why do some people think catholicism is a different religion?

Question

i heard catholicism is a form of christianity. it's just the biggest subgroup of christianity, like protestant, baptist, luthorern, etc.

Answer 1

Catholics believe in the inflalibility of the Pope. That you can not speak to god directly (priests etc are gods mouthpieces) because your not trained to intecede with God yourself and that the wafer and wine (the Holy Eucharist) is the actual body and blood of Christ. For the longest time the bible was only in Latin because they didn't want laypeople to read the bible.

Non Catholic Christians for the most part don't believe this.
The Bible is the only source of faith; it contains the plenary inspiration of God; its reading is invested with a quasi-sacramental character. Human nature has been totally corrupted by original sin, and man, accordingly, is deprived of free will. Whatever he does, be it good or bad, is not his own work, but God's. Faith alone can work justification, and man is saved by confidently believing that God will pardon him. This faith not only includes a full pardon of sin, but also an unconditional release from its penalties. The hierarchy and priesthood are not Divinely instituted or necessary, and ceremonial or exterior worship is not essential or useful. Ecclesiastical vestments, pilgrimages, mortifications, monastic vows, prayers for the dead, intercession of saints, avail the soul nothing. All sacraments, with the exception of baptism, Holy Eucharist, and penance, are rejected, but their absence may be supplied by faith. The priesthood is universal; every Christian may assume it. A body of specially trained and ordained men to dispense the mysteries of God is needless and a usurpation. There is no visible Church or one specially established by God whereby men may work out their salvation.

Answer 2

Umm... let's see...

Historically, many of these christian groups have seperated because of political, social or ethical issues (rarely or never really religious issues).

So to find the answer to that questin, you'll have to figure out where they split up... and on what issues they did so. Next, you have to find out how both denominations have evolved in the issues that took them apart.

For example: the lutheran church, you should read what Martin Luther (not King!) wrote at Witgenburg.
Have a look at the wiki on lutheranism for this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutheranism

You'll see how Luther actually addressed some practices in the catholic church, which - if we look back at it now - were indeed wrong.

I concider myself catholic, but prefer to be called a "christian" because I prefer us to be united in the core of our faith (contrary to the word catholic, from the Greek kat-holos, meaning all-whole).

Catholics are a form of christians... it's not a different religion, but defenitely a different denomination. What this means? Well... let's see...
All gyneacologists are doctors, but the other way around isn't true by definition. Does this mean that only a gyneacologist can say reasonable stuff about the reproductive system? Nope, I guess any doctor could tell you a lot... and even a carpenter could know things about pregnancy that most gyneacologists don't know... Also, there are some gyneacologists out there who don't deserve putting that tag in front of their door...

The analogy? Well, many christians possibly live as good and faithfull a life as some catholics would want to... and there sure are crummy catholics too. And if the core of christianity would be to live a life "in connection with God and our fellow-people", I could easily assume there are quite a few people who wouldn't even want to be called christian (let alone catholic) ... but live a life much more worthy for christians.

Answer 3

Catholics have the advantage of a historical linkage to the Apostolic Age, however uneven it may be. When Protestantism began, there was a strong interest in demonstrating exactly HOW Roman Christianity had gone off the rails. Most main-line Protestant churches have become more tolerant since then, but there are some, especially among the evangelical and non-denominational branches, who are very invested in denouncing the "errors" of Catholicism in order to better legitimize themselves.

Answer 4

Jenny, Catholics are the unique Christians. The Christian church lines its roots back to the disciples of Christ. by the years, the concept of papal infallibility on concerns of religion AND MORALS developed. Many catholics did not trust this guiding theory of the religion. also, by utilising the 1500's, there become various corruption contained in the church, quite appropriate to indulgences. (to understand an indulgence, you have to be familiar with the Catholic idea of purgatory.) besides, imagine of an indulgence as getting time without work from a detention center sentence. nicely, in the course of the 1500's, some bishops -- quite contained in the northern international places like Germany and France -- were promoting indulgences. This become between the documents that Martin Luther, a Catholic priest and a professor of theology on the college of Wittenberg, Germany, argued become incorrect with the church. As people began to split from from Catholicism, they considered themselves to be pioneers in a circulate to reform Christianity. element of that reformation become the rejection of the authority of the Pope. because present day Catholics nevertheless believe contained in the pope and settle for the guiding theory that once he speaks on concerns of religion and morals, he's infallible, different Christians question even if Catholics stick with the Bible or the Pope. To a lot of people, it would not look conceivable that you possibly can be counted on both. . .

Answer 5

You heard correctly. Roman Catholicism is the largest single denomination within Christianity. As the saying goes, all Catholics are Christians, but not all Christians are Catholic.

Answer 6

Catholics are Christians. Some younger Dispensationalist Christians here in America have convinced themselves that the Catholic church is practicing idolatry, so they claim they are not Christian. I know because I used to be one of these misguided folks.
The real truth is, all you really need to do is about a week of study into the Catholic history, interpretation of scripture and use of tradition and you will come to understand that Catholics are indeed Christians. Blessings to you.

Answer 7

On a fair scale we all have made mistakes and in the book of revelation Jesus warns the Church to repent. Judgment shall begin first in the house of God which shall itself be scarcely saved. Jesus did not come to establish a religion with religious leaders. He came to establish the faith and save the world from their sins. I agree with no religion, I only agree in Jesus Christ alone. The crown will be given to he/she that Overcomes.

Answer 8

Because they are worried that they will discover the truth in the Catholic Church and therefore they keep telling themself and others that the Catholic Church is not the true church as well as that the Catholic Church is a different religion. They are psycho-ing themselves.

Answer 9

I don't... If a person really lives for Jesus and loves Him with all that they are, then they are a Christian. Whether they are Catholic or whatever. Hey, I'm a Messianic Christian and I've got a crucifix on my wall that was given to me in a Mexican church on one of the missions I went on.... thank you, to all my Catholic friends!

Answer 10

Catholics are Christains, but I have even heard Catholics single themselves out as being different than Christians. strange!!