I'm a Roman Catholic, and most of my aquaintances are Christian. Is there a difference?

It would be like saying what is the difference between a Baptist and a Lutheran, they are all denominations within the Christian faith,
So you as a Catholic are a Christian, but I wonder?? Since all catholics know they are christian, just not a protestant.

In Catholic we have the Pope as the head of our group, the Lutheran will have a president of their synod, the Anglican have a Arch Bishop and so on, The Catholics, Anglican, Orthodox, and some lutheran have specific beleifs about communion, other protestands have other beleifs on it,

So if you can tell us what denomination they are, we can tell you more specifi differences, since as I stated a Catholic is a Christian.

So are they basically the same?

They have various customes and types of service, the Catholic and Anglicans and Lutherans and Orthodox are much more alike than a catholic and baptist.

So as noted unless you give what denomination your friends are, I can't say exactly what differences you may see.

For example a Penticostal church service is a lot different than a Catholic Service, but then it would be a lot different than a Lutheran or Orthodox also.

I am a Christian and I can tell you about my beliefs.
Jesus Christ is the head of the church, not the pope.
I accept Christ by doing His will. This means I study the Bible so I will know what it is I have to do to be saved. I confessed before man that Jesus is the Son of God. I was baptized into Jesus Christ for the remission of my sins. I believe that you are baptized when you are old enough to know who Jesus is and understand the sacrifice He made for us. We do not baptize babies because we do not believe that babies are in sin. If a baby or small child passes away they will be with the heavenly Father. I believe that if I do not partake of the Lord's supper (communion), I will have no life in me. I believe that the Lord's supper must be taken every Lord's day (Sunday). I believe that my job, while I am on this earth is to tell others of the good news of Jesus Christ, and that the only way to heaven and our Father is through Jesus. There is no other way. I do not believe that just by accepting Christ into your heart you are automatically saved. That is a very good start though. I do not believe that once saved always saved. A Christian can certainly loose their soul if they don't do God's will. I believe that the judgement is final, there is no changing, there is no praying someone out of hell. The judgement is the end of life on this earth. If our name is not in the Book of Life, we will not be saved. "Every eye shall see Him." When Jesus returns, in the clouds, on that final day, we must be ready. There will be no second chances.

I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we cannot see heaven by any other person, and I apologize in advance, but not even the pope can get anyone to heaven. He is just a man and every man has sin, Jesus was the only man with no sin. The Bible warns us to watch out for false prophets. We have to be aware of the people who claim to be the way to God. That is why God says, "study to show thyself approved."

I certainly believe in heaven as well as hell, and that hell is eternal punishment.

Sorry if I offended anyone, but this is my belief and it is from God's word.

And yes, there are lots of differences between Catholics and Christians.

I need to add this too. I believe that Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. Jesus said, "no one comes to the Father except through me."

Simply put - There is no difference. Chistians are any religion that believes in Christ, in whatever way. Catholics believe in Christ so they are Christian.

It's like this:
The category is Christian
Subcategory - Catholics
Subcategory - Methodists
Subcategory - Jehovah's Witness
Subcategory - Baptists

The category is None-Christian
Subcategory - Buddists
Subcategory - Jewish
Subcategory - Hindu

Hello Lixui, Listen, I realize you have all these long winded answers posted here. Then you can see a comment below my brief explanaition (Donna Mae disagrees: I can see you put a lot of thought in your answer. (Don't have a winky smilie -you'll just have to imagine one.))

It really is NOT a difficult question to answer. What I gave you is purely factual, without any long winded religiously tained explanation. I was not out to convert you etc. just stating the FACTS.

I think a big difference is that catholics believe that good works will get you into heaven, and they believe in purgatory which is basically an in between place of heaven and hell. Christians believe that only through gods grace and our faith will get us into heaven.

i think a big difference is that catholics believe that good works will get you into heaven, and they believe in purgatory which is basically an in between place of heaven and hell. christians believe that only through gods grace and our faith will get us into heaven.

No, Catholics believe you get into heaven by grace, That Jesus died for our sins. The work does not get us into heaven, you must have Catholics confused with someone else.

Holy Souls Crusade - Where or what is Purgatory? (http://www.holysoulscrusade.org/purgatory.html)

There is no clear cut opinoin by all christians, what happens to the soul from the time of death to what many call the second coming. Do they remain asleep, do they go to heaven or hell right away or do they go to some waiting or staging area?
All the gorups differ greatly on this.
But they do agree that in the end, believers do go to heaven

I'm a Roman Catholic, and most of my aquaintances are Christian. Is there a difference?
Christians are the followers of Christ laws that in the bible. If you saw a group of religion not follow Christ's laws they are not christian, they just pretending. visit Members of the Church of God International (http://www.angdatingdaan.com)

Basics -

I googled this for you:

Definitions of christian on the Web:

relating to or characteristic of Christianity; "Christian rites"
a religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination
following the teachings or manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus Christ
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

A Christian is normally very narrow-minded, judgmental followers of Jesus of Nazareth, referred to as the Christ.. .
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian

a person who believes in Christianity; also an adjective
English Vocabulary: Christmas Vocabulary (EnglishClub.com) (http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/festivals-christmas.htm)

the name given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach, to the followers of Jesus ("little Christ's!"). It was first used at Antioch. The names by which the disciples were known among themselves were "brethren," "the faithful," "elect," "saints," "believers.. .
Calvary Chapel San Bernardino - Theological Terms & Definitions (http://www.calvarysbd.com/terms.htm)

