What is the main difference in your opinion between Catholic...?

Question

...and Protestant religion? Please, no hater answers, just your honest opinion or conclusion you have come to on your own.

OK, I see there are many various "understandings" of the differences - thus all the strife for the past 500 years or so. I ask that from henceforth you give YOUR opinion and not back it up with scripture, OK? I have a bible, actually more than one!

Answer 1

Dave, the main difference between Catholics and other Christians is that the Catholic Church is based on Apostolic succession. The teachings of the Catholic Church are both written and oral traditions. Most Protestants base their beliefs only on the Bible. While Catholics accept the Bible as the writings of men inspired by the Holy Spirit, we also follow the teachings that were not written in the Bible. The Bible, itself says that there are other teachings. See, for example, the end of John's Gospel. Also, one of Paul's letters to Timothy. I don't have my Bible with me or I would give additional citations. I also would like to point out that most non-Catholics do not have a clear understanding of the Catholic faith. Many of the objections that people raise to the Catholic faith are simply not true.

Answer 2

This is a difficult question to answer because there are many differences. One of the largest differences is the Protestants hold to "sola scriptura" or "Bible only". We Catholics feel that apostolic teaching and tradition is equal to the Bible. I am sure I will get lots of thumbs down for this, we feel that the Bible puts equal importance on tradition and scripture. In 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Paul, Silas and Timothy tell us:

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

John 21:25 also tells us:

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.

The Bible is part of Catholicism, but there is more to it which comes from apostolic teaching and tradition.

Answer 3

Catholic tends to have more traditional elements
and rituals and there seems to be less in-depth
study of the scriptures, especially personal study.
The other top difference is the focus of attention
on Mary and the Saints, especially praying to
them. Protestants usually don't believe in praying
to Mary or to the Saints. Apostle John was not
allowed to worship a messenger angel of God
in Revelation, so we should not worship or pray
to any human being. Now, I like listening to
the Catholic radio and TV station sometimes.
I do like some of the things Catholics do and teach.
They are pro-life and I like that, of course, though
I am not against oral contraceptives (just against
the "emergency" one). I also like some of the manner
of how things are presented by Catholics.
There is a certain sincerity about it that I see
lacking in Protestant presentations/services sometimes!
There is good and bad in both!

Answer 4

I know this isn't going to be a "Popular Answer, but the Catholic church is categorized by all except it's adherents as a "Cult" by the classical definition of a "Cult". The People can be & are very "Devout" and "Staunch in what they Believe and some are actually Christian as well, But, So were those who said the Earth was "Flat"!!! However the "Leadership", except for perhaps Papa Clement, is & has been as wicked & Evil as any other Persons U could name!!! They have been caught Forging Scripture & Documents, Ordering Murders of even Other Papas, Prohibiting the Reading, Publishing & Study of Scripture, Whore Mongering & many other Vile Acts. Their goal is "Total Control" of All Peoples one way or another. To that end the "Black Pope" (Jesuit General Count Hans Klovenbach) will stop at nothing!!!

The Protestant Group of "Religions" is a "Separation" to one degree or another from the Catholic church. These groups of "Believers" after having obtained enough "Original Scripture Documents" realized the "Lie" being perpetrated by the "Catholic churchs' Leadership" and Split from them. U will find that Christianity is NOT "Religion" rather a Personal Belief in Christ and the Following of Scripture V.S. Mans' /churchs' / Religions' Dogma"!!! Christ came to "Set His People Free, NOT to put them Under the Law of More Men"!!! When U Accept Christ, U are made a Member of the "Royal Family of God" and become a "Believer Priest" capable of going Straight to God Our Father at Any Time About Anything Including the Forgiveness of Our Sins!!!

This is a Huge Difference between Catholics & Protestants!!! This Effectually Eliminates the Entire Hierarchy of the Catholic church. The Catholics say that Christ created Their church through Peter in Mat.16:17-20 which says: "Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. However, the "Universally Accepted Translation" Clearly points to "Christ as "The Rock" and Nowhere in Scripture do we find that Peter was known as "The Rock" which by Contrast, Christ is given that Title Numerous times!!! Not only that, but this is THE ONLY Scripture where a "church" is even mentioned as being "Established". If this was a "High Priority" for Christ, where are the rest of the "Plans"??? Throughout Scripture, by contrast, the "church" has Always meant "The Body of Believers" (Christians), Not a "Building" or "Religious Organization".

So that is the Basic Differences between to Catholics & Protestants. Pick up a Good Bible Handbook such as Halley's to read up on "church History", it is Very Fascinating!!! John

Answer 5

The main difference is that non-Catholic Christians look to Scripture as the sole source for teaching in regards to faith and morals. Catholics look to Scripture and the Church Tradition.

Answer 6

The Catholic Church is the Mother Church, the original Christian Church from which all other christian faiths have sprung. The fullness of the Gospel, and the fullness of the initial deposit of Truth and Faith given to the world by Jesus Christ subsides in the Catholic Church.

Go now, to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Answer 7

The main difference is that Protestants do not recognize the authority of the Pope.

Much of their doctrine is the same, quite a bit is different. Protestants do not beleive in purgatory; Catholics do.

Answer 8

There are too many differences to mention. Just a few: Catholics pray through Mary or ask her to pray for them (as I understand it) Protestants pray directly to the Father. Catholic Priest act as a mediator to obtain forgiveness for members (as i understand it) Protestants receive forgiveness directly from God. Catholics believe the Pope has direct communication with God to change church policy and practices as the 'leader' of the church (as I understand it) Protestants believe no one has this direct line to God and Jesus is the 'head' and maker of of policy and practices, all of which are already stated in the Bible.

I think we just need to be Christians.

Answer 9

the biggest difference would be that the catholics "claim" to be the church Christ founded on peter. protestants saw many things wrong with the way the catholic church was running or they interpreted the bible differently, therefore they decided to worship in the way they believed for themselves. of course leaving interpretation up to man has always been the problem. that's why God always used prophets before. so if he still loves us and wants the best for us why wouldn't he use a prophet today? maybe he does.

Answer 10

The main difference between Catholic and Protestants is the way they glorify God, Catholics glorify God Thur WORKS and
TRADITIONS, on the other hand protestants glorify God
Thur FAITH and SCRIPTURE. Now you may ask which is
the correct way to glorify GOD, I believe thru FAITH and SCRIPTUE is the only way and no other way.

God loves you......God bless