What's the difference of being Catholic to being Christian?

Question

Is'nt their veiw of god the same?
b/c I'm Roman Catholic and I really don't see a difference.
is roman catholic the same as catholic?

what if I'm not really into that religion even though I was born into it and my parents don't agree with me that I don't believe it.

My parents don't believe that I don't believe in god or anything like that.

Answer 1

Roman Catholic simply refers to Catholics who choose to practice the Roman rites / traditions. No matter where you go on the planet, on any given Sunday, the same readings will be given, but the structure of the mass may be slightly different. For example, one Catholic Church in my town does not offer wine at the eucharist, while another one 5 miles away does.

Here's a site I found or you which goes into a lot more detail regarding the difference between "Roman" Catholicism and other forms:

"The Catechism lists seven rites. These rites so listed: Latin, Byzantine, Alexandrian, Syriac, Armenian, Maronite, and Chaldean are actually families of liturgical expression. These rites are the descendants of the liturgical practices that originated in centers of Rome, Antioch, and Alexandria. "

Answer 2

A Catholic is just a type of Christian, although as with any type there are those who don't consider them 'true' christians. Roman Catholic is the same as Catholic although Catholic in the Nicean Creed means 'united' and not neccesarily just Roman Catholic.





ALSO Pastor art, I would like a copy so e-mail it to me at [e-mail]


May Jesus be with all

Answer 3

JP - growing up i didn't know that we were "Roman Catholics" becuase where i grew up it was "CAtholic" as the same thing. depending on where you live - mroe then likely being a Roman CAtholic IS the same thing.

i'm sorry you don't believe in God. has something happened (or not happened) in your life? I'm sure your parents are having a hard time believing this becuase (& i don't mean to be offensive) they raised you to know and love God. You amy want to talk things out with them or another person who can help you understand why you're shunning what you were raised to know.

Answer 4

"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 5

Catholics emphasize the divine liturgy...the mass.
Evangelical Christians emphasize a personal relationship with the Lord and a deep involvement with the Word of God; it is a miracle faith....people trusting in the Lord for miracles such as healing, and receiving them.

Answer 6

ya know, people all have different opinions of what being Christian means...many non-Catholics see themselves as being Christian, and Catholics as not...and Catholics see themselves as being Christians as well as the non-Catholics as being Christian..in the Bible it says that being a Christian entails following the greatest commandments
1. Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind
2.Love your neighbor as yourself

so thats pretty much it..if you follow those two guidelines, then you are a Christian..pretty bonehead huh?

Answer 7

Catholics are Christians. We were the first. Whatever questions you have I'd be glad to help out with if I can. Email me if you like.

Answer 8

a roman catholic is a catholic however there are orthadox catholics whom are not the same

all catholics are christians but not all christians are catholics.
many of the protestants hold very different beliefs then we do.

they do not believe in transubstantiation
they believe mary was just some person
they do not believe in tradition, as jesus instructed them to
they do not believe in purgatory
they do not follow the pope

there are many more.
email me sometime if you wish

Answer 9

There are two kinds of catholics and One is the Greek Orthodox and the other Roman.
I cannot understand why a people so dedicated to Jesus can not understand that they are Christians because they believe in His forgiveness and not because the church says they are or aren't.
Catholics are Christians Wake Up.

Answer 10

The difference between Protestant and Roman Catholic teaching is significant.

I have a five page Word document which compares the Roman Catholic Catechism to what the Bible teaches. Its too long to copy and paste here.

I'll send a copy to anyone who asks and who send me their regular E-mail address, since that's the only way I can sent it.

Pastor Art