What's the main difference between christian & catholic?

Answer 1

Catholics are Christians. The Church used to be all under one set of guidelines until Martin Luther, basically came along and had a new theology. People who are not Catholic but believe in Jesus are Protestent Chritians, and may or may not also have a denomination (episcopalian, baptist, etc.). ALternatively, there is only one official Catholic Church although many progressive Catholics are trying to change that. This question could write a book.

In addition there are major differences between protestants and Catholics over some things that define them. Following the traditional mass, true transubstantiation of the eucharist (that the bread is the ACTUAL body of Christ), the use of icons, rosaries and other means of prayer divide many Christians and lead to misinformation about Catholics.

It is not true that Catholics worship the dead or saints or anything like that. That is a misunderstanding. I cannot express this enough. It is forbidden to worship anyone but God and Catholics follow this as well. They just have a different relationship with God and God's people, sort of like, asking God to bestow on you the gift of teaching. So you would talk to God about that saint and pray for that divine inspiration. Some people, Christian or not, believe loved ones are watching over us. So if you still believe Catholics are talking to dead people it's not different than remembering a loved one and seeing and hoping for their place next to God. Also, an individual has a relationship with God without needing a priest. Priests are just considered chosen to serve God and help people. As for the pope , well not many catholics believe in the infallibility of the pope anymore but technically it's still a rule. There is a lot of change going on in modern Catholic Churches.

Answer 2

Christians are any that believe in the tenets and teachings of Christ, an umbrella under which Catholocism certainly falls. Until the early 16th century, most "christians" in the world were catholic; either Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox (AKA Greek Orthodox) Catholics. Martin Luther started the protestant reformation in 1517 as an attemt to reform the Catholic Church from many dubious practices that were occurring at the time that didn't come either from Scripture or the example of Christ. As a result of the Reformation, a split (or schism) separated the devout Catholics from others who believed the Vatican was overstepping its bounds in many areas. These others went on to form what are today called the Protestant denominations such as the Lutherans, Calvinists, Baptists, Presbyterians, etc.

Answer 3

A Catholic IS a Christian....

Answer 4

The main definition of a Christian is that they believe that Jesus is the savior, and messiah.

Catholics believe this, so a Catholic is a Christian.

However, the Protestant branch of Christianity, which includes most of the various denominations, Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, etc. began during the Reformation, with Martin Luther. Martin Luther started questioning some of basic dogma of Catholicism, especially the worship of saints and of the Virgin Mary. And, of course, the Bible was tampered with again, changed, edited to suit Mr. Luther's viewpoints. In the end, we have a splitting, producing various denominations, each with the belief that their version is the correct one.

Think: Our Creator is having a celebration in Denver, CO, and has invited ALL people. Some people will drive, some will fly, some will come by boat, and others will walk. What is important, is not how we arrive, but that we do arrive.

Please note: Jesus did not found the Catholic church. Rome did. Jesus taught that the true church is within each one of us.

Answer 5

Catholics like Protestants are Christians. Christianity has Protestantism and Catholicism. Catholicism is the first type of Christianity known to the world and the Catholic Church is the first Church known to the world that represents Christianity. All other branches of Protestantism broke off of the Catholic Church. Anyway Catholics believe the same thing that Protestants believe and that's that Jesus Christ is the lord and savior who died on the cross for our sins.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity

http://www.religioustolerance.org/christ.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestantism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholicism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations

Answer 6

A Christian is someone who believes and follows Jesus Christ.

The word Christian came about when the believers decided to take the name of Jesus. There being everyone around the world knew that you are a follower of Christ.

Am not sure what you are saying here, but I will let the Spirit lead me on what you want to ask, but is not directly asking.


Now the true church of God according to the Bible is one that obeys God's commandments and his statues.
You will know the difference when you see even one thing that is wrong, then you will that is or not the true church of God.

Prayer to God that he will lead you into all truth.

Answer 7

"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 8

There are so many... They are not the same thing at all.
But the one that makes us so different is Cathiolic's believe in 'good works' getting people to heaven. Christians believe that you need to except Jesus into your life and let him take away your sin's and help you do good and not sin against Him so much. Another one is that Christian's go bye what the Bible say's, not by tradition's or what a Priest say's. The thing is, how as sinner, which both Cathlic's and Christians can agree everyone is, can we get to heaven, somewhere that sin can not go with out something to clean those sins away. Is that not selfish to think we can do that all by our selfs? Plus the Word Of God, the Bible, clearly say's that we don't get to heaven throw works but by grace alown, and by the covering of our sin's by Jesus's blood.

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world He sent His one and only Son, for whom every choses to believe in Him will have ever lasting life."

Romans 3:10
"As it is written:
There is no one righteous, not even one;"

Romans 3:22-24
"This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no differenve between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His gravce through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

Romans 10:9-10
"If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God Raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

Some more references are-
-Romans 5:8
-Hebrews 10:10
-Ephesians 2:8-9

Answer 9

Christianity is the broader umbrella under which the Catholic Church falls.

Answer 10

Catholics do NOT follow the bible, they go and pray and ask for forgiveness to and from a MAN, the reality of it is, we do not need a mediator between us and God, because we have a direct connection to God through his son Jesus Christ, we do not need some child molesting priest, not that all of them are Chester's, but alot of them are, to convey our prayers to God for us. that is the difference between true Christian faith and all false religious faith's, like Catholicism. and not all catholics are alcoholic's but alot are. catholic's are alot like penticostles, they are usually in and out of church, I mean that they are wishy washy, one time Christians next time they are not. Good christian catholic's and penticostles, are true Christian's, just seriously miss led by the false doctrine of their so called faith.