but its still a category of christian. Some people are just called catholics because they are. If you ask me why is christian called christians, don't they have any religion? they do but they don''t really specify it, christian are called "baptist" or "ensembles of Jesus"

Answer 7

+ Similiarities +

"What separates us as believers in Christ is much less than what unites us." (Pope John XXIII)

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 many 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.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm

+ Saints +

Catholics share the belief in the Communion of Saints with many other Christians, including the Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Episcopal, and Methodist Churches.

The Communion of Saints is the belief where all saints are intimately related in the Body of Christ, a family. When you die and go to heaven, you do not leave this family.

Everyone in heaven or on their way to heaven are saints, you, me, my deceased grandmother, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Mother Teresa.

As part of this family, you may ask your family and friends here on earth to pray for you. Or, you may also ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Andrew, or your deceased grandmother in heaven to pray for you.

Prayer to saints in heaven is simple communication, not worship.

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p5.htm#946

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 8

You are correct; he has missed the details. For example, a Lutheran or a Baptist (or basically any other Christian besides Catholic) would never dream of praying to Mary or any of the saints, as we consider that to be idol worship. There are several other differences, but I think that is probably one of the the most important ones.
From religioustolerance.org:
Some beliefs of the Roman Catholic church and conservative Protestant denominations are in opposition to each other. Examples are:

The acceptance of the theory of evolution by the Catholic church, and the continuing rejection by most conservative Protestants.
The acceptance of homosexual sexual orientation -- but not same-sex behavior -- as morally neutral by the Catholic Church, but not by many conservative Protestants.
The rejection of the death penalty by the Catholic church, and the continuing acceptance and promotion by most conservative Protestants.
Catholics place ultimate authority in the Pope and Magesterium. Conservative Protestants place it with the individual Christian.
Catholics teach that the bread and wine during the mass becomes the actual body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus. Protestants generally regard the two components as symbolic of Jesus' body and blood.

Both Catholics and conservative Protestants generally agree on some major theological matters, like the existence of angels, Mary's virgin conception; Jesus' sinless life, incarnation, crucifixion, bodily resurrection, and his imminent return of Jesus to Earth in the second coming; Heaven, Hell; the Trinity, and the deity of Jesus. They agree that his execution brought about atonement -- the potential to bridge the gulf between humanity and God caused by sin. However they disagree on how this was achieved. They partly agree about the significance of baptism, but disagree about the timing when it is normally performed. They do not agree on which books are included in the official canon of the Bible.

Perhaps the main difference between conservative Protestantism and Roman Catholicism is expressed by the "five Solas". "Sola" means "alone" in Latin. The first three Sola statements of the early Protestant movement stressed that:

"Sola Scriptura:" The Bible is the sole authority for Christian beliefs and practices. The Catholic Church stresses a balance between Biblical support and the tradition of the Church itself.
"Sola Gratia:" One is saved through grace alone, given to the believer by God directly. The Catholic Church stresses the importance of church sacraments as a channel for God's grace.
"Sola Fide:" Salvation is by the individual's faith alone in trusting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Again, the Catholic Church stresses the importance of church sacraments.

Answer 9

No ur not, christian believe in what they not see. Catholics need these "idols" to pray and really a big difference. Christians are more spiritual than Catholics. Most catholics i know r just pure sinners. I as a christian dont think there is anything in common except that we believe in one God. I know we make mistakes. but why when they make mistakes need to confess to a priest. when the one we should confess to is God who keeps record, not Mary or any other person

Answer 10

Have you heard of the Reformation, where Protestants broke of from Catholism? Catholics where here before the Christians

Answer 11

you are right, my husband is catholic and im lutheran, my religion doesnt have all the praying to the saints and we also dont recognize the pope. i mean we know about him but thats as far as it goes, the catholic religion makes a big deal about the pope and all the saints. Bottom line on religion is that we have agreed to disagree