What is the difference between Catholics and Protestants ?

Question

Please try to answer in as simple way as possible. The main differences only. Also plz try to use simple english words as i myself tried to find it on internet but couldn't understand any thing because of very complex language ( as english is not my first language) Thanx

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

A Catholic obeys the Pope in Rome, or at least they are supposed to, unless they belong to an Eastern Catholic rite, such as the Greek Orthodox. Protestants do not have any devotion to the Pope. Beyond this, there are many differences in beliefs, however, there are so many different sects of Protestantism that the beliefs of some Protestant churches are closer to Catholic beliefs than they are to other Protestant churches.

Answer 3

Catholics believe:
The bread and wine of the ritual is really Jesus.
That we can pray for the dead.
That some of the dead can pray for us.
That God will forgive the sins we tell to a priest.
That the Pope is the leader of all Christians.
That good works help Christ save the world.
That the church can teach things the Bible doesn't explain.

Protestants believe:
The bread and wine are only a reminder of Jesus.
That dead people go only to heaven or hell.
That only God can hear prayers.
That only God forgives sins, directly.
That the pope is one bishop among many.
That only faith can save you, not works.
That only the Bible can be used to teach.

Answer 4

>>What is the difference between Catholics and Protestants ? Please try to answer in as simple way as possible.<<

The number one difference is the Pope. Jesus left Peter in charge of His flock (John 21:15-17), and the Pope is Peter's successor. Catholics are the sheep who stayed, Protestants are the sheep who strayed.

Answer 5

There are a lot of little differences, but the main difference is their teaching on how to be saved and given eternal life. Catholics believe that a person get to go to heaven by turning to the Catholic church and following the traditions and sacrements of the church. They must be Baptized, attend mass, confess their sins to a Priest, and a number of other Catholic traditions. Protestants believe that to be saved one is to believe in Jesus Christ and turn to Him, confess Him as their Lord, and believe that God raised Him from the dead. Salvation to protestants is not by works or keeping rules or traditions but by the grace of God through faith.

Answer 6

Ash Wednesday is one practice that I am most certain protestants do not do. Also, Protestants do not honor Mary the way some to most catholics do. Now in the modern times there isn't much difference. In medievil times there was a very, very big difference.

Answer 7

Catholics Believe


There can be but one Divinely instituted Church in the world.


Catholics Believe


That Christ established a Church to teach, govern spiritually, sanctify and lead men to salvation.

That the Church of Christ is a spiritual organism rather than a mere organization.

That its organic character is derived from the life principle of its Founder, Jesus Christ, who gave it life and is its life. In this sense, the Church is Christ and Christ is the Church.


Catholics Believe


That the Church is a living body, instituted by Christ, the Holy Spirit indwelling; a visible society of believers, partaking of the same sacraments, governed by lawful pastors under one visible head, Peter and his successors.


Catholics Believe


That four marks distinguish Christ's kingdom of heaven on earth. They are made known in the Creed—"I believe in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church."



One in:

Faith
Belief
Worship
Government


Holy In:

Origin, Christ.
Objective, redemption.
Means, sacraments.
Sanctity of faithful.


Catholic :

Teaches all nations.
During all time.
All Christ taught.
Peoples of all nationalities obedient to one universal authority in faith and morals.


Apostolic :

Founded upon apostles.
Teaches what apostles Apostolic taught.
Continuous existence from time of the apostles.
"The enemies of the Church themselves die and disappear, but the Church itself lives on, and preaches the power of God to ever succeeding generations" (St. Augustine).

Answer 8

Protestants believe that we can pray directly to God. We don't need Mary, any of the (man--made) saints or a priest to do it for us. I'm not trying to be offensive about it, just honest & to the point

Answer 9

Protestants believe that only the Bible holds truth and that no man can claim anything about God but what is in the Bible.

Catholics believe that God tells the pope to change rules sometimes.

Answer 10

Catholics follow the bible more strictly than Protestants.