What makes a Roman Catholic different from other Christians?

Question

it was taught to us last year on our theology class, but during that time, i was sleeping... so i've never heard it...

so, pls help me... its been bugging me for more than a year now... on what makes a roman catholic, a roman catholic, how did it differentiate R.Catholic from protestants, born again, Jehovans, Baptists, etc....

Answer 1

The answers cannot really be simply stated here on yahoo answers because they are not simple statements but here you go:

Different anthropolgy Catholics do not believe in the protestant development of Calvinism TULIP (look it up) Catholic Anthropology is that people are good not totally depraved.

All are created in the image of God.(not just the elect)

Scripture and Tradition (dating back prescripture) All Catholic Doctrine, practices and faith are based on Scripture, early writings of Christian fathers and the Didache ( direct writings from the apostles on worshiping).

Belief in transubstantiation; celebration of the Eucharist (direct commandment from the Last Supper story in the bible)

Belief relationship with God is not just personal but communal, it is community oriented rather then personal.

The Catholic bible has more books that were cut out of the protestant versions (ask yourself why they were cut out. Simply because they support the faith practices and doctrines of the Catholic Church (hard to say we are unscriptural if they had left those in the bible)

Catholics are NOT Biblical literalist. Scripture is interpreted through historical and literary context and through what tradition has always said our held, not just what someone decides to pull out of thin air today on what it means.

The list goes on but these are a few of the major points and really they must be explained further.

PS Catholic do not worship statues, they do not believe the Pope is a prophet or sinless or Godlike, they do not worship Mary, they do not pray TO saints (they ask saints and Mary to pray for them, much as you would a friend her on earth to pray for you).

EDIT: Also following the Papal teachings is not necessarily a requirement (it is called the heirarchy of truths) only infallibly issued documents (of which there have been 2)and the core teachings (found in the Creed and on the Sacraments) are obligations of the rest as the Catechism says are things to strive for, to be discerned by our own conscience (the voice of God), and are NOT obligations. we follow what Augustine said "Unity in the essentials, diversity in the non essentials, and charity in all things."

To apple mine is not opinion statement of mine is a statement of facts a list. He has to look up the behind the scenes stuff himself.

Answer 2

Roman Catholics have to follow the edicts of the Pope and the Church (and the Pope speaks for the Church).

Protestants don't. They read the Bible and follow their hearts. THEY interpret what is or is not important or more important or less important.

Hence you have some who are totally opposed to homosexuals or women ministers and others who have absoutely no problems with them.

As a classic example, the Roman Catholic Church forbids membership in the Masons. It's heresy and you are subject to excommunication.

Some Protestants don't like the Masons either, but again, many Protestant ministers in other sects are Masons, George Bush and his Father are Masons and Methodists. My Romainian Orthodox Granfather was a 29th degree Mason.

So, that, long with various rituals, things like Saints, the Virgin Mother, making signs at the cross (another ritual) are the primary differences between Catholics and Protestants.

Once upon a time the Pope decreed that Catholics couldn't eat meat on Friday, then that got changed and now it's only on a few religious Fridays you can't eat meat, but the rest of the time you can.

Answer 3

we have 7 sacraments - Baptism, Confession, Communion, Confirmation, Holy Matrimony and Ordination

we have the direct succession of Peter and the keys of the Church are handed down throughout the centuries to the Popes and Church hierarchy

We have the fullness of faith.

we have all the books of the Bible. But not all protestants do because of the reformation. they were discarded so that a king would be able to divorce his wife and marry another.

there is a lot more. like Tradition with a capital T and the Magisterium.... google for some good reading. also try, catholic.com and scripturecatholic.com for some great reading.

Truly, Melanie

Answer 4

Pastor Billy says: very simply Roman Catholicism contains the fullness of the Christian faith, will add more later


edit#1 had to make my reappearance early as jiloth is misrepresenting Catholicism there is no works vs faith doctrine by Catholics. Protestantism is based on protesting Catholicism but many times Protestants protest a caricature of Catholicism and not the real deal and this is what jiloth has just done poor misinformed and uneducated man.

