Catholic Religion?

Question

1.What's the difference between catholics and christians?
2.Why do catholics burn candles and what do the different colors represent?
3.Why dont christian churches help out but the catholic churches never turn you down?
4. Do catholics live a more financially stable life than christians and other religions?

Answer 1

1. Catholic is follower of their catechism while Christians is the follower of the doctrine of Christ. Catholic believe in trinity , that the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy spirit are co-equal to each other, while Christians do not believe on this because it was written in the book of john "John 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I." Jesus is not greater than His Father (God Almighty).
Catholic believe in purgatory, limbo, and original sin that’s why they Baptist infant/baby. But this is not written in the bible that’s why Christian does not believe on this and many more to list.
2. Their burn candles for many purposes example funeral, for prayer for their love one etc. Red for prosperity, black for
Illness/sickness, white for the soul of the death people
3. Where do you get this Idea? Here in my own country many people experience their cruelty and judgmental way of thinking
4. Yes they do, but did you know that that the chosen people of God are: it
Is written in "1Co 1:26 for you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1Co 1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

See the one who chosen by God is not the Catholic Church because the catholic riches in many things and they have almost the power in the world.

Answer 2

1) Catholics are Christians. A lot of people make the mistake of an incorrect distinction, like anyone who believes in Christ is a Christian and Catholics are some type of cult sect cut off from mainstream Christianity. This is totally incorrect. Catholics are definately Chrisitans. I know because I am a Catholic.

In order to explain the differences, this is actually a historical question, which gets into the two main categories of Christianity: Catholicism and Protestantism. Basically, the Catholic Church has been around since Christ first founded it 2,000 years ago; the Protestants broke away only 500 years ago during the Reformation, and has continued to splinter into the thousands of different denominations that we have today.

2) Catholics burns candles simply for prayer. I don't know the strict definition, but its no different then if a gathering of people got together to burn candles in prayer for say, to help someone who is dying or someone with a bad addiction or other problem.

3) All I can say about this one is that the bible teaches that you will know someone by their fruits: good fruit (works, life, charity, etc.) if they're good; bad fruit if they're bad. I can't comment on the reasons by some churches will or won't give money; I can only say the Catholic Church if firm in Her belief that we are to love everyone, helping each other and being charitable so that we keep each other strong.

4) I'd say that the more someone follows Christ and the teachings preserved in His Church, the better their lives will be. It may be financially, or educationally, spiritually, or all of the above. The point is that whatever the reward a person receives, it will be greater and more abundant if they stay close to Jesus.

God bless.

Answer 3

Let us explore these one at a time.

1) Every square is a rectangle, but not every rectangle is a square. In much the same way, every Catholic is a Christian, but not everyone who calls themselves Christian is a Catholic. "Christians" believe that God created the Universe and mankind, sent His only Son to die for our Sins, and the Son...our Savior...the Christ...rose from the dead on the 3rd day. "Catholics" believe this, plus much more, to include saints, holy days, more rules, etc.

2) Catholics burn candles as a reminder, an image, of our prayers raising to God. Just as the smoke rises, so do our prayers. Of course, the candle does not help our prayers get to God...it is merely something to help us pray. Different colors are used to represent different days of the year. Days (and therefore candles) can be purple, pink, red, or white. In the end, the color is meaningless...again, a reminder to us.

3) I cannot judge whether every Christian church or every Catholic church will help or not help someone. I am sorry if, in your experience, any church has not aided someone in distress. Helping someone is something commanded by Christ, and all Chrisitans, Catholic or not, should obey it.

4) Catholics do not live more or less financially stable than anyone. Neither do Methodists, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, etc. The two (what is my religion and what is my financial state) cannot really be compared.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have more questions...online here or offline.

Answer 4

1) The Catholics are one division within the Christian church.
2) The candles are lit as a symbol of prayers being offered to God
3) I have seen as many non-Catholic churches helping people out as Catholic churches. At lot depends more on the priest/minister/pastor of that particular church and his willingness to help, then on the church group.
4) A person's financial stability usually has more to do with how they manage their money then whether they are Catholic or anything else.

Answer 5

1) Difference is accepting the authority of the Pope. Both Worship within the "Trinity" (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit). The Pope maintains Christian life amid vast changes; denying divorce, teaching steadfast about life issues (abortion, euthanasia, stem cell research), and keeping order & consistancy within the Catholic Church.

2) Dunno. Personal Adoration was huge up to the 1930's, then Mass started to become more formal. I'm a John Paul II (we love you) generation. JPII generation was taught more scripture & stuff than the elders.

3) Both Christian and Catholic Help out all over the world. CRS (Catholic Relief Services) is one of the largest charitable organizations to help the poor. Additionally, Catholics have the Jesuits (fellowship of Catholics) who are avid scientists and educators.

4) Both seek financial stability; however, our goal should be on pleasing God above all.

Answer 6

1) Catholics are Christians
2) Candles are lit to symbolize ongoing prayer. The Candles are always white. The only call for colored candles is in the Advent wreath.
3) Some Christian churches are very giving. Don't lump them together.
4) Christians and Catholics are the same. Period. Some are rich, some are poor.

