2007-04-25 06:49:17 · 18 answers · asked by merck 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
Catholicism is a branch of Christianity, so all Roman Catholics are Christian, but not all Christians are Roman Catholic.
2007-04-25 06:56:23 · answer #1 · answered by Funky Little Spacegirl 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As others have said, Roman Catholicism is a branch of Christianity. To help explain why there are "branches" or "denominations": Christianity, of course, began about 33 AD/CE (mean the same thing). The early Christians were widely scattered across the Middle East and Europe. Persecution made it difficult for Christians from one area to communicate with others. When the Roman Empire accepted Christianity in the 300s, there were many councils and meetings to iron out the different ways of doing things and slight differences in belief among the churches. This resulted in the Roman Catholic church (Roman because it was based there, Catholic means "universal"). It was the one church until the 1500s, when many, including a monk named Martin Luther (not to be confused with Martin Luther King, Jr) became dissatisfied with what they saw as corruption within the church and started their own churches in protest (thus becoming "Protestants"). Because the Protestants saw the abuse of power as the problem with the Catholic Church, they never centralized power like the Catholics, and so broke off into many denominations that generally believe more or less the same thing, such as Baptists, Methodist, Church of God, ect. Although the split took place several centuries ago, you can tell by the answers accusing "Catholics" as not being "Christian" that to some there is still bitterness, on both sides.
2007-04-25 14:26:23 · answer #2 · answered by claymc1981 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Catholics and Christians are both Protestants (1). But Christians aren't Catholics & Catholics aren't Christians (2) The Christian & Catholic beliefs are a lot different. They have SOME similar beliefs, but the core theology is different.
Catholics pray to Mary, The Saints, and God; because they believe they can make her change Jesus’ heart (3). Christians Pray to God the Father, God the Son, and Holy Ghost, usually at the same time (the trinity) (4).
Catholics believe that you can pray someone into heaven (5).
Christians believe that it is that person’s choice (6).
As I said earlier that Catholics believe that they can pray to Mary, they also put Mary over Jesus in one sense (7). Christians, again believe Jesus, God, and the Holy Ghost are all the same (trinity) (8)
Also, most Christians believe in repentance and faith as a means for salvation (9). Most Catholics on the other hand believe in works salvation (and [as I mentioned earlier] prayers into heaven) (10)
I hope this will answer your question. Thanks!
Caleb
2007-04-28 20:10:47 · answer #3 · answered by Caleb A 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basically all Roman catholics are christians but not all christians are catholic!
Roman Catholics are a very traditional and decorative denomination compared to various others(apart from the orthodox church which is totally different again but in a different way) Hope this helps and isnt too confusing! x
2007-04-25 14:44:48 · answer #4 · answered by melt_the_fudge 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate this question. Christian means you believe in God. A Catholic is a Christian.
So you can understand it better, lets put it into the animal kingdom. The Christian is an insect, the Catholic is a specie of insect for example an ant. Christians, like insects, are split into different religions (or in the case of insects, species).
2007-04-25 15:44:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Roman Catholics are Christians, as are the Protestants, Anglicans, Orthodox, Baptists, etc.,etc., I am sure you must have had religious studies at school and would have been taught about these branches of the Christian faith as well as other planetary religions and beliefs
2007-04-25 15:09:24 · answer #6 · answered by I Tisi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christian is the overall religion Catholic is a type of Christian (the different groups within a religion are called denominations, thats what Catholic is). There are other denominations as well, e.g. Methodist, Pentecostal etc.
2007-04-25 13:57:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Christianity is a big religion with many different parts one of these is catholicism (roman catholics). Think of it like England and your town, England is the country and your town/city is part of england just like RC is part of christianity.
Hope this helps
San
2007-04-25 15:04:14 · answer #8 · answered by sandradapanda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Roman Catholic Church is a specific Christian church (there are others).
2007-04-25 13:54:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Roman Catholics are much more strict about how they do things. Thats the only big difference i know of.
2007-04-25 14:00:16 · answer #10 · answered by Kelley 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