significant differences between Catholicism & Protestantism?

Question

hi, I'm reading a Donne biography which obviously covers the reformation. I'm not a Christian. and especially don't understand minor differences in branches of the same faith, both believing in the holy trinity & the resurrection and metaphysical concepts like heaven & the immortal soul.

Could anyone summarise the main differences between Roman Catholicism, and Protestantism? I'd really appreciate some guidance. Many thanks. x Sue

Answer 1

there are alot of branches of protestantism. So your question isn't easy to answer. the amount of diferences depends highly on the degree of separation from the Catholic Church. For example The Church of England, The Lutheran Church Presbyterian are closer than say Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostols

Most differences center around:

Apostolic authority
Bible as everything there is
Organized priesthoods (depending on which church)
Marriage for ministers
transubstatiation
number of sacraments
purpose of sacraments
method for preforming sacraments
visible church

Some liberal sects even question the divinity and literal resurrection of Christ.

Is it really any wonder why people have a hard time believing when Christianity is so divided? And we havent even addressed the non-catholic and non-protestant sects yet.

Answer 2

It seems that you have gotten a lot of very subjective answers. I'll try to give a brief summary of some of the difference I know.

Eucharist: Catholics (and Orthodox) believe the Jesus is really present in the bread and wine. Most, if not all, Protestant sects believe this is a symbolic act.

Sacraments: Catholics have 7 sacraments. They believe that they impart God's grace to the believer. They are physical signs that impart something real to those who participate. Most Protestants have only Baptism and Lord's Supper (Eucharist). They usually view them as symbolic acts.

Church: Catholics believe that Jesus founded a church to lead his people until his return. They believe that the Pope is the head of that body and that the Holy Spirit will guide him in instructing the people in matters of faith and morals. Most Protestants believe in an "invisible" church. Local churches are only accountable to their own membership. These local congregations are united to other Christians throughout the world through faith in Jesus but have many differences in interpretation and doctrine.

(Ok so once I re-read this I suppose I am being subjective as well. It's not hard to tell where my beliefs fall in this answer. Well...I tried!)

Answer 3

"Protestantism" is not a single religion; usually churches that are not RC are considered protestant, but their difference are many. A few are very similar to Catholic, but others have significant differences. The main thing is that they do not recognize a Pope or pray to dead saints. Also we do not have statues in our churches or bow down in front of statues; that is a violation of one of the ten commandments. Some Protestants substitute sprinkling for baptism; others still observe the original meaning of "baptize" (immerse or plunge).
What I consider two major differences in the group I am a part of and most other "Protestants" is that we baptize in the name of Jesus, as in Acts 2, 8, 10, and 19 (I don't consider that a minor difference), and we believe the Spirit baptism is essential and it is very real. Many others apparently believe it is only symbolic.
To understand why there are so many differences, you would have to study the history of Christianity.

Answer 4

Hello, Susie:

There are many good answers above, so won't go into doctrines; however, Protestant means to protest, but today they have forgotten, and apologetically call themselves "Evangelical", meaning Gospel.

One writer of the 1800's says: "The best way to know what Rome is, is to know what they were."

Rome persecuted Christians under Caesars, then made a transition to papal persecution. They have killed an estimated 50,000,000 people in the name of God in Europe/Asia Minor. And in the Americas they permitted the slavery of Indians and another 50,000,000 died.

The Bible predicted this change and two things happened. 1) The Eastern Church, who initially sanctioned military assaults against non-Catholics, went into "Muslim captivity." That is why the Christian nations around the Mediterranean Sea changed to Islam. see: www.revelado.org/islam.htm, "The Rise, Decline, and Death of Islam in Bible Prophecy."

2) The Western Church, Rome, will be destroyed under the fifth plague (Revelation 16:10, and is called the Abomination of Desolation by Jesus. See: http://abiblecode.tripod.com

Rome apologizes for its detestable past, but Protestants have yet to legislate religion and persecute non-believers. They will unite with Catholics and enforce doctrines which they hold in common. Namely: Jesus is LORD (true), Sunday is the Sabbath (false), and the immortality of the soul (spiritualism).

The Bible code, the only part of the Bible that is "sealed until the end of the days" will tell you who the major problem is (link above).

Blessings and AGAPE, Balaam

Answer 5

The most important things to note: Both are Christian. Both are based off the Bible. With Protestantism, it's difficult to generalize since there are so many differing denominations within Protestantism (around 37,000+). With Protestants who are fundamentalist and so-called 'Biblical literalist', however, they claim to base themselves entirely on the Bible. There are problems with this, though. First and foremost, the Bible is a Catholic book: it was created and compiled by the Catholic Church in the 4th century. The Catholic Church has been interpreting the scriptures in the Bible for 2,000 years. As such, it knows and acknowledges that the Bible is not meant to be taken 100% literally; there are guidelines presented in the Bible that establish the core foundations of Christian belief and practices, but much of what's in the Bible is meant as figurative allusion, not literal history. In essence, the Bible is meant as an important foundational guide, not as a self-sustaining, self-interpreting constitution. The first people to even consider taking the Bible out of context and away from its intended use were Protestants. Without a central authority to determine the meaning of scripture, Protestantism splintered from itself at the very beginning, and continues to do so to this day. The Catholic Church teaches that full understanding and appreciation of Christian belief comes from a balance between scripture, tradition, and church teaching. Another important thing to remember, though, is that the majority of Catholics and Protestants (and Orthodox, who make up the third primary branch of Christianity) are at peace with each other, and openly consider each other to be brethren within the Christian faith. The few who don't are fundamentalist bigots who think that hijacking the term "True Christian" for themselves, and themselves only, is their primary claim to 'legitimacy'. Also, your friends who claimed that you have to 're-baptise' yourself are incorrect. The Catholic Church--and most Protestant churches--believe that one baptism is enough, regardless of which denomination it came from. A Protestant who becomes a Catholic does not need to be re-baptised, and vice versa.

Answer 6

"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.

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_31101999_cath-luth-joint-declaration_en.html

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.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm

With love in Christ.

Answer 7

Essentially Protestantism, as you may have noticed in the name, is in "protest" to Catholic rule.

It shys away from the great excesses of Catholic Churches and the numerace ceremonies, generally staying close to the true meaning of religion

Answer 8

The Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ, given power and authority, Jesus Christ's eternal, personal guarantee, his real presence, and the constant guidance of the Holy Spirit, from age to age.

By themselves, the protestant denominations enjoy little of this, and what they do have is only a result of their continuing, but imperfect union with the authentic Catholic Church, which remains, one, holy, universal, and apostolic, simply because it belongs to God, and he wills it.

Answer 9

Catholics confess their sins to a priest. Protestants confess their sins to God.
Catholics believe the Mary is the mother of God. Protestants believe that Mary was the mother of the man, Jesus.
Catholics pray to saints. Protestants pray to God only.
Catholics have many, many rituals and ceremonies. Protestants have fewer.
Catholics believe that the communion wafer is the literal body of Jesus Christ. Protestants believe the communion wafer is symbolic of Jesus Christ.
Catholics believe that Protestants are not really Christians. Protestants believe that anyone who follows Jesus Christ is a Christian, regardless of doctrinal differences.

That's just a drop in the bucket.

Peace.

Answer 10

catholics pray to mary and the saints other christians don't. catholics look to the pope to guide them others look to Jesus and mainly the catholic priests can not marry other pastors can. other than that the catholics teach the bread and wine become Jesus' body and blood when you take comunion I do not believe ant protistant faith teaches that.