Whats the difference betweena catholic and a christian?

Question

I am interested in learning more about them.

Answer 1

There are many people that divide the church and say that Catholics are not Christians. However, they divide it because they do not understand or agree with the doctrine of the Catholic church. The Catholic church is different and they do things that many other churches do not follow. However, they agree on the essentials of Christianity (They believe in God, they believe in studying the word, they believe in prayer, they believe in Christ, they believe in being saved through his blood and his blood alone).

The church as a whole is divided into three divisions of Christianity. There is the Catholic church, the Orthodox Church, and the Protestant church. The Catholic Church and the Orthodox split over the argument of the pope. The Orthodox and Catholic church believe practically the same thing, except these founders didn't want to follow the pope. The Protestant Revolution split the Catholic church again and gave birth to every other denomination that is known today. All of them differ in the styles of worship and some of the doctrine is different, but they agree on the things that are essential to Christianity -- believing in the saving blood of Christ Jesus. Baptists, Pentecostals, Methodists, Catholics, Orthodox, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and so on, are all Christians.

Some Protestant churches are like the Catholic church in the sense that they are what is called liturgical. This means that they follow the full Christian calendar. This means it starts with Advent (preparation time for Christmas), Christmas, Transfiguration Sunday (found in Luke 9:28-36), Lent (the preparation time for Easter, which ends with Holy Week), Holy week (includes the last week of events of Christ's life, Palm Sunday (Luke 19:28-40), Maundy Thursday (The Last Supper--Luke 22:7-23), Good Friday (the day of Christ's death - Luke 23:26-56), Easter is that follow Sunday (Luke 24:1-35), the Ascension of Jesus (Luke 24:50-53), Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13), Trinity Sunday (The day we remember that God a God in three persons), Christ the King Sunday (last sunday of the Christian year that remembers that Jesus is the King of Kings!). The liturgical churches are Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran, United Methodist, Presbyterian USA, and United Church of Christ. My source for this is the fact that I'm United Methodist so I simply know this from experience.

The Catholic church differs on some things like the number of sacraments (holy practices) that they follow. The claim some things as one while others do not claim them. For example, they claim the act of confession as a sacrament. Other churches follow Confession in their daily prayer life, but they do not believe it as a sacrament as the Catholic church does. Some people believe that Catholic church worships Mary, but this is simply not true. I know many Catholics and this just is NOT the case. I have a great friend who works in the church, and he told me that if they worshipped anything other than God he wouldn't be there.

If you want to know more, you can email me through yahoo answers.

Answer 2

Catholics are Christians. What I think you meant was the difference between Catholics and Protestants. Since there are thousands of different Protestants since Martin Luther first began the movement when breaking away from the Catholic control, it would take many volumes to describe all of the many variations.

The same is true for Catholics, they too have several different divisions, the Roman, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox.
and others. So the simplest answer is to look at Luther's history:

Martin Luther (November 10, 1483 – February 18, 1546) was a German monk, theologian, and church reformer.

The key tenets of his theology — that the Bible is the sole source of religious authority; that grace is the only means of salvation; and that the church is a community of believers, rather than a hierarchical structure of clergy against laity — helped to inspire the Protestant Reformation and, as a result, significantly influenced the course of Western civilization.

Answer 3

The proper distinction is Catholic and Protestant.

This, I think, is more of a history question instead of doctrinal. The reason is because generally speaking there is no doctrinal unity among protestants. Protestantism is based on personal interpretation of the bible. Consequently, anyone who reads the bible can interpret in their own way and believe anything they want to. This is why there are 54,000 different protestant denominations. This is also why it is very difficult to explain protestant beliefs because there are so many.

Historically, the protestants came to be because of the Protestant Reformation that occurred around 1500. Before then, the only Christian church in existence was the Roman Catholic Church, founded by Christ.

Go here to learn more: www.catholic.com.

God bless.

Answer 4

Both are united through the Baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Both are Jesus - Centric.

The original split occurred 'cause around 1300 the Church became corrupt by governments and politics. Many screamed, "Reform". The Church was slow to move; but reform came at the same time Henry XIII decided he wanted to be Divine and authority to break a major Sacrament (Turning Marriage into Divorce without approval of the Church).

