Christians and Catholics, what is the difference?

Question

Just woundering that I noticed from Y!A they seems different.
What about Protestant as well.

Sencere answers plz

Answer 1

All Catholics are Christian, but not all Christians are Catholic. Christians, by definition, all believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and our Savior. Catholics and Protestants have this central belief in common.

The Roman Catholic Church was the first Christian Church. St. Peter was the first Bishop of Rome (hence the name *Roman* Catholic) and the first Pope. Protestantism is a much younger version of Christianity, which has its origin in the actions of a man called Martin Luther who was originally a Catholic monk. In 1517, he left the Church and posted a list of 95 protests (hence "Protestantism") against the RCC.

There are several different flavors of Protestantism - Baptist, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, and a whole host of others. The Roman Catholic Church has remained largely unified over time and accounts for 1.1 billion of the world's Christians.

There are numerous theological differences between Catholicism and modern Protestantism, but I won't go into excruciating detail. In my opinion (and I'm Catholic), one of the major differences is that most Protestant denominations believe that faith alone is sufficient to earn you a ticket to Heaven. If you really believe in God and that Jesus Christ is our Savior, then you're home free. Catholicism, on the other hand, holds that while this kind of faith is absolutely necessary, it is not sufficient. One must also do good works motivated by that faith in order to achieve salvation.

The other major difference between Catholicism and Protestantism is that most Protestant denominations believe that the Bible is the be all and end all of spiritual teaching. They believe that only the Bible is needed as a source of Christian spiritual teaching. The Catholic Church is a little different. It has the Bible, the Word of God, at the center of its theology and spiritual teaching, but also recognizes the value of spiritual and theological works as well as spiritual traditions produced by 2000 years of holy men and women in the Church. Catholic teaching draws some finer points of doctrine and philosophy from the works of St. Augustine, St. Thomas More, and many others. The Catholic Church also has what's called a Catechism, kind of an instruction manual for Catholics about how to apply religion to daily life and life's choices.

There are a lot of other theological differences, but I could talk all night and never get to the end. The two preceding points, however, are two of the major differences. I hope this helps answer your question.

Answer 2

No difference. Roman Catholicism is a denomination within Christianity. Therefore, all Catholics are Christians, but not all Christians are Catholics.

You're probably referring to the differences between Protestantism and Catholicism. Those would include the authority of the Roman Catholic Pope (Protestants don't recognize that authority), the veneration of Mary and the saints, the Catholic belief in the real presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, and so on.

Answer 3

Catholics are Christians. The two main flavors are Catholic and Protestant. The difference is the Pope. Protestants broke away from the Catholics with Martin Luther.

Answer 4

A person who professes that Jesus Christ, is the Son of God the Father/Creator and their Lord and Savior, that he died and was raised again is a Christian.
Roman Catholics are one denomination(type) of Christians. that have certain additional believes relative to the supremacy of the Pope.
Protestants is a term used to identify Christians who are not Roman Catholics, and who's denominations can often be traced back to the time of the reformation in Europe.
Some Christians who have very fundamentalist/conservative views try to make other believe that they are "the true Christians".
The similarities between the believes of all Christians is very high (in the high 90% range), but we have fought major wars over the differences.

Answer 5

"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 6

This is from the Catechism of the Catholic Church - God Bless you on your journey!

What does "catholic" mean?

830 The word "catholic" means "universal," in the sense of "according to the totality" or "in keeping with the whole." The Church is catholic in a double sense:

First, the Church is catholic because Christ is present in her. "Where there is Christ Jesus, there is the Catholic Church."307 In her subsists the fullness of Christ's body united with its head; this implies that she receives from him "the fullness of the means of salvation"308 which he has willed: correct and complete confession of faith, full sacramental life, and ordained ministry in apostolic succession. The Church was, in this fundamental sense, catholic on the day of Pentecost309 and will always be so until the day of the Parousia.

831 Secondly, the Church is catholic because she has been sent out by Christ on a mission to the whole of the human race:310

All men are called to belong to the new People of God. This People, therefore, while remaining one and only one, is to be spread throughout the whole world and to all ages in order that the design of God's will may be fulfilled: he made human nature one in the beginning and has decreed that all his children who were scattered should be finally gathered together as one. . . . The character of universality which adorns the People of God is a gift from the Lord himself whereby the Catholic Church ceaselessly and efficaciously seeks for the return of all humanity and all its goods, under Christ the Head in the unity of his Spirit.311

Answer 7

Catholicism has it's Christian roots and still attempts to keep Christ in the center. But, the mix of paganism since the days of Consantine still lurks about. This explains the praying to saints and the over exaltation of Mary.

They also have one cultish thing - all scripture is interpreted by their pope. This way, no one thinks for themselves.

Many of the old "mainline" protestant denominations have their issues, too. Overall, they are becoming more liberal and justifying it by denying or changing the idea of scripture.

Many denominations hold tradition and ritual above God and His will. If God said to do something new, likely they would refuse in order to keep their tidy traditions. This is likely why so many are breaking away to non-denominational churches and independent congregations.

Now, not all denominations or denominational churches are that bad - many love the Lord and want to do His will. And, despite a lack of the Lord's presence in so many, most have great charitable work and serve their community well.

Answer 8

christianity is a broader term. it is a branch-off of judaism.

after the fall of the roman empire, the byzantine empire developed, and the church was split. it became the roman catholic church in the west, and the eastern/russian orthodox in the east.

protestants were a breakoff from catholicism. the roman catholic church had begun to develop some tendencies, such as selling indulgences ("tickets" to heaven, time off of your stay in purgatory, etc.) this angered many, but it was not until martin luther stood up and argued it that it was acknowledged. martin luther was tried as a heretic and was excommunicated from the catholic church, but he soon started a new branch of christianity, the protestants.

Answer 9

Long answer but here is a try at a short one.

Roman Catholics beleive in 3 authorities. The bible, the pope and the church.

Protestatants, or bible alone beleive in the bible as the only authority.

There is a lot more.

Mary
Purgatory
Priests
Saints
Praying for the Dead
Baptism

Answer 10

Catholics are Christians. Catholics believe the Pope is the closest human to God and therefore has a lot of power. Christians do not believe the Pope is anything more than another person.