is there really a difference between catholics and christians?

Question

sorry i phrased that wrong im sorry im a christian but i know nothing about catholics what are the differences..gosh sorry

Answer 1

No more than there is between Lutherans and Christians, or Baptists and Christians.

Do you see the problem with your question? You presuppose that Catholics aren't Christians when you ask this.


Edit: Ouch! I just re-read what I wrote...I sound so snooty. Sorry about that.

Well, I guess to answer your (intended) question, I would have to say, the main differences are in liturgy and canon. But the core beliefs are the same.

Answer 2

A bit.

"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 3

I'm surprised how often this question is asked. Roman Catholicism is a form of Christianity. Historically, it split off from the Eastern Orthodox Churches way back before the Middle Ages. Later, there was another major split in Western Christendom between the Roman Catholics and the Protestant Churches.

There are other, lesser known Christian groups in Africa and the Near East (e.g., Coptic Christians, Nestorians and Chaldeans).

To ask if there is a difference between Catholics and Christians is a little like asking is there a difference between Cocker Spaniels and Dogs.
.

Answer 4

michael b said because catholics believe in Jesus they are Christians. well, using his erred logic, muslims must be Christians as well. all of you who believe that catholics are Christians have been sucked into the ecumenical movement of all churches coming under one authority on earth. Jesus said in Jn 14:6 that he is the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by him. This belief is what makes a Christian. catholics do NOT believe this. they believe in a co-redemptrix being Mary-that Mary can also save you (refer back to Jn14:6) and that the pope is the vicar of Christ. vicar means to take the place of. the catholic cult says that a perverted pope takes the place of Jesus. Rev 19:2 'For true and righteous are his judgements: for he hath judged the great whore (catholic church), which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.' Christianity wasn't the killers and ones committing atrocities in the Crusades, it was the catholics. the catholics try to suppress the facts of the Inquisition. a murderous, perverted heretical cult Repent or ye shall all likewise perish-Jesus

Answer 5

There are five major denominations of Christianity: Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant. Therefore, all Catholics are Christians, but not all Christian's are Catholics. One main difference I do know is that Catholics believe in the transubstantiation of Christ (that the bread and the wine served at Mass are actually changed into the body and blood of Christ and NOT just a representation of Christ). Most denominations of Christianity do not believe in that.

Answer 6

Yes, there are a few differences stemming from human differences in microscopic details, just enough of a loop hope for Satan to split any group apart. If not for free will the followers of Christ would still be one faith. But guess what humans were corrupted by the power, (big surprise?) so a large group broke away, then more splitting happened.

Your additional details confused me, as this is a well worded question. Do not apologize for anything here in R&S, people will eat you alive in here.

Answer 7

Catholics belong to religious sect of Christianity. Are all Catholics then Christian, No. No more that all Baptists are Christian... Belonging to a religion doesn't make a person a Christian. Only the God can do that..
Acts 2:47
...And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

IHS Jim

Answer 8

Christians believe in jesus christs teaching thats what christian means and catholics also believe in jesus christs teaching so wouldnt that mean that catholics are christians too. The only other difference I can see are that catholics have faith in not only jesus but mary and various different saints as well as taking part in worldy affairs including wars.

Answer 9

Nope. Christianity is not limited to the Protestants. Chrisitanity has a lineage some two thousand years old, and it includes both Catholics and the various Orthodox denominations as well as post-Reformation Protestants.

Answer 10

catholicism is a branch of christianity ( catholics are christians they believe in christ.) i think you're talking about evangelist christians..the main difference is the place of worship you have probably seen catholic churches they are more elaborately decorated than most evangelist churches...don't get me wrong catholic churches can also be simple but catholic mass is very structurized..you don the same thing every sunday but with a different message and all catholic churches around the world do the same mass ( the same mass message) that very same sunday catholics have to memorize prayers that are included in the mass...evangelist christians also memorize prayers but it is not strictly enforced..it isn't often used in church and of course the obvious difference evangelist christians don't see mother mary as a holy figure, they don't believe in saints