Is Catholicism a christian religion?

Question

I have noticed that many elements of Catholicism contradict the teachings of the Bible, for example:

the idol worship
the worship of Mary
the affluence of the Vatican
the imposed celibacy of priests
rosary beads
the sexual abuse of children

Idols - Catholics kneel before, kiss and pray before statues (idols) of Mary etc. This is IDOL worship and the Bible is very clear about it.

Where in the Bible did it say that you need Mary to interceded for you?

Where in the Bible does it tell us that Mary remained a virgin - she had other children!!!

Answer 1

Yes it is.It is in fact the largest single body in the christian religion

Answer 2

Catholicism is the ORIGINAL christian church!
And since when should there NOT be contradictions in the holy books of religions?
The worship of Mary started very early on in the christian chruchm and was maintained to the present by the catholics.
"Affluence of the Vatican" ? So the protestant bishops have no money? or the american Fundy "reverend bigmouths"?
Celibacy? go away and think
Rosary beads? is there something wrong with them?
Sexual abuse of children? Are you REALLY saying that Caholicism PROMOTES this? Get a life, sister! Rabbis, bankers, blacks whites, mullahs, pentecostalists - they all have child abusers among their ranks - it is a societal malaise, not a religious one!!!!!!
I have noticed that many elements of all religions contradict their own teachings, especially the behaviour of their priests and ministers. religion is for non-thinking people. That's why I am an atheist.

Answer 3

Please remember that all religion is man-made, the Bible is written and interpreted by men and all human actions are subject to criticism. Catholicism is certainly Christian and Christ - centred.
Many churches are wealthy (check out TV evangelism) and all of society harbours child abusers. Religious icons can be found in orthodox churches on a scale which makes the average RC Chapel look bare.
The Rosary is a form of structure prayer which developed as an alternative to mass when Catholic worship was made illegal by our understanding Christian friends.
Finally, the doctrine of the communion of saints and the intercession of the Virgin Mary are acts of humility before God as well as an acknowledgement of the example set by these holy people.
Do you really believe that the 1.2 billion people who make up the Catholic Church do not accept Christ as their God and Saviour? Get a life and stop listening to the fundamentalist bigotry which passes for religion in some quarters.
God Bless! Viva Il Papa!!!!!!

Answer 4

Of course it is. As all of the points you have raised have been suitably refuted by others I'll point something out;

There are many Christian denominations, all of which are 'Christian'. Christianity has suffered many schisms in its history, in fact there were many forms of Christian thought during the period up until the Council of Nicea (325 CE) where an attempt was made to unify the belief system. The result was a consensus on the nature of Jesus and the destruction of many gospels until we were finally left with the four that we have today.

Christianity still has many differences but it is probably universally recognised that Catholicism is an integral part of modern day Christianity and is a direct result of the Council of Nicea. I'm not sure you could argue it is the original Christianity though...

More info can be found be following this link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Council_of_Nicaea

Answer 5

Bit strong!!
I'm a Protestant from Northern Ireland and historically/stereotypically I'd be shouting about how right you are, however recently I've been lucky enough to participate in Catholic services and cannot disagree with you enough.
1/ no idol worship, the stations of the cross, the statues or virgin Mary are there to focus the people in church.
2/ Mary is seen as an important part of Christian teachings and beliefs and as such is given the respect that is due.
3/ Its the head of the Catholic Church!! Look at any religion and you'll see that the leaders are revered as having more knowledge than most about their chosen life.
4/ The imposed celibacy of Priests is something that I myself see changing in the not too distant future. All religions adapt and change as society evolves and so for this to change will not be a shock. What about women in the clergy, no matter what faith?
5/ Focus for worshippers. Fairly simple.
6/ Wise up. The sexual abuse of children is not part of the Catholic ethos, although I do feel that they should have acknowledged publically that it occurred sooner. Look at anywhere in society and you'll see unsavoury things going on. How many teachers, sports coaches, military officers, etc have been part of these evil depraved acts? These organisations are not reviled as having been part of any systematic abuse.
I hope you have posted these comments inorder to ellicit a good number of responses and that you don't actually believe them. I suggest if you have any personal respect then you'll go down to a chapel, speak to the Priest and air your views so he can give you a few answers.

