Is being a Catholic the same thing as being a Christian ?

Answer 1

Catholics are not only Christians, they are the largest denomination of Christians. Any Christian who thinks otherwise is woefully ignorant about their own religion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations_by_number_of_members

Answer 2

Yes.

"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

Yes and No. Catholics refer to themselves as Christians however the "christian churches" do not refer to themselves as catholics. The Catholic religion practices a whole lot of things that a real Christian wont like praying to saints and praying rosaries it goes on and on. Christians believe there is only one way to GOD and that is through Jesus Christ and prayer to anyone else saint or not is an abomination and is considered an idol. Catholics seem to have a saint for every event and they kneel before statues. There is just a big difference. Oh and a real christian follows nothing but whats in the bible where as catholics have so many non-bible based rituals that it can seem more like a cult at times.

Answer 4

I'm Catholic, and we worship the same God and the same Lord Jesus Christ as any other Christian denomination. We know that there is only one way to Heaven, and that's through accepting Jesus as our Savior. The Precious Blood that Jesus poured out on the Cross of Calvary is the only perfect and acceptable atonement for sin.

If that doesn't make us Christians, I'm hard-pressed to know what would.

Answer 5

Do you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If yes then yes a Catholic is the same as a Christian

Answer 6

Funny how 500yrs of Protestant thinking has made a gulf between them and Catholics as to being Christian,when people say they are Christian it is a sure thing they mean a saved Protestant and that Catholics are not saved nor Christian,isn`t this arrogant and spiteful?
Anyway yes Catholics are Christians as they believe in and follow Christ.

Answer 7

NO! Absolutely not! Catholicism is only one way to worship God! That is offered through the Church!

Salvation, is what makes you a Christian! No religion can guarantee a place in Heaven, only you can do this through asking the Lord to forgive your sins and to create within you, a new heart!

Seek God on your own! Seek Him through prayer and meditation upon His Word, Seek Him through worship, seek Him in your life! He says, to seek and you will find! He is a God who cannot lie! If you seek Him, truly...you will find Him!

Answer 8

Catholicism is a branch of Christianity, so yes.

Answer 9

No. Catholic is a sub-set of Christianity.

Shopping in Macy's is not the same as shopping in a department store. Macy's is a particular kind of department store, but there are others. Catholic is a particular kind of Christianity, but there are others.


Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant are the three major branches of Christianity.

Half a dozen people who answer you are going to tell you they belong to the One True Branch of Christianity, Catholics don't, and Catholics wear hats to hide their horns.

Answer 10

They believe the same thing, like Jesus is the son of God, but Catholics and Christians do things differently, like Christians confess their sins to God, while Catholics go to a priest. Catholics baptize their baby's, while Christians dedicate them, and when they get older, (the baby's) they decide when to get baptized. Christians worship only God, and Catholics worship Mary.