Catholics are not Christians? who thinks that way? and why?

Question

what are the factors that lead up to this conclusion?

i am asking merely out of curiosity, so please don't be offended people. thank you.

LOL! chit-chaat7, you got it all mixed up! hahahahaha! it's the Orthodox Church that broke away from the Catholic Church! haha, very funny, but thank you for sharing your opinion.

Answer 1

The Catholic Church is the original and one True Christian Church. All others came after and are wannabes.

Answer 2

I am very surprised that anyone would think Catholics are not Christians. You expect most people to know that Catholics believe in Christ.
rayj1962 - the first and oldest church in Christendom is the Orthodox Church. the Catholics broke away from them in the 11th century.

Answer 3

I think there are many people who do, though it's a generalization which is not necessarily deserved.

In order to be a Christian, you must believe in the essential teachings of Christ (e.g., the Deity of Jesus Christ; the sinfulness of all men which separates them from God; the fact that Christ was sacrificed on the cross for our sins, died, and rose again the third day; this gift of salvation is available for the asking - all you have to do is ask Jesus to be Lord of your life).

These essentials of Christianity are taught across denominational boundaries, so whether Episcopal, Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, Non-Denominational, etc., there will be many people who believe and accept these and submit to Christ. Also, across denominational boundaries, there will be people who reject those essential teachings.

Now one could argue whether or not some denominations tend to agree or disagree with these teachings, and that's part of where the problem comes in. Then there's the extra stuff some of the denominations throw in which seems to 1) detract from the essential teachings, or 2) alter or even contradict those teachings, which also gets a number of people up in arms (figuratively).

To many, the Catholic Church has altered many of these teachings, elevating people (e.g., Priests, the Pope, Mary, etc.) and things (e.g., many of their ceremonies) into higher areas of importance that many think they should be, and appear to many as borderline idol worship (or maybe outright idol worship, as the case may be).

I've heard a lot of people say, "I grew up Catholic, and then I became a Christian." It normally happens when they actually sit down and read the Bible. Unfortuantely, I've also heard a lot of people say, "I grew up Catholic, and now I'm an atheist." It's a little disheartening.

Answer 4

I'm a baptist and would say that there are some fundamental errors in the catholic church such as grace conveyed through works such as sacraments and not fully trusting that Jesus can save you with just your acceptance of him.

First I have to define a christian. A christian is someone who trust Jesus alone to save them from their sins. If a person does this they are a christian no matter what their religion is. I don't think that Catholicism portrays an accurate explanation on how to attain salvation, yet many people see through the Vail and may catch on to the idea that one may obtain grace through faith in Jesus alone.

So "Catholics are not Christians" is not an inaccurate statement. I would say that all religions who follow Christ as God are what is called Christendom. Catholicism is one sect of Christendom that has a low ratio of Christians.

I still praise God for those who have come to Christ for salvation while in the Catholic Church

Hope this helps
God Bless

Answer 5

The first pope was St Peter I think to get into heaven he will be waiting at the pearly gates for you with his best friend Jesus who said Peter you are my rock and on it I will build my church,the twelve apostles were the first to go out and spread Christs word some becoming saints in the process.Then came all the others who when they didnt like the churchs rules started another church that suited them. Also you cant be a catholic unless you are a christian that is why we celebrate the last supper.

Answer 6

I grew up Catholic, then I began to read the Bible for myself. Catholics believe in Jesus, but they don't 'follow' Him as what is defined by Christianity. Most of the traditions and feasts of the Catholic church are not Biblical and are pagan in origin. Most of their practices are completely contradictory to the Bible. The Catholic church believes that it has been given the authority by God to make their own rules and change the instruction and feasts God gave us in the Bible. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that anyone has been given this authority, as a matter of fact all over the Bible it says the complete opposite.
There are many commandments of God that are broken by the Catholic church and their teachings focus on salvation by works and belonging to the Catholic Church - this is not only contradictory to the Bible but makes a mockery of what Jesus did on the cross , which unfortunately is what much of the teachings of the Catholic church do.


