What's the difference between Catholics and Christians, if any?

Answer 1

"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.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

The religion of Christianity breaks down into Catholic or Protestant. Martin Luther had some problems with the Catholic church and broke away from the traditions and followed Scripture only. He protested, therefore the denomination is called Protestants.

Here's the problem with religion. I really don't think God came to earth in human form as Jesus Christ to establish a religion. Jesus didn't even come to earth to make a bad man good. Jesus came to make a dead man alive. Can't you see that people are spiritually dead and cannot understand the things of the spirit. Jesus said that you must be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven. - John 3:3. To be born again you must repent of your sins and trust Jesus to save you. Once you do this you will be born again and become a follower of the Way. You will become a converted Christian. That is Christianity. It is spiritual not religious.

Answer 3

Roman Catholicism, the Bible, and Tradition

One of the great differences between Protestant and Catholic doctrine is in the area of Tradition. The Protestant church maintains that the Bible alone is intended by God to be the source of doctrinal truth (2 Tim. 3:16). The Catholic Church, however, says, "Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture make up a single sacred deposit of the Word of God . . ." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 97. Note, all citations in this article are from this Catechism).

The Catholic Church reasons:

1. "The apostles left bishops as their successors. They gave them ‘their own position of teaching authority.'" (Paragraph 77)
2. "This living transmission, accomplished through the Holy Spirit, is called tradition..." (Par. 78)
3. "Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence." (Par. 82).

Within the Catholic scope of Tradition, many doctrines have been "revealed" to the Church over the centuries. For example, there is the veneration of Mary, her immaculate conception and her bodily assumption into heaven. There is also the apocrypha, transubstantiation, praying to saints, the confessional, penance, purgatory, and more. Protestantism as a whole differs with Catholicism in these additions.

Answer 4

The current difference is that a Christian follows only what it says in the Bible, whereas Catholics also follow Catholic doctrine.

Catholic doctrine currently contradicts many parts of the Bible.

Yes, some Catholics are still Christian, as there are many Catholics who aren't even aware of what is contained in Catholic doctrine.

I just did a quick Google, and the following site seems to illustrate well the flaws in Catholic doctrine.

http://www.bible.ca/cath-overview-false-teaching.htm

Answer 5

The main difference is that the Catholic church teaches stuff that isn't biblical. Things like:
indulgences
purgatory
praying to saints
calling Mary a co-redeemer with Christ
saying that the eurchaist is the actual body of Christ
salvation by works rather than by faith alone

here is a web site with more information:
http://www.reachingcatholics.org/mainpage.html

Answer 6

In a nutshell,Catholics believe one must perform sacraments (infant baptism,confirmation ...etc.etc..) in order to be saved. They believe you have to WORK for salvation even though as Paul said in Ephesians 2 ;8,9 (and as true born again Christians adhere to ) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.





It is a GIFT, one NEVER could and NEVER will be able to EARN a gift.

Here's a very informative website comparing Catholicism and other religions against the FAITH of Christianity.
http://www.contenderministries.org/catholicism.php

Answer 7

Catholics say the pope is in charge of their religion. Christians do not beleive in the pope. there are other differences but that is the main one. there are differences between different forms of christians, that is anglicans, baptists, mormans, etc.

Considering Catholicism came before any "Christian" religion I don't see how a Catholic could be a Christian. Being a Christian refers to someone following any different form of protestantism not just beleiving in Christ. If you mean that being christian just means believing in christ then you are right. I could be wrong but I think my definition is correct.

Answer 8

There are several forms of Catholic, so we will presume Roman Catholic. They are Christian. From interfaith dialogues (bigwigs talking), key areas include:
a) the nature of grace
b) the primacy of the pope
c) the number of sacraments and their type
d) gender of clergy
If you put fourteen theologians in a room, they can arrive at 14 additional issues.
Your friendly theologian,

Answer 9

Catholics believe in both scripture and tradition, as Jesus told us to.

protestants believe in scripture alone

all catholics are christian, but not all Christians are catholic

Answer 10

the Catholic Church is the REAL Christian Church, therefore, Catholics ARE Christians.

by the way, if what you mean by "christians" as Protestants, i must add that Protestants are just rebels.