What is the difference between protestantism and catholicism.?

Question

I come from Northern Ireland were people here fight over these differences but no one can seem to tell me what the differences are?

Answer 1

Catholics follow the authority of the Bishop of Rome, whom they believe to be the successor to St. Peter the Apostle. Protestants are not in communion with Bishop of Rome.

Catholics believe that Scripture and the Sacred Traditions of the Church provide the rule of Faith, Morals, and Dogma. Protestants believe that Christian Truth can only be found in Scripture, hence the "Sola Scriptura."

Catholics look to the Teaching Magisterium of the Church for interpteting the Scripture, while Protestants subscribe to private interpretation of Scripture.

Catholics believe that not on Faith alone can one be saved, but rather one must have faith and put that faith into action in order to be saved. Protestants believe that faith in Jesus Christ is sufficient to be saved.

These are the basic differences. I will not get into discussing the merits of each, as theologians have spent lifetimes writing treatises on the merits, and none have been able to convince the other. Also, I will not get into private devotions and disciplines of Catholics since these are not required for one's salvation nor are they official Dogmas of the Catholic Faith.

Answer 2

As some of the answerers have said the Catholic Church has been around for more than 2000 years. It is based on tradition and on the sacraments that have been passed since the time of the Apostles. Catholics have an organized structure and a defined set of believes whereas Protestants are divided into many denominations claiming their own truth. The Protestant reformation rises in the Middle ages in response to many undeniably wrong practices and actions that the Church did. As a result many practices such as the veneration of the saints and of the Virgin Mary and not to mention the Holy Eucharist were discarded after years of tradition and practice. As the years passed these differences became more defined.

Answer 3

The Troubles in Northern Ireland have much less to do with doctrine and more to do with allegiance. Protestantism began in the 16th Century as a protest against abuses that had crept into the Roman Church, abuses such as selling divine favors for money (as a fundraising effort for religious art projects). Before then, dissidents were simply branded heretics and excommunicated (or worse).

Martin Luther was able to make Protestantism viable be carefully formulating a theology to back up his contentions. To discredit the selling of indulgences, he pointed to scriptures that emphasized the superiority of faith over effort. To undermine the teaching authority of the Church and its claim to "apostolic succession" to the time of Christ, he pointed to verses that contrasted the authority of scripture to the "traditions of men". As a consequence, to be consistent, all human intervention, prayer by or for the dead, sacraments, the "real presence" of Christ in the Eucharist, etc. had to be jettisoned from Protestant practice, leaving a stark worship and a severe theology. There were some books in the Old Testament that were problematic, such as a prayer for the dead in the Second book of Maccabees, but Luther used their questionable status in the Jewish canon as an excuse to reject them outright. The Catholic Church, stung by his criticism, actually instituted some modest reforms, although they would never admit the reason.

But Luther is not the issue in Ireland. It's King Henry VIII. He actually fought Protestantism and was called a "Defender of the Faith", at least until he started having heir problems. But with his split from Rome over his divorce from Catherine of Aragonne, England had two churches: the Church of England (virtually identical to Rome's except for its head), and the underground, loyal Catholic church, which alternately hid or asserted itself depending on the ruler.

Ireland has long had its disputes with its British neighbor, which seemed to think it owned it. Irish people tend to be very religious, and one of the differences it has with England is the Church of England. Erie is Catholic, loyal to the pope. England is not, and loyal to the crown. In Ulster, the Catholic rage has been against the perception of occupation by a foreign power. Among Protestant Loyalists, Catholics are perceived as revolutionaries bent on overthrowing a legitimate government. Reality is somewhere in between, but mistrust amplifies the issues between sides who have no interest in getting to know each other.

Religion is the excuse, as usual, for a cultural conflict. A Catholic wears green because he resents British red. A Protestant wears orange because William of Orange was supposed to have settled the issue long ago. Hopefully, both "republicans" and "loyalists" can find peace by effective power-sharing in a distinct, third country. But old hatreds die slowly.

Answer 4

Tradition, and lack of tradition. One was around before the bible and therefore had traditions in it that weren't included in the bible. The other came after the bible, and says the other guys are wrong for doing things that aren't in the bible.

Protestants protest Catholicism. Catholics practice Catholicism.

See, I didn't even get technical or rude...

Answer 5

The only difference is in the name. The "protestants" THINK they are different from the catholics, but one look at what they do reveals the truth.

Catholicism is the GREAT WHORE of the book of the Revelation. The protestant churches are her "harlot daughters". Neither of them follow the words of Yeshua (jesus) so they are equally, and inseparably, anti-christ. Yeshua said to follow the Torah (Matthew 5:17-19)...what christians call the "Old Testament". Do they do it? OF COURSE NOT!!!! They misinterpret the words of the apostle Sha'ul (Paul) and try to worm their way out of obedience to God. May God have mercy on their souls...but I don't think He will.

SO....in answer to your question, there is ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFERENCE in the two because they both bow to the pope.

We must be absolutely honest when seeking our Father. He has NEVER changed, regardless of what the "protestant" churches may say.

Answer 6

Protestant is post reformation, Catholicism is pre reformation. The reformation brought about the belief core belief that the Bible is the only source of revealed truth and that justification (salvation) can come through faith alone . . which follows the teachings of Luther/Calvin/Zwingli, etc. Catholicism still hold dear to the beliefs of papal authority, fundamental Roman Catholic traditions and salvation by works. Hope this helps.

KAIT's RESPONSE IS VERY WELL EXPLAINED!!!

Answer 7

it variety of feels which you have gotten diverse very subjective solutions. i'm going to attempt to supply a quick precis of most of the version i comprehend. Eucharist: Catholics (and Orthodox) have faith the Jesus is definitely present in the bread and wine. maximum, if not all, Protestant sects have faith this could be a symbolic act. Sacraments: Catholics have 7 sacraments. they think that they communicate God's grace to the believer. they are actual symptoms that impart something actual to those that participate. maximum Protestants have in hassle-free terms Baptism and Lord's Supper (Eucharist). they many times view them as symbolic acts. Church: Catholics have faith that Jesus based a church to instruction manual his human beings till his return. they think that the Pope is the top of that physique and that the Holy Spirit will instruction manual him in educating the human beings in concerns of religion and morals. maximum Protestants have faith in an "invisible" church. community church homes are in hassle-free terms in charge to their own club. those community congregations are united to different Christians with the aid of the worldwide with the aid of faith in Jesus yet have many differences in interpretation and doctrine. (ok so when I reassess this i think i'm being subjective as properly. it is not not hassle-free to tell the place my ideals fall in this answer. properly...i attempted!)

Answer 8

The Dividing Line is "Justification".

Reformed view : We are justified by GRACE through FAITH. This has been taught from Paul to the present day.

Catholic view: We are justified by grace and WORKS (the sacraments) This view has been around since the Roman Catholic church started 500 years AFTER Paul.

Answer 9

Catholics have a governing body (pope, bishops, etc.) to govern, make laws, and interpret the bible for them. Protestants just have the bible and God. Catholics also pray to saints, get confirmed and participate in lent. Protestant pastors can get married, too.

Answer 10

i know that protestants don't pray to the saints nor do they answer to the pope. other than that, i've seen no difference.