To quote archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, "there are not a 100 people who dislike the Catholic Church, but their are millions who dislike what they think it to be"


edit#2 starjumper is incorrect the "others" also had Inquisition, even the Jews conducted Inquisition please read Deuteronomy. In Tudor England and Luther Germany there was Protestant led inquisition it would benefit non-Catholics to learn their own history before attacking Catholicism for what they think it to be. Sorry asker I'm playing the role of Policeman Pastor today but it does seem replies to your question will only further confuse.

spiritroaming love you to darling, keep the faith and rock on!

edit#3 this is becoming a habit dennyenmitts is now the third person painting a caricature of Catholicism. Purgatory is not a second chance. Puragatory is a very ancient belief even the first peoples of the book (Jews) believed in. Although they didn't call it purgatory they did believe in a purging or purification before coming unto Mt. Zion and that is what Purgatory is. To be in purgatory is in fact the ultimate sign you are on route to heaven, as there is no backdoor to hell.

I truly wish non-Catholics would spend time learning Catholicism before jump off and attacking something they have little knowledge of. If I was to learn Judaism or Hebrew I would seek out a Jewish scholar yet within the non-Catholic realm some people decide to accept the bias, slander, and bigotry of their pastors as truth of Catholic. Seek truth and discover Catholicism

Answer 5

The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church is the Christian Church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, currently Pope Benedict XVI. It traces its origins to the original Christian community founded by Jesus Christ and led by the Twelve Apostles, in particular Saint Peter.

Catholics place particular importance on the Church as an institution founded by Jesus and kept from doctrinal error by the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and as the font of salvation for humanity. The seven sacraments, of which the most important is the Eucharist, are of prime importance in obtaining salvation.

Other branches of Christianity dont believe this way. Without the Catholic Church we would not have a New Testament part of the bible, we would only have the Torah. The Catholic Church compiled the bible which has 73 books and not 66 as KJV do, they were removed by Martin Luther.

Answer 6

why would you stress "Roman Catholic"...it could be "Greek Catholic"...why not just catholic in general?
The difference is that catholics believe in Mary as the Mother of God/Jesus and venerate her. Some christians believe she may be a or His mother but they don't venerate her.

There have been other things like mass vs church service, titles like priest vs minister, Catholic bible with the impramatur vs the King James version of the bible, the holy eucharist (as a sacrament) vs sharing bread and wafer among congregants, etc. etc.

svetlana, what you heard there is not true.

Answer 7

Mainly the rituals. Catholics have a wondeful drama that goes along with Mass. Its really awesome you should go and see when if you get a chance. Its very interesting. I'm not even christian anymore but a really good mass in a cathedral will still take my breath away.

Answer 8

Most Catholics teach that there is a purgatory, (place after death) where you go, and have to be prayed for to continue on to God. The Bible says, to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord. Theres no in between place,no second chances. This belief encourages many people to just take a ho-hum attitude on life, and not take Jesus seriously concerning His word. Sin on Saturday,Confess on Sunday,all is well. God is not mocked,what soever you sow,that shall you also reap. When you realize that there is no middle place of second chances,you start getting your act together,and live the way God intended. Serving Him to your best ability that He gave you.

There are many other things about this type of faith,but its not profitable for one to degrade another,but instead lift one another up in faith in Jesus Christ

Before we do anything, we need to stop, and ask ourselves,WHAT WOULD JESUS DO ?

Answer 9

We follow the words of Jesus. Protestants didn't want to have to do as much "stuff" as Catholics do, so they started their own religions.
For instance, they didn't want to have to go to confession, or go to Mass every week, or pray the rosary, so they just started a new religion that doesn't have to do all that stuff.

And even though Jesus specifically stated that His followers should receive Communion, they conveniently neglect that part.


--And by the way, Catholics do not "worship" ANYONE except God. Anyone who tells you otherwise is ignorant, or a liar. And that is wrong of them to spread such lies.

Answer 10

There are two differences: the importance placed on ritual and the importance placed on a specific version and/or section of the bible.