What is the difference between Catholics and Christians (and protestants)?

Question

Just wanna see people's opinion.

I mean Catholics and other Christians (protestants and all).
Thanks.

Answer 1

Protestants believe in the Bible. It is thier authority.
Catholics believe in the Bible, but thier authority is their traditions.
The Protestant Churches teach Scripture, with no traditions added to it.
The Bible teaches that Scripture alone is the supreme and infallible authority for the church and the individual believer. This is not to say that creeds and tradition are unimportant, but the Bible alone is our final authority. Creeds and tradition are man made.
Jesus said, "Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35). He said "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished" (Matthew 5:18). He said, "It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the law" (Luke 16:17).
Jesus used Scripture as the final court of appeal in every matter under dispute. He said to some Pharisees, "You nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down" (Mark 7:13). To the Sadducee's He said, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God". (Mat 22:29). To the devil, Jesus consistently responded, "It is written..." (Mat 4:4-10). So following Jesus' lead, the Scriptures alone are our supreme and final authority.
The Protestants broke from the Catholic church because they did not agree with the traditions that were being held as the authority, rather than God's word the Bible.

Answer 2

Catholics ARE Christians...just like Protestants

Answer 3

I think you should look up the Protestant Reformation. Basically, Protestants used to be part of the Catholic Church, but the church was getting very corrupt (selling indulgences, crazy rules, etc.), so the Protestants split off.

Nowadays there are still differences in the worship style and teachings of the 2 denominations, but they're both Christian.

The one thing I don't get is when people say that Catholics aren't Christians. I suppose maybe they define "christian" differently; I think it simply means a follower of Christ.

Edit: I just read Lady Suri's post. Since when don't Protestants believe Catholics are Christians? I've grown up Protestant and have never heard a Protestant say that. Actually, I've only heard some Catholics say they weren't Christians (which I'm assuming is because they connect Christian with Protestant).

Answer 4

Catholics are Christians, so technically speaking, there is no difference, but there are many differences between Catholicism and the many Protestant denominations.

I will just give the Catholic beliefs (the Protestant beliefs are the opposite or with exceptions): Jesus' body and blood are actually present during Communion; there are 2 sources of truth for Christ's followers - the Bible and Tradition; there are 7 Sacraments; there is a canon, or predetermined list of all the books of the Bible that are accepted as true by the Church; to live a life worthy of meriting Heaven, one must practice good deeds and have persistent faith in God.

Answer 5

It depends on how you define what a Christian is. Just going to a catholic or protestant church does not make you a Christian. Being raised in a religious home does not make you a Christian. Check out John 3, Romans 6, and Romans 10 for just a few verses out of many that describe what a Christian is. If you can define your faith and trust in Jesus as Savior according to the Scriptures then you are a Christian, no matter if you were raised catholic or protestant.

Answer 6

Catholics ARE Christians

Answer 7

All people that believe and have faith in Christ are Christians. The catholics believe that the pope is the head of their church and appointed by God and is infallible. Protestants are not under the pope. Protestants have many different churches and leaders. Some are very close to the catholic service and some are very different. All are Christians and should be respectful of all denominations..

Answer 8

Catholics and Protestants are both Xtians. (Not according to Protestants, but both Catholics and Protestants are followers of JC)

Catholics believe in works: there are certain things you have to do to get to heaven, mainly the sacraments (communion, confession, confirmation)

Protestant is an umbrella term covering all the rest of Xtianity: Baptists, Lutherans, Evangelicals, all that. They believe works aren't needed, you only need to believe in JC and you will go to heaven.

Protestants do not consider Catholics to be Xtians because of the sacraments and also because the Catholics believe in saints, which are NOT (like the Protestants believe) thousands of mini-gods. Catholics and Protestants both believe in the Trinity, it is just in the WAY to worship that things start to change, as Protestants are very "hip" and "modern" while Catholicism is more ritualistic and traditional.

Answer 9

Everyone has made valid points. I was raised Catholic and later in adulthood converted to Christian. The things that are different like what everyone else said are the saints, the rituals, the repetitiveness, and I don't really remember Catholics preaching on a relationship with Jesus Christ.

One more thing, just because I sit in the garage all day doesn't make me a car. I would like to say to you that going to church does not make you a Christian. A relationship with the Lord and living out His will for your life among other things is what makes a Christian. Christ-Like! Are we living up to the example God showed us in His only Son?

Answer 10

"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.