Catholics hold onto their beliefs on the Seven Sacraments. Of these Sacraments, most are shared (Baptism, marriage); however, Catholics firmly believe in Apostolic authority ... Jesus passing the keys of heaven to Peter ... who was first Pope ... and each Pope there after. This Apostolic lineage is needed specifically for "Transfiguration of the Eucharist" (turning hosts into Jesus' actual body), Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession), and Holy Orders (Apostolic lineage). The Church has reformed where needed and remained enact in Her Sacraments and Teachings (which are protected by the Holy Spirit).

However, other Christian churches got familiar with "Cafeteria" religion where they feel it's a democracy where they can accumulatively "Vote" what is or is not sinful. Some TV show I saw attributed this “Cafeteria” mentality to the reason the British Protestant Church and other Evangelical Churches divide instead of unite. I must note, this “Cafeteria” attitude is also polluting many Catholics; but the RC Church remains steadfast in Her teachings and Sacraments.

Certainly maintaining steadfast values is challenging for all Christains (and other religions) amid this sudden "Information" age of enlightenment. Catholic's have the "Cardinal of Bishops" and Pope to be scholars to guide the ship amist these mucky waters. That's why it's so important that we pray FOR the Pope, Bishops, and Priests.

Answer 5

First of all, Catholics are Christians. It is the first Christian religion that was founded in the world. Most other Christian churches are Protestant -- these churches initially broke off of Catholicism when the Catholic clergy (priests and bishops) began abusing their power and became greedy, treating themselves to the life of a wealthy prince.

Today, however, the Catholic Church, after watching these Protestant churches break away, realized how serious its problems were and began a "Counter" Reformation as it was called -- it changed many old policies and today priests and bishops are far from the greedy princes they once were.

Please email me if you'd like to know more in depth!

Answer 6

Catholicism is a Christian religion and may have many different practices from other Christian-based religions, like Protestant and Baptist.
A Christian religion is simply one that is based on the example and teachings of Jesus Christ while He was on the Earth.
Many Christian churches have different beliefs, in fact, some beliefs are so different that you have to wonder how they could come from the same passage of scriptures (in the Bible).
I am a Latter-day Saint (LDS or Mormons), which is also a Christian religion. If you would like to learn more about our beliefs and practices, please go to www.lds.org to read more, you can even request a free Book of Mormon and to speak to missionaries who can tell you more about this church.

Answer 7

depends if you mean catholic (small c) or Roman Catholic (big C).

catholic (small c) means 'universal', and is used by many Christian denominations to describe themselves, reflecting the fact that the Christians spread across the world, and not just in one place or one church.

Roman Catholic (big C) refers to Christians who take their authority from the Roman Catholic Church (based in Rome funnily enough), and under the headship of Pope Benedict.


Roman Catholics are the biggest Christian denomination, but are not always the most popular among other Christian denominations due to some of their beliefs and practices (to the point that some Christians would say Roman Catholics aren't Christian, although this is a minority view)

All Roman Catholics are Christians, but not all Christians are Roman Catholics (Think: all spaniels are dogs, but not all dogs are spaniels)

Answer 8

Christianity is divided by Catholic believers and Protestant believers. There are a couple fundamental beliefs that separate the 2, but all Christians believe in God the father, Jesus the son, and the Holy Spirit.

Protestants do not believe in purgatory. Protestants do not believe that the eucharist is actually God, they believe it "represents" God. Catholics "use" the saints and Mary more in prayer life than Protestants do. There are others too that I can't remember right this moment.

Answer 9

It's like the difference between "a daisy" and "a flower". Christianity is the religion centered on "Christ", as described in the New Testament. Catholicism is just one particular sect of Christianity.

There are hundreds of other Christian sects: Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventurists, Episcopalians, Anglicans, Mormons, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Quakers, Jesuits...the list goes on. They all ultimately adhere to the same book and have a particular emphasis on Jesus, which is what separates them from the other religions of the world. However they each different ideas about what the best way is to go about practicing what's in that book. Some place more emphasis on "faith" than "works" (practice), some vice-versa, etc.

The case of Catholicism, there is a line in Bible where Jesus instructs Peter to build a church. Their claim is that they are this church, and that the line of popes trace back to Peter, who they identify as the first pope.

Answer 10

"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.