It is a HUGE deception to teach and believe that the Catholic church was the first church- what a lie- the Catholic church came from the time the Romans , for political reasons decided to convert to Christianity, unfortunatley it was a conversion of convenience and not the heart because the kept all of their pagan traditions, feasts and practices and just renamed them so it could seem they were honoring God. Read the Bible- the first church were Jews - the Hebrew people who accepted that Jesus was the promised Messiah- they still celebrated all of the feasts of the Lord (not Jewish feasts but feasts God Himself instituted celebrating Jesus and the marriage feast of the Lamb) they still followed Gods perfect instruction, knowing it was not for their salvation, they recognized that Jesus always was the way to salvation, the instruction was to give them a way to live a set apart , sanctified and blessed life- the original church were Jews who rejoiced in the fact that the promised Messiah had come ! The Catholics do not resemble the first church in any form or fashion.

Answer 7

I'm not offended. Thank you for asking. I believe Catholics are Christians, because the Catholic Church is the first Christian church. I believe it is the Church that Jesus founded, and the only church that claims to be one, holy, catholic (universal), and apostolic. I believe Jesus when he said that the gates of hell will not prevail against His Church. (Mt. 16)
God Bless you, and check out this website:

http://www.biblechristiansociety.com

Answer 8

Christians, name taken by the followers of several evangelical preachers on the American frontier, notably James O'Kelley, Abner Jones, and Barton W. Stone, all of whom were antisectarian. Some congregations joined the Disciples of Christ (see Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a body with similar emphasis founded by Thomas Campbell and Alexander Campbell, and the name Christians continued to be applied often to members of the Disciples' church. Other congregations of Christians united as a separate body that ultimately took the name of the Christian Church; this was merged in 1931 with the Congregational churches and the merged group became known as the Congregational Christian churches (see Congregationalism).

A follower or disciple of Jesus; someone who believes Jesus is the Christ or Messiah. The New Testament mentions that the followers of Jesus were first called Christians within a few years after his death.

One who believes that the New Testament is a divinely inspired book admirably suited to the spiritual needs of his neighbor. One who follows the teachings of Christ in so far as they are not inconsistent with a life of sin.

One who believes that the New Testament is a divinely inspired book admirably suited to the spiritual needs of his neighbor. One who follows the teachings of Christ in so far as they are not inconsistent with a life of sin.

A Christian is a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, referred to as Christ. Christians believe Jesus to be the Son of God, who lived a life befitting that of the creator of the universe, free of sin, who at the end of his earthly life was crucified, and then on the third day, rose from the dead, and later ascended into heaven. These beliefs are held by the vast majority of Christian denominations.

Christians believe that Jesus offers salvation, and that it is only possible because of him. Apart from Jesus Christ, there is no salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 states that "It is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God that no one should boast" (NIV). Humans cannot save themselves through good works, but only Jesus can. Good works, however, are a result of living according to the Word of God. Christians identify themselves as monotheistic, believing that there is one God. Most sects incorporate God as a perichoresis of three persons: Father (the Source, the Eternal Majesty); the Son (the eternal Logos or Word, incarnate as Jesus of Nazareth); and the Holy Spirit (the Paraclete or advocate). Today, it is estimated that there are around 2.1 billion Christians in the world making up 33% of the world population, with the largest Christian denomination being Roman Catholicism.[1]

Some Christians or denominations do not necessarily hold the above beliefs, see Liberal Christianity.



So, technically, yeah, they are. (Personally, I think they stretch it a little. I say this because I was born a Babtist, married a Catholic, and am now more gnostic than anything because nothing else feels completely on the 'up and up' anymore...did to much religious research I guess!)

Answer 9

Catholics can be Christians. It all comes down to whether or not an individual has a personal relationship with Christ. Catholics are known for not seeking God directly. They go to a priest for confession of their sins instead of God and pray to saints instead of speaking directly to God. The Bible tells us that the only way to the Father is through His Son Jesus. Hopes this helps.
24-7 Jesus

Answer 10

I am a born-again Christian, not Catholic, but whoever believes this is ridiculously ignorant. Christians are merely those who follow Christ. Of course Catholics follow Christ. Personally I have disagreements will some of the traditional practices of Catholics, but that doesnt make them non-Christians!