what is the REAL difference between Catholic church and Christian?

Question

I study european history which dates back from the Greek until now and i bump into a lot of religion confusion. a lot of times the books and many sources prefer to Catholic as Christian. While the Catholic believe in Virgin Mary and the Christians don't. Don't people always use the term Christians in general? i mean they would be talking about Catholic people but they use the word Christians instead. whats up wit that?

Answer 1

Christianity is the name of the whole religion.

Catholic is just a denomination of Christianity.
Baptist, Protestant, Lutheran, etc are all denominations of Christianity. They all believe in Jesus Christ as Savior which means that they are all Christian but they have different values, hence the different denominations with the different names.

An example would be:

I am a Catholic Christian

I am a Baptist Christian

I am a non denominational Christian

I am a Lutheran Christian.

Hope that this helps. :)

Answer 2

Catholics are Christians. Christianity is the religion, however there are many different churches with different practices. Catholicism is the largest Christian denomination with over a billion followers. All Christians recognize that Mary was Jesus' mother etc. but only the Catholic church pay her more reverence. The real division is between Catholics and the Protestants. Before the split with the Catholic church in the middle ages, the word "Catholic" was not in use, as there was only one Church the Christian one. However when the split occurred the remaining Church called themselves Catholic and the rest Protestant, but they are ALL Christian. Each church has a slightly different take on things.

Answer 3

Catholics put alot of emphasis on the virgin Mary, other denominations believe in the virgin Mary, but are more focused on Christ, Christians believe in full submersion baptism Catholics sprinkle, Christians don't believe in purgatory or limbo. Christians don't have statues in their churches and most don't believe in drinking alcohol and Catholics have the KofC where they go to drink. These are the basics and I'm sure there are other doctrine differences as well. I'm also not sure where the Catholics stand on salvation, I have met many Catholics that have never heard the plan of salvation or the verses on baptisim, it makes for a good study.

Answer 4

"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.

Answer 5

When we say christians it means followers of christ. He who belived in Jesus Christ as a Son of God is a Christian. As per History Catholic is the first christian church which started after the death of St. Peter. Other Christian Sect just started during Renaissance Period by Martin Luther and continue to broken down to thousands (Mormons, Baptist, Petecost, Born Again, etc.)

May God Bless You

Answer 6

Christians believe in and worship Jesus. They believe he was born to a virgin, lived life as a man, was tortured and crucified for our sins, died and rose 3 days later and is Heaven with God the father and is returning to claim "his own" when the rapture takes place.

Christians usually are New Testament in origin but read the old too.

If the catholics pray to Jesus and not Mary, they are Christians

Some Christians were in a religion before converting and keep the rituals of their previous reigion but focus on Jesus

Answer 7

I am a Catholic/ Christian

Answer 8

Catholic is a religion. Christian refers to all religions that believe in Jesus Christ and that he is the Son of God. So, Catholics (for example Roman Catholics), Protestants, Born-Again, etc. are all Christians.

Answer 9

At first, it was Christian - Those who follow Jesus.
Christianity is part of Catholicism. And Catholic also means "universal". Universal means it is willing to accept everyone to join their religion.
That's what I know.

Answer 10

>>i mean they would be talking about Catholic people but they use the word Christians instead. whats up wit that?<<

Duh, Catholics ARE Christians!