What is the difference between Catholics and protestant?

Answer 1

"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 2

There's a lot of bashing here, and it makes both sides look moronic.

Catholics believe that they are the true, original church of Jesus Christ. They believe that Peter was made the first Pope and that Christ anointed him as the rock on which His church would be built. They believe that the key to salvation is merit, where good works are shown as evidence of faith.
They also believe in the Pope receiving direct revelation from heaven, in liturgical worship (meaning a lot more repeating of memorized prayers), infant baptism, and have different beliefs on the Eucharist (Communion) becoming the actual body and blood of Christ when you swallow it.

Headed by a former Catholic priest named Martin Luther, Protestants split off from the Catholic church in the 16th century over a belief that salvation can come by unexersized faith, the slowness of certain reforms and the short-term practice of indulgences. Because of doctrinal differences, Luther removed several books from the OT: 1 and 2 Maccabees, Sirach, Wisdom, Baruch, Tobit, and Judith, and parts of two others, Daniel and Esther. Luther also sought to remove the NT books of Hebrews, James, Jude, and Revelation, but this did not happen.
There are over 39,000 Protestant denominations, so narrowing down the beliefs as a whole is very difficult. Beliefs on salvation, baptism, communion, speaking in tongues, versions of the Bible, and many other issues cause small rifts between each denomination.

Answer 3

The Protestants split from the Catholic Church about 500 years ago, and have been splitting apart from each other ever since. The Catholic Church in is basic form has been around since the second or third century, A.D., although they claim a lineage to Peter as the first pope based on Jesus's establishment of Peter as the rock upon which he would build his church. The differences between Catholics and Protestants vary about as much as there are denominations of Protestantism.

Answer 4

European Catholics worship the Pope and have thrown away the Bible. The Pope promotes the idea of poverty around the world.

Christians (aka Protestants) worship God and see the Bible, not the politician Pope, as God's holy word. Christians promote the idea of prosperity (the middle class or higher) around the world.

Neither European Catholicism or Christianity (aka Protestantism) are infallible; both are imperfect.

Only God is perfect.

Answer 5

Catholics believe in the body and blood of Jesus Christ(The living bread come down from heaven) ,Protestants think its crackers and juice :) That is the most important issue we have to deal with. Accept or deny Jesus, then politics:)

Answer 6

at the risk of over generalizing, the biggest difference - without getting into doctrine and dogma - is that Roman Catholics (yes there are other forms of catholicism) believe in the necessity for works and Protestants believe in Grace alone.

Answer 7

I believe the main difference is that the protestants don't believe the works part that is such a fundamental part of catholicism.

Answer 8

The difference is not much. Both believe in god and try to follow the bible. Catholics are more "into it" and protestants just go to church. Both are man-made so if you just believe in god i think is fine, at least is what i do

Answer 9

Protestants seem to have a problem with transubstantiation. They preach that all things are possible through God, but why is it impossible for Jesus to be present at the Eucharist??? Doesn't make much sense to me...

Answer 10

Catholics have all the truth protestants make it up as they go along