Catholicism and Christianity: Why do people on this site keep setting them up as counterpoints?

Question

First up, let's imagine a venn diagram: Two concentric circles. All Catholics (small circle) are Christian (large circle). But not all christians are catholics. Ok.

I'm truly confused as to why people seem to keep saying this like 'Catholics pray this way, but christians pray like...'; Is this an intentional form of linguistic arrogance - othering Catholics to try and downplay their part in Christianity? Or is simply confusion?

I'm agnostic. I'm just curious.

Thank you for all the answers. I have done a fair bit of ecclesiastical history, so i'm more or less aware of the doctrinal differences between Catholicism and the major Protestant denominations.

I'm more wondering about why many (usually American) Protestants on this site seem to think that Protestantism automatically = Christianity, and that Catholicism is actually a seperate (though somewhat related) religion.

Answer 1

I am Catholic and used to be Protestant.

There is less difference than many would have you believe.

Good analogy though!

Catholics do NOT believe that we are not worthy of praying directly to God, where do you people get this stuff???

We do ask Saints to Pray for us, the same way that you ask a friend to pray for you.

Yes, we Catholics have a Pope, but we do NOT worship him!

peace!

Answer 2

It has to do with what the individual does with the errors in doctrine and what their foundation is built on. Of course, such errors or rejection of errors differ from Catholic to Catholic.

Catholics adhere to the Pope as the vicar of Christ.
Christians believe that the Bible is the final authority.
2 Timothy 3:16

Catholic tradition is of equal authority with the Bible.
Christians believe traditions of man cause error.
Matthew 15:3

Catholics adhere to Mary as a co-regent of Jesus.
Christians beleive that Mary was blessed, but only human.
Luke 11:27-28

Catholics believe that priests or Mary are mediators.
Christians believe there that only Jesus is Mediator.
1 Timothy 2:5

Transubstatiation recrucifies Christ at the communion.
Christians believe Christ died just once.
Hebrews 6:6

Catholics believe Mary was a perpetual virgin.
Christians believe the Bible that He had siblings.
Mark 6:3

Catholics call their priests "father".
Catholics call their teachers "pastor" or "minister".
Matthew 23:9

Catholics pray repetitive words with Rosary Beads.
Christians pray the same as they speak.
Matthew 6:7

Pope canonizes those to be called "saints".
Christians believe all who believe are saints.
Philippians 1:1

Pope decides who is "priest" in church leadership.
Christians believe all who believe are a priesthood.
1 Peter 2:5

Celibacy is enforced on priests and bishops.
Christians believe they should be married.
1 Timothy 3:2-5

Catholics believe Peter was the first Pope and not married.
Christians stand by the Bible that he was married.
Mark 1:30

Catholics bow down and burn candles to graven images.
Christians do not bow to images.
1 John 5:21

Catholics believe only the priests can understand the Bible.
Christians believe they can study and understand the Bible.
Ephesians 3:4

Catholics believe Mary was without sin.
Christians believe only Jesus was without sin.
Romans 5:12

Justification pronounced as anathema by Council of Trent.
Christians believe we are justified by faith.
Romans 3:28

Catholics hold to Peter as foundation "rock" of the church.
Christians hold to only Christ as foundation Rock.
1 Corinthians 3:11, 1 Corinthians 10:4

Catholics worship Mary as the Mother of God.
Christians only worship the Godhead.
Revelation 19:10

Answer 3

This is done because Catholicism is the only Christianity with a pope. No other Christian religion has a pope. Most Christian religions agree on most things but, Catholicism differs with all of them drastically. For some answers, facts, and personal or other miscellaneous reasons, the distinctions are necessary. Therefore it is NOT arrogance, it is very DELIBERATE.

Answer 4

Catholicism is a form of Christianity. It was once the completed faith, until eventually Martin Luther began the Protestant Reformation in 1517, and a gaggle of Protestant church homes sprang up. Catholicism isn't a cult, extra human beings are Catholic than the different faith. It maximum easily is Christianity, it incredibly isn't something human beings dispute.

Answer 5

I am not sure why. I know that there are saved Catholics just as there are persons who say they are Christian but are not.

Much of what is taught in the Romanism is wrong but that does

NOT

mean that not catholic is saved.

TO BELIEVE SUCH IS LUDICROUS.

I will say that if you examine many of the teachings against the Catholic Bible that the Catholics believe, it is in that Bible.

Of course, we have the KJV, and we do not agree on everything in it ourselves.

Remember deal with the particular teaching

NOT

the person's church affiliation.

Answer 6

Catholics are worried about being identified as born-again Christians. They miss the point in John 3:3 when Jesus says, "Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Christians do not pray to Mary (a dead human being) or to Joseph (a dead human being). Even John in Revelations was told not to when he bowed down to the angel who showed him part of Revelations: "Do not do this. Pray to God only."

Catholics believe we are not worthy of approaching God directly and ask Mary or Joseph (or some other saint) to intercede for them. This denies Christ's sacrifice, which makes us clean of all sin if we accept His sacrifice on our behalf for our own sins.

Answer 7

Actually, you have it backwards. A lot of Christians try to downplay the Catholics.

Answer 8

People are uneducated in religion and need to do some reading.

Answer 9

pple tend to pick on things and pple they dont understand