what is the difference between a catholic and a pagan?

Question

Nothing! while pagans pray to numerous gods and godesses, catholics pray to numerous saints, male and females!
what's up with that similarity?

EDIT: The catholic church had a bad habbit of saintifying Gods and Goddesses of religions they where trying to convert! lol! its the truth! there are elements of catholicism in voodoo and, just take look at south American catholics and their figurines

thank you "Meggz" as I could not have said it better myself.
Even though I am a christian "wiccanhpp" makes more sense than some of people than answered! lol...

Answer 1

+ Pagans +

Jews, Christians (including Catholics), and Muslims worship the one true God of Abraham.

A Pagan does not worship the one true God of Abraham.

+ Saints +

Catholics share the belief in the Communion of Saints with many other Christians, including the Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Episcopal, and Methodist Churches.

The Communion of Saints is the belief where all saints are intimately related in the Body of Christ, a family. When you die and go to heaven, you do not leave this family.

Everyone in heaven or on their way to heaven are saints, you, me, my deceased grandmother, Mary the mother of Jesus, Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II.

As part of this family, you may ask your family and friends living here on earth to pray for you. Or, you may also ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Andrew, or your deceased grandmother living in heaven to pray for you.

Prayer to saints in heaven is simple communication, not worship.

Asking others to pray for you whether your loved ones on Earth or your loved ones in heaven is always optional.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 946 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p5.htm#946

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 2

There are many pagans today who don't pray to countless gods and goddesses.

The main difference is that Catholics are Christian, and Pagans are just that, Pagans. Paganism is anything that does not adhere to the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam). However it is true that Catholicism was created as a means of converting Pagans to Christianity. The Church in the Middle Ages wanted something that the general public was familiar with so that converting wouldn't seem like a drastic change to anyone.

Answer 3

First of all, Pagans don't necessarily pray to anyone or anything - "Pagan" is an umbrella term for certain nature-worshipping, mystical religions, generally involving magick. There are a badillion Pagan faiths, nearly as many as there are Pagans, and it's insulting to everyone to lump them together.
Now, for the difference - Catholics pray to saints because they believe that the saints will either intercede with God on their behalf or help them out themselves. The saints are an extension of, a subset of, or a channel to God, while the polydeistic Pagan sects worship each God/Goddess as a deity in His/Her own right. The Catholics aren't doing anything strictly unbiblical. Did not the disciples heal people as well as Jesus? Did not Jewish leaders, who Jesus was raised under, intercede with God on the behalf of their people?

And, more importantly, were Christians of all denominations not warned that it's not our place to judge?

(Oh, and just so there's a bit of perspective on my position, I'm a protestant Christian.)

Answer 4

The term pagan is from Latin paganus, an adjective originally meaning "rural", "rustic" or "of the country." As a noun, paganus was used to mean "country dweller, villager." From its earliest beginnings, Christianity spread much more quickly in major urban areas (like Antioch, Alexandria, Corinth, Rome) than in the countryside, and soon the word for "country dweller" became synonymous with someone who was "not Christian," giving rise to the modern meaning of "pagan.".......

Many current pagans in industrial societies base their beliefs and practices on a connection to Nature, and a divinity within all living things, but this may not hold true for all forms of paganism, past or present. Some believe that there are many deities, while some believe that the combined subconscious spirit of all living things forms the universal deity. Paganism predates modern monotheism, although its origins are lost in prehistory.

theres a WHOLE LOT MORE... http://stanislauspaganpride.com/paganism.html

The Catholic Church teaches that being a Catholic requires three things: 1) Baptism; 2) profession of the truths of the Faith; and 3) lawful communion of the Church. At no time has the Catholic Church ever placed the condition of membership in the Church upon anything else. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned."

http://www.vaticaninexile.com/Traditionalists/1stTraditionalistBishop.html

Answer 5

it somewhat is observed as syncretism, meaning whilst some thing takes practices and ideology and combines them with its very own. Many pagan rituals and trip journeys have been absorbed via the church because it accelerated via Europe. Easter, case in point, is the day your Christ grew to become into resurrected. in spite of the undeniable fact that, some pagans rejoice Ostara, it somewhat is the place you get finished ingredient with eggs and rabbits. some even argue it has some thing to do with Ishtar or Astarte, goddesses of fertility. whilst does the trip come around? on the commencing up of spring, whilst nature starts to bloom and awaken from wintry climate. enable's seem at Christmas. whilst is that? December 25, close to the wintry climate solstice. It has additionally absorbed distinctive pagan traditions and celebrations, alongside with adorning the tree. So before you circulate accusing every physique of idolatry, I advise you're taking an prolonged hard seem at your guy or woman practices. besides, do no longer Protestants proudly reveal an empty circulate as a reminder of their risen savior? some even the place it as rings. in spite of the undeniable fact that it is not the same ingredient, you protest. isn't it? in case you already know the factor i'm getting during, then you particularly've the respond on your question.

Answer 6

You are stereo-typing Catholics and Pagans and trying to force them into a preconceived box of what you *think* they practice.

Catholics pray *with* saints, which includes Mary. Catholics, and many other Christians believe in the communion of saints. I know Lutherans do, as I grew up in that church. This doctrine states all believers living and passed on make up the church as death is not the end. Praying with a saint by asking their intercession is no different than asking members of your church to pray for you in a time of need. Catholics worship God alone, not saints or Mary.

There are thousands of Pagan religions all with differing beliefs and prayer practices.

-------------
Apostle's Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.
The third day He arose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
**the communion of saints,**
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.

Amen.

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After some thought on this subject, I feel compelled to point out that....
Christianity in general has what were previously (and currently still for that matter) defined as Pagan concepts: virgin birth of a diety, diety becoming flesh, a dying and resurrecting sacrificial god. None of this is to be found in Judaism.

Answer 7

Catholics worships the divine. True, they honor the saints who were once human beings like us. But the Catholic Rome ordained sainthood upon these godly people and Catholics pray to these saints for intercession actually and not worship.
They are honored, not to be worshiped.
Pagans are those that worship even those things that didn't have life. There were tribes that believed that the spirit of their
ancestors roam the earth, and turn to them for intercession in their time of need.

Answer 8

Many Pagan Gods and Goddesses were "sainted" to entice Pagans to convert to Christianity. "Saint" Brighid immediately comes to mind because I have studied Celtic God/desses quite a bit. But, I assure you, there are many, many differences in the religions -- but I have to admit, most Pagans I know used to be Catholic. Some say they liked the ritualistic nature of Catholicism, but didn't agree with all the tenents. Whatever makes one happy and speaks to them is what they should follow.

Jocko, actually "Pagan" means 'country dweller'. Not all non-Christians are Pagans.

Thank you, Asker. I've had many years of experience and study. ;)

Answer 9

Any difference is the difference between a Catholic and a pagan. "Pagan" means "non-Christian" (but is sometimes applied, by extension, to other major religions).

Answer 10

K, let me see...

We believe in ONE God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth (apostles' creed).

The saints are our loved ones in heaven - family - who simply help us by interceding for us.

Numerous gods would mean that we would worship not one god, but many, and they would be deities, not created beings (saints). So then, after a simple examination, you are wrong.

God bless and Merry Christmas.