Answer 7

Primoa 197 said it about right.

The Catholic church at one time was Christian. It evolved out of the early Christian church during the first 300 years under extreme persecution. Far too much time had to be spent in staying alive rather that developing sound doctrine. Unfortunately much paganism crept into the growing church. By the time the early church became the Holy Roman Catholic church is was fully apostate. Most all the Christians were killed for disagreeing with the church. Not til after the reformation did "real" begin to emerge again.
There are today few Christians in the Catholic church. There actually are some-but not many. Many conservative Bible students today call the Roman Catholic church the largest pseudo-Christian cult in the world. It appears or looks Christian, but it is not.

Answer 8

1. All Catholics are Christians but not all Christians are Catholics. Catholics have different rites and ceremonies. Other different Christians are: Episcopalians, Protestants, Mormons, and Lutherans.

2. You can burn candles for many reasons but the little votive ones are for offering up a prayer, to ask God for something, thank Him, or remember a loved one. The candle is like a representative sacrifice instead of a living animal. Also, there is nothing left once it burns, it breathes (air), gives off warmth (as we should) and gives off light (as we should enlighten others to our Faith).

3. I don't think this is very true but I don't have facts to certify my opinion.

4. I think Mormons and Jews statistically do better and the Mormons probably donate more financially than do Catholics. Again, that's my opinion.

Answer 9

1. Catholics are Christians
2.In the lighting of candles we remember and truly live the words of Our Lord: "I am the Light of the World." In the lighting of candles we not only pray, but our prayers become smaller symbols of the One Light of Christ.
3 Some of the other Christian Churches do help
4. No we don't, I for one am not rich but I do live comfortably

May God bless you

Answer 10

Pastor Billy says: As others have confirmed Catholics are Christians infact they are the first Christians. To understand why Catholics most readily answer to the title Catholic would require some study on your part and here are the words of St. Augustine who explains it very clearly

"So, then, we must repudiate all those who neither philosophize about sacred matters nor attach sacred rites to philosophy, as well as those who by their distorted ideas or by their proud and jealous rivalry have deviated from the rule and communion of the Catholic Church; that group also which has refused to accept what illuminates their scriptures and accords grace to a new people, which is called the New Testament; all of these I have summarized above as briefly as I could. Instead, we must hold on to the Chrisitian religion and to communion with that Church which is Catholic and is called Catholic not only by its members but also by all its enemies. Willy-nilly, after all, heretics themselves, and the alumni of schisms, when talking not among themselves but with outsiders, have no other name for the Catholic Church but "Catholic." I mean, they would not be understood unless they distinguished it by the name which is given it by the whole world."
De vera religione 6, 10; 7, 12
St. Augustine

Interesting isn't it how even the enemies of Christianity readily associated the authentic Christians with the Catholic Church.

2. has already been adequately answered but here is a quick run down on the symbolism of different candle usage

a) Baptism candles, with there lighting and presentation are an exhortation to keep the flame of faith burning brightly

b) Sanctuary candles signals the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, Jesus is truly present body, soul and divinity in the Church.

c) Altar candles express devotion or the degree of festivity

d) for further explaination and custom search on Candlemas Day, Paschal candle and blessed candles.

Incense
I would like to add the importance and usage of incense which is usually scoff at by non-Catholics. In Malicah 1:11 which read of the Christian Mass which uses............incense. In Revelations we see the saints in heaven offering prayer in the form of bowls of incense to the Lord.

a) its burning represents zeal and fervor
b) its fragrance represents virtue
c) Its rising smoke represents acceptable prayer, as in Psalms 141:2.

3. & 4 I think many others are not getting to the heart of your questions here. Surely Catholics do not have the corner on the market in being good financial managers (although the Church hasn't done that bad after 2000 years of practice) but I think your question really gets to the core believe in social justice that Catholicism teaches. Many non-Catholic groups traditionally have down played the importance of good works (works of love) in our Christian walk of faith with Jesus Christ starting from the time of Martin Luther with is teaching of "faith alone" heresy. Because of this they have concentrated on literature creation and tract writing. Some fundamentalist groups refer to this central purpose as the Great Commission and put all their energy in spreading their tradition of biblical interpretation to the negglect of helping people by feeding them, clothing them, educating them and healing them first. Happily in resent times this has been changing somewhat and Christian goodwill to those outside the Protestant community with outreach programs and missions which cater to the physical well-being of those they still desire to convert.

Saint Francsis a great Catholic servant once was asked how do you evangelise, he answered (I'm parapharsing) " with your actions and use words if necessary" He obviously meant live your faith and do works of love as Jesus is love.

Addition: sadly many people misrepresent Catholicism in an attempt to sway the reader or listener away the Catholic Church as first Christianity.

Drack and yana should stick to what they know and that means their own faith tradition. Quoting the bible or the Catholic Catechism without providing the context complete is not honest or truthful behaviour and hence does not indicate a sign of Christ in your actions.

Answer 11

"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.