Why do some Protestants believe that Catholics are not Christian?

Question

What is with the ignorance?

Pastorart, sorry to disillusion you, but a majority of them don't. I can't speak for those who do not understand and do not embrace their Catholic faith, but for those who do, they love wholly their Christian brothers and sisters, regardless of the fact that they don't accept the teachings of the Catholic church.

The Pope did not declare that. Let's be honest, a liberalized slanderous version of his commentary was plastered across the world by the press. Read the actual text, and you'll see what I mean.

Ignorance is not a bad word. Read the definition. It means "unknowingness" and that's what comes out of lack of proper research. If you don't look for the answers, you'll never find them.

It seems to me from some of these answers that many of you don't understand the concept of Saints, or of the Catholic understanding of Mary. I suggest you read up on it, or try attending a Catholic mass for once, and you might see that your views are a little askew.

We don't need a priest to confess our sins to God, that's not how it works. Have you tried looking this up? Do you understand the concept of confession?

For the record, Protestants removed books from the Bible. The Catholics did not add them. Look it up.

Answer 1

For centuries. Protestants and Catholics have had disagreements over what a person has to do to be a christian or a believer. While Catholics tend to take the view that Faith produces works, Protestants take the stance more towards the idea of the idea that a person cannot be good enough, so it has more to do with faith, not perfection. I disagree with catholic theology. But I also don't get the whole christian thing. I have a whole lot more ?'s than I have answears. If your'e bent on the whole christain thing. Then just try to understand and be the most faithfull you can be. To me tht is the key. Way too many people in the world are kidding themselves. Thinking they have faith that does'nt really exist. To me the key word is Faithfull. Which actually encompasses both concepts.

Answer 2

Yet another article from "gotquestions.org" can help with this:

A major difference between Catholicism and Protestantism is over the office and authority of the Pope. Catholics and Protestants also disagree on what it means to be justified before God. These differences, and more, are discussed in the article cited below.

Martin Luther was a Catholic monk who felt that the Catholic church had "strayed" from the Truth of the Bible. The whole aim of the 95 Theses nailed to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg was to challenge and REFORM the Catholic church, and bring it "back on track" so to speak. To this day, Lutherans do NOT consider themselves "Protestants" but rather "Reformers" because Luther did not protest AGAINST the Catholic church, he wanted to keep it and "correct" it.

Now... I do not understand what you are referring to when you ask, "What is with the ignorance?" I do not understand what ignorance you mean? There are many differences between the Catholic church's tenets, even today, as was in Luther's day. Yes, they have made some changes, but many non-Catholic Christians feel that Catholics are misguided at best.

It is my hope and prayer that the reforms Luther proposed waaaaaaaaay back then would someday find their way into the Catholic church, and that they will "come back to the fold," so to speak... and discover the errors of their ways.

Have a blessed day!

Answer 3

I think maybe the way it was brought in. And, of course, the "Dark Ages" on the church comes to mind. Now the politics inside the church seemed to be a major concern for Martin Luther, or else he would've never put the 95 thesis on the door. Simony (Buying of Office) was one of the things going on. And why would you try to kill a man for merely writing out the problems of the "Universal Church?" Does a priest have the power to forgive another man for his sins, yet he continues to abuse it's system, knowing all he has to do is come there for forgiveness? Does he learn anything? Or does it become a free pass? How many times does the priest have to see the same man about the same problem?
How does praying to Mary benefit Jesus when the Gospels are specifically about Christ himself? I do not remember any of the apostles, nor Jesus praying to Mary in the Bible.

Answer 4

If you appear on the countless numbers of occasions this question is requested, you could see that only a few Protestants think Catholics are not Christians. The most important divisions of Christianity is Catholicism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodoxy. All of them think within the saving grace of God by way of the loss of life and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ.

Answer 5

First let me say that My Bible tells me the following and I am a Christian.

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 1 (Tim 2:5)

NOT A PRIEST BUT JESUS CHRIST!

I agree with what Evolution is a Fairy wrote. The Bible says that I am saved by my Lord Jesus' Amazing Grace........(the Bible talks of being saved by grace and not by works )(Ephesians 2:8-10, etc.)

I believe that ANYONE who has sincerely ask Jesus Christ into there hearts, has prayed the sinners prayer, has become His follower and is following in His footsteps is a Christian. Not to say we do not sin. God is a forgiving God. This is my opinion.

nfd
~fishineasy~

Answer 6

Catholicism has deviated radically from the teaching of Jesus Christ "hence the name Christianity." How can a denomination that diametrically opposed to the teachings of the founder of Christianity still call itself Christian? Catholicism believes in the infallibility of the pope. This and many other Catholic beliefs are in direct opposition to the teachings of the New Testament. Read the Bible do not rely on "the church" to tell you what it says, and you call others ignorant.

Answer 7

Because Protestant Christians believe, by and large, that to become a Christian, one must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, invite Him into their heart, strive to live a life pleasing to Him, and must not pray to anyone other than God. Many Catholics do not have that personal relationship with Jesus Christ, even though they believe Him to be the Son of God and they worship Him and attend Mass and take the sacraments etc. The Catholic practice of praying to saints also leaves many Protestants saying that Catholics are not Christians because Protestant Christians believe it is wrong to pray to anyone but God. That said, nobody can say who is truly a Christian and who is not, because there exists in many Protestant churches today, many, many people who claim to be a Christian, but who do not have that personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and who cannot therefore, truly call themselves Christians. Only God knows who is truly a Christian and who is not - none of us can decide for someone else. There are many Christian Catholics and many Christian Protestants, just as there are many Catholics and Protestants alike who believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, yet who are not Christians because they have not accepted Him into their hearts as their personal Lord and Saviour.

Hope that helps.

Answer 8

It isn't ignorance. Catholics hijacked the true church during the first century. They pray to Mary, when the only one we are to pray to is Christ alone. They reject the Holy Bible, and most do not trust in Christ as their personal savior. If you never asked Christ into your heart personally, you are not a Christian.

Answer 9

I'm an atheist but I think it's for the same reason the Pope called the Protestants false churches or something...lol

Edit:

No no...I'm sure he personally approved a document in July by the Vatican claiming Protestants "are not true Churches"...and he said the Orthodoxes were true but "defective" churches....

Answer 10

I would say because of all the willfully sinning some ( not all Catholics do).The bible says we are not to willfully sin.And because your Preist teach you have to earn Salvation.And eph.2:8 says it's a free gift of God.It's not what we do but what he done on the cross.You pray to people who can't help you one bit.So basicly it's because you are false teachers of God's word. There is only one meditor between us and God - and that is Jesus.No one else- What needs to change is Catholics need to get born again and then they can call themselves Christian.