Answer 6

The Bible says that a Christian is one who has placed their trust in Jesus Christ alone for their salvation. The Catholic church teaches that Jesus work on the cross was not sufficient for salvation. They trust in their baptism, their own works and for a price they also trust the priest to pray them out of purgatory and into heaven.
None of these teachings are Biblical. They are what the Catholics call "traditions."
I am sure that some of the Catholics have learned the truth and are true Christians. As for the Miss-informed ones; we can only pray for them.

Answer 7

I asked this question yesterday, except that it was a REAL question. Respectful. Tolerant. 1) Catholics do not worship idols. Ignorant people will often look at the decorations of the church as 'idolatrous' 2) Worshiping of Mary does not take place. She is an intermediary between believers and God - also the virgin mother of Christ, just in case people are forgetting. 3) The Vatican has no more wealth than television Evangelists who ask for your money so that they can pray for you. 4) Celibacy of priests is a choice, like not getting married is for a Catholic, or even a non catholic. It is a dedication to God. They feel called to do so. It is a holy thing. 5) Rosary beads - think of them as a place holder, or perhaps a book mark in a very long prayer. 6) Sexual Abuse - this is not just reserved for the Catholic church. Take a look inside all denominations and you will find killers, torturers, and molesters. Open your eyes and look around you. Maybe then you wouldn't sound so stupid to all of us who know better.

Answer 8

This isn't a question, this is a tawdry attempt to share your STATEMENT. Learn how to create a question and then ask it. That being said; I'll tread through this one for you as your ignorance is profound and ignorant people need things spelled out to them s-l-o-w-y.

There is no idol worship in the Catholic church. There are statues; yes. I suppose by your thinking if I have photograph of my great grandmother on my wall I'm "idol worshipping" her too?

Mary is the Mother of God, the Second Person of the Trinity; Jesus. I think she is owed great reverence and Catholics use her as a very powerful intermediary to have her pray WITH us; intercession. By your thinking those that you ask to pray with you; and you are joining in prayer--your worshipping that person?

The affluence of the Vatican? It's a religious institution that has been around for 2,000 years. I suppose that there will be bequeaths, endowments, and riches, so what? It is the Catholic churches biggest mission is to spread the Word of God and to help the poor, the needy, the down trodden. When was the last time your church can claim to help literally a billion people since it's inception?

The imposed celibacy of priests is an excellent way to assure that the Priests who are the "Arch Christi" to focus on their ministry; which is the sheep, us. Better to have a priest whose focus is entirely on his mission than worrying about bills, cranky wife, and missing out on his kids baseball game and not be there for Extreme Unction (Annointing of the Sick) for a little old lady.

The rosary beads? The problem you have with them? It is a string of beads that assists Catholics to pray the Rosary. Have you ever read what it is that Catholics pray while having these beads? If you have; what is the issue? If you haven't--look it up.

The sexual abuse of children is not throughout the entire Catholic church. There have been mistakes made, very grievous mistakes in allowing these homosexual men to enter into the seminaries and thus give them the opportunity to harm the most innocent of our flock. It is disgusting but it in no way reflects Catholicism as a whole.

Answer 9

There are some peripheral ideas in the Catholic church that may not line up with the Bible exactly, but at its core, Catholicism is a Christian religion. Anyone who has trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation is a Christian, and any denomination that preaches salvation by grace through faith in Jesus is Christian.

Answer 10

the idol worship/the worship of Mary = hail mary means hello, not idol worship.

the affluence of the Vatican = All religions need a leader to be unified

the imposed celibacy of priests = wtf?
rosary beads = nothing wrong with that, its a set prayer

the sexual abuse of children = this is somehting to that religion, its to certiant people (christians,jews,muslims do it do)

Catholicism is the orginal christianity. learn your history.