What's the main difference between Protestants and Catholics?

Question

I've heard so many about Catholics & Protestants ... a lot of books say that Catholics draw pics of god and think that only the pope washes away the sins while the protestants say the opposite and they have everything simple at church ... but I know that others might have another thing to say? so what is the actual main difference?!!

Answer 1

first of all they are both christian but the main difference is that one follows the teachings and traditions of the pope and the other follows the teachings of the bible

Answer 2

It seems like you recognize that that is an oversimplification.

The Catholics have sacraments, which are tools Jesus set up in the Church to help people have more of God's grace. The holy Eucharist (communion), Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession), marriage, extreme unction (Last rites) etc are all sacraments.

Communion was established by Jesus when he said "Take and eat ... this is my body ..." etc. Confession was established by Jesus when he told Peter: You are Peter and upon this rock I build my church. If you hold men's sins bound on Earth, they will be bound in heaven. If you loose them on Earth, they will be loosed in heaven." The current pope is in a direct line of popes that goes back all the way to St. Peter, who was Jesus's "right hand man."

Protestants "protested" against the Catholic Church and went off and started their own churches. They ahve a variety of beliefs -- some do communion, but they don't believe that it's the actual body and blood of Jesus the way the Catholics do, for example.

Whoever told you "the Pope is the only person who can wash away sins" is wrong. That isn't what Catholics believe. Catholics go to their priests for "confession." The priest, as an ordained minister of God, is Jesus's representative and tells us that Jesus has forgiven us.

Maybe protestant churches don't seem to think this is necessary. They believe that once you call yourself "saved," that any sin you ever commit again is already forgiven.

There are other differences, too, but those are the basic ones.

Answer 3

Protestants believe that through Christ you can be saved, as well as Catholics do. However, Protestants believe that ONLY Christians can be saved. Catholics believed that Buddhists, Muslims, etc. can also be saved if they live good lives.

Catholics believe that Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist, as Protestants believe that the bread is but a symbol of Jesus Christ.

Protestant interpretations of the Bible are different from Catholics in some parts. Both denominations are Christian though.

That is the main difference, of what I comprehend as a Catholic. I am still learning though.

Answer 4

as for the "molesting little boys" the protestants have eleven% MORE instances a 12 months AND the Catholic instances are adults reporting on their adolescence while the protestants are kids reporting. do you imply simply protestants (any non-catholic demonimiation) or the Protestant denomination? on the whole talking at the such a lot normal of catholic as opposed to non one million) respecting Mary.... many will honestly forget about or degrade Her. lovely awful to do on your intended "first-rate buddy" and Saviour's possess Mother! two) Eucharist - Catholics suppose that Christ is real reward even as for the non catholics it is simply symbolic three) Catholics HAVE the 7 extra books of their bible - taken out by way of the protestants within the reformation four) catholic (& orthodox) denominations have been began by way of Christ by way of the apostle(s) and our lineage comply with the apostolic succession. protestants have been began by way of a few ONE who desired to do matters in a different way or used to be ticked off on the Catholics. they have got due to the fact that morphed into what they're now

Answer 5

First, it's tough to lump all non-Catholic Christian denominations under a blanket group called 'Protestants'. Some believe in adult baptism, others in infant baptism. Some have just a few sacraments, others have close to what the Catholics have.

Some believe - 'once saved, always saved', others denominations don't. Some believe Faith Alone, others believe Scripture alone.

ALL believe that they are reading Scripture correctly, and that the Holy Spirit is guiding them.

There are many differences within the 'Protestant umbrella'.

We Catholics have many beliefs, and you will find them to be misunderstood and mis-characterized by people. And some of these people will even be Catholics! Not everyone is equally catechized.

Everything that is in our Catechism is tied to Scripture (the references are provided in the book at each step). We also believe that understanding the Early Church Fathers is vitally important to living the life

See my sources for some good places to start:

Answer 6

Catholics: Scripture and Tradition of equal importance.

Protestants: Scripture is only and final authority (Sola Scriptura).

Secondly (but this does not go for all Protestants) - Catholics believe in the Real Presence in the Eucharist...for Protestants Holy Communion is just a "memorial meal".

Answer 7

It seems that the MAIN difference between he two is that Catholic religion believes in the use of intermediaries (the saints and priests ) to speak to God and intercede on the individual's behalf to God.

Protestants believe (in general) that an individual may speak directly to God (through prayer) and the pastors and church leadership is for the purpose of guidance and teaching.

Answer 8

Both are generally the same, but catholics focus more on the Virgin Mary than protestants do. Basically Henry VIII created the church of england so he could divorce, and that's one of the major differences that protestants allow divorce, aren't against contraception and so on.

Answer 9

All Protestants do not acknowledge the supremacy of the Pope. Beyond that, there is such a diversity of beliefs that it is hard to list any other differences.

Answer 10

Protestants believe that we can receive salvation by faith alone by God's Grace. Works have nothing to do with salvation. While Catholics believe you can't be saved without works.

"We can either accept the gift God gives through faith in Jesus Christ[48] and through baptism,[49] or refuse it. Human cooperation is needed, in line with a new capacity to adhere to the divine will that God provides.[50] The faith of a Christian is not without works, otherwise it would be dead.[51] In this sense, "by works a man is justified, and not by faith alone,"[52] and eternal life is, at one and the same time, grace and the reward given by God for good works and merits.[53] Faith, and subsequently works, are a result of God's grace - thus, it is only because of grace that the believer can be said to "merit" salvation."

Answer 11

"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.