2007-10-23 12:53:35 · 38 answers · asked by Witchchix 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Catholics are Christians
2007-10-23 12:59:37 · answer #1 · answered by TigerLily 4 · 6⤊ 6⤋
Catholics ARE Christians. We're the original Christians.
What you're asking though, is, what's the difference between Catholics and Protestants? The answer is: A LOT. And it varies depending on which denomination you're asking about.
Here are some of the most important differences:
Protestants do not believe in:
1)The real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist
2) the perpetual virginity of Mary
3) Praying to the saints
4) The Pope as the successor of Peter
5) Salvation by faith and works (they believe that man is saved by faith alone - completely ignoring James 2)
Protestants also preach sola scriptura (the bible alone) and do not rely at all on tradition.
There were no Protestants until Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the castle church at Wittenberg in 1517.
2007-10-23 13:20:34 · answer #2 · answered by Catholicgal 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm a Catholic. Well Catholics are Christians. The difference between lets say a Baptist and a Catholic is as Catholics we receive the Holy Eucharist and believe it truly is the Body and Blood of Christ, not a symbol. We believe our faith is the true one. We have confession, some religions don't. There isn't a HUGE difference between the Catholic Faith and some others, but there are differences.
2007-10-23 13:09:55 · answer #3 · answered by Emeri K 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Catholicism is a branch of Christianity. Therefore, a Catholic is a Christian.
2007-10-23 13:33:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"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.
2007-10-23 17:53:49 · answer #5 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is like Real Gold vs Fool's Gold.
They both have that yellow glint, but oh what a difference the DNA makes.
In 250 A.D the Catholics organized as a group (they took the descriptive word and made it a noun).
They really pushed this idea because so many people rejected them and their Baptism after they began accepting Idol worshipers back into the fold. At this point they were semi-Christian.
In 325 A.D. they made their new Savior Constantine the Great. He became the New Head of the Church replacing Jesus Christ & was the First Acting Pope. People can argue this point, but look at what He did historically, and it is undeniable to those who are critically honest.
Once Jesus was completely gone, they started on a very slippery slope down to our present day where they more resemble ancient pagan religions than Christianity of the 1st Century.
2007-10-23 13:06:55 · answer #6 · answered by realchurchhistorian 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋
None.
A Catholic is a Christian. There are differences between Catholics and Protestants, and some protestants don't consider Catholics Christians; then again, many Protestants don't consider other forms of Protestants Christian.
That's the unique and interesting thing about Christians. It is impossible to be any sort of Christian and be accepted as such by each other branch of Christianity.
2007-10-23 12:59:09 · answer #7 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 4⤊ 3⤋
Well, since we have so many extreme anti-Catholics that answered this, I'm going to go ahead and go hard core.
Catholics are the original Christians.
Jesus Christ founded the Catholic Church.
All other Christian denominations were founded by MEN.
Only the Catholic Church has the full Truth.
FTW, thanks for playing.
2007-10-23 13:22:16 · answer #8 · answered by Vernacular Catholic 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Catholicism is supposed to be a branch of Christianity. Some Christians view this church as heretical because some of its followers worship and/or pray to saints/Mary/the pope, etc.
Biblical Christianity is based on the Bible and on the fact that EVERYONE is human and not divine. Some Catholics refer to the pope as the Holy Father (the pope is neither holy nor a father; discuss). Some do pray to saints. In the Bible, it is clear that only God can answer prayers. No one needs a "saint" to intercede on their behalf. Cut out the middle man and just talk to God yourself.
Catholics consider saints as people who have died and/or performed miracles (sometimes posthumously). Protestants (or Biblical Christians) consider all Christians as saints.
2007-10-23 13:07:19 · answer #9 · answered by chrstnwrtr 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The basic differences all come down to one thing. Christians believe in the Bible alone. Catholics believe in the Bible plus tradition. To them tradition is equal to the Bible. By the way many Catholics are Christians.
2007-10-23 12:58:46 · answer #10 · answered by Bible warrior 5 · 6⤊ 2⤋
The Bible teaches to be a Christian, not a Catholic, not Baptist, etc.
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2007-10-23 13:27:50 · answer #11 · answered by tsc1976ers 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