Why do some christians not consider Catholics as part of Christianity?

Question

I was a bit offended today when I saw this. Because My mom and dad are Catholics and obviously believe in Jesus (PBUH). And I did not like the fact that they where called "people without religion". I do not think that is right. Why would anyone say such a thing?

I do understand that there are differences, at the end of the day if the Catholic people identify themselves as Christians who are we to judge?

(I get tumbs down for asking Geezzzz)

Answer 1

Unfortunately there are many people who judge without taking the time to educate themselves. The Roman Catholic church is the largest Christian denomination in the world with over 1 billion people. The church traces their history back to Christ and the Apostles. Christ is the central figure of the church, so naturally, Catholics are Christian.

Answer 2

I think it's possible for catholics to be christian, but from what I could tell very few are, it's been my personal experience with the many catholics I have met that when I chat with them they have NO idea what the Gospel is. Repeat they have NO idea what the Gospel is. If someone considers themselves Christian they should be able to tell you , on the spot, what the gospel is, without being told. I get the impression that the vast majority of catholics, Catholocism or Christianity is just a plain old religion. Something that you practice, as a matter of fact in catholic circles I here often the words "practicing" or "nonpracticing" catholic. How can you practice non-practice having Jesus in your life. That doesn't make sense. Not from a Christian perspective. So I can't say that something=something it's not as simple as that, however the majority of em or a good chunk do not have the slightest idea what Christianity is. I don't want to generalize but that seems to be the situation.

Answer 3

Well, it's hard to lump all Catholics together. There are some who are ultra traditional, some liberal, and in between. I've known some Catholics as well as Christians who engage in things like premarital sex but still consider themselves true Christians.

Only God can be the judge in the end.

Some of the things that do bother me is that fact that Catholicism has seven sacraments that a person must adhere to in order to ultimately make it to heaven, (but first go through purgatory, when it's clear in the bible that when we die, we're immediately to be in the presence of the Lord). This is works-based and the Bible clearly says no amount of good works will get you to heaven, only through accepting Jesus. And to say that anything and everything the Pope says is infallible is pretty wild.

I've been browsing the following website and it's answered some of my questions. If you feel that this website is biased since it is a Christian Apologetics website, you should check out other websites that support other religions (mormonism, jehovah witnesses, Islam ) and decide for yourself what you believe to be true.

Answer 4

When Protestantism split from Catholicism (for good reason, I'll grant), they immediately had a problem, the same one everyone who tried to leave before had, no continuity. Mama Rome kept pointing out her "apostolic succession", showing a direct connection to Jesus through a long line of laid-on hands. The challenge for Protestantism was to do an end run around all of this. They had to find an angle that would trump this inspired tradition racket.

And they found it, the Bible. The Bible was the earliest surviving artifact so they picked out the most useful passages and declared the doctrine of "Sola Scriptura", effectively delegitimizing their opponents and legitimizing themselves by virtue of claiming to have made a course correction.

And it's been one side's word against the other's ever since. There are Catholics who see those damnable Protestant rebels for what they truly are, and Protestants who never miss a chance to disparage those perditious, idolatrous Catholics. They all make it hard for the rest of us.

Answer 5

A Christian church is supposed to teach what Christ and the apostles taught. The Catholics do have some apostolistic teachings, but they teach more "traditions" than bible. Many of these traditions go directly against what Christ taught. I see that others have listed them for you so I won't duplicate them. When Catholics hear so much of this tradition being preached, they are brainwashed into thinking that it is right because they are never to question a Priest. That is another tradition.
Jesus said "I am the way and the truth and the life." He did not say, "I am the tradition."

Answer 6

I was once born, raised, and baptized Greek Orthodox and I certainly not heard any point out of our perspectives on both faith. Although I do realize that I regularly heard JW being known as a cult by way of many Church and household contributors. however I in my view think that Mormons are Christians in each feel.

Answer 7

As an ex-Catholic this is why I left and found a new spiritual life in another Church. If you are Catholic and offended, I am sorry, this is how I saw it.

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You should answer to God, not a human Pope.

You should confess your sins and be forgiven by God, not a human priest.

My "Father" is in Heaven, not at the pulpit.

Women are the body of Christ - they should be able to lead Mass

The Catholic Church is extremely insensitive to spiritual needs of the gay community (if you are gay, you are not welcome. But if you are heterosexual sinner, that's okay?) Would Jesus deny people? The minute you purposely EXCLUDE anyone from Church, you are not doing the work of Christ.

You shall not worhip any other God than me --- but there is serious idolizing with Mary and the Pope.



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Answer 8

I agree with what Just Me said. Sadly, many criticize what they do not understand. If people would take the time to study the Catholic faith openmindedly, they would begin to realize that we do not worship statues, and saints, and Mary. They may not agree with everything the Catholic church teaches but they may come to realize that many of the things they beleive to be true about the church are common misconceptions.

Answer 9

I too was raised Catholic. As I got older I realized that there was alot of things in the Catholic religion that it says in the Holy Bible that we are not suppose to do. Prayers to Mary are worshiping someone other than God. Mary was a good lady but she is not God. Right now she is just another human as we are, just dead. Also the use of beads and such is also like using a statue or any graven image. Also we should not be going through a priest or any minister to confess our sins. This is up to us to confess to God on our own as it is only between us and God. Example: Going to a priest is like me telling you my sins and you telling my sins to God and asking God to forgive me. Another thing is the way they baptise infants as young as 3 months like I was. Baptism is for when we get saved and we are old enough to know why we are getting baptised. Because my parents are still Catholic and did all this, I now have to get re-baptised. My Catholic baptism means nothing. They are not people without religion, as they have a pretty good start, just that there are things that differ from the Bible. Also the Catholics use to kill other religions, such as the Hutterites for anti-baptism of infants. You can read this on www.hutterites.com

I hope I have answered your questions in a decent manner.

Answer 10

You're right. Catholics are certainly Christians.

Only the truly misguided or misinformed could claim anything else.