Religious organizations that provide opportunities for people to satisfy their inner needs and enhance their spiritual growth through organized worship or through other devotional activities under the auspices of one of the group of religious faiths that is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ...
nccs2.urban.org/ntee-cc/x.htm

"Christ's ones," that is, believers in Christ. In Acts 11:26 it says that "the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.. .
answering-islam.org/Testimonies/TruePath/glossary.htm

a strongly Hellenized religion that began as a Jewish theological contention that a certain Jesus (Yeshu) of Nazareth (b. ca. 4 BC) was the prophesied Messiah (Greek, Christos).. .
Glossary of Non-Indian Nations (http://www.hotcakencyclopedia.com/ho.GlossaryNonIndianNation.html)

Christian, as distinguished from Jewish
encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861674910/gentile.html

This is simply the word to denote a person who is a follower of Jesus and his teachings.
www.highwaychurchofchrist.com/dictionary/

And there are more.....

Now for Catholic -

Definitions of Catholic on the Web:

of or relating to or supporting Catholicism; "the Catholic Church"
a member of a Catholic church
free from provincial prejudices or attachments; "catholic in one's tastes"
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Catholic - derived, through Latin, from the Greek adjective καθολικός, meaning "general", "universal" (cf. -
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic

Christian faith, church organized under the Pope, worship centred on the Mass Protestant – Christian faith, denies the authority of the Pope, worship focused on the Bible Papist – derogatory term for Catholics, as believers in the power of the Pope Heretic – derogatory term for Protestants...
Glossary : Elizabeth : Past exhibitions : Exhibitions : What's on : NMM (http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/nav.005001005000000008)

A word derived from the Greek katolikos, and meaning 'general' or 'universal'... in present-day usage, it is employed of those Christians who claim to be in possession of a historical and continuous tradition of faith and practice, as opposed to Protestants, who tend to find their ultimate...
St Sam's Dictionary (http://www.stsams.org/dictionary.html)

Selections from OCP, JS Paluch & Glory & Praise
www.christiancomputer.com/

This word comes from a Greek word meaning "universal" and may, therefore, be used to apply to all Christians. When it is used this way, it usually begins with a little c. Sometimes it is used with a capital C when the writer means the Roman Catholic Church.
www.allsaintsmd.org/newcomer/episcopal-language.html

This came from the Greek word Katholikos which means "throughout the whole" or "universal." This implies a world-wide faith, rather than a local one. The Nicene Creed, recited in the churches of many Christian denominations, speaks of "one holy catholic and apostolic church.. .
Glossary of religious terms (Starting with "C") (http://www.translationdirectory.com/glossaries/glossary007_c.htm)

Addressed to all Christians
Theological Dictionary (http://www.innvista.com/culture/religion/diction.htm)

So, I'm not sure why some people are getting upset. Those are the facts.

wikipedia has little value as anything but often biased postings, since people add and edit it
but here is there Christian link that shows catholics as listed as christians
Christianity - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity)

Also from the "web" Q & A: Is there a difference between Catholic and Christian? (http://www.everystudent.com/forum/difference.html)
There are many Christian denominations and churches: Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, and so on. Being a member of one doesn't determine whether a person is a Christian.
The real issue is whether the person individually has Jesus Christ living inside of him or her... if they actually have a personal relationship with God.
In the Gospel of John, we are told, "to all who received him [referring to Jesus], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."1 Why do we have to become children of God? Because until then, God is distant. We may know he's there. We may know we are supposed to worship him. We may even know that in times of need, he's the one to pray to. But there is a distance we are aware of, and it is because of our sin.
Now, as long as we live and breathe, guess what, we're going to sin. We're going to do things our way instead of God's way. But our sin need not remain a barrier between us and God. Here's how.
The Bible says that there is a penalty for sin, and it might be greater than you'd expect. The penalty for sin is death. It's not just the penalty for sins like murder. It's God's judgment against any and all sins. The Bible says, "For the wages of sin is death..."2 So that we would not have to die eternally separated from God because of our sin, Jesus died in our place. He fully paid for our sin. And offers us complete forgiveness. Not temporary forgiveness. Even for the sins we will commit in the future, we can have his forgiveness now, because Jesus died for all of our sin. We can immediately begin a close, personal relationship with him, that barrier of sin being gone. It isn't that we become perfect and no longer sin. But we become forgiven when we see that Jesus died for our sin, in our place.
"Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us."3
When we receive Jesus Christ into our lives, God declares us "not guilty" and he says that we are now "made right with God." Our relationship with God has begun in a real way, where we no longer know God is "out there," but instead we know that he lives inside of us. We have God's forgiveness, a relationship with him. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."4
If you would like to be certain that you have a personal relationship with God, your sins forgiven, and no longer any barrier between you and God, the following explain how to have this now: Knowing God Personally (http://www.everystudent.com/features/gettingconnected.html)


And OK, I fell alseep trying to read this link, but this is the official stance from the Catholic church on being christian
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Christianity (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03712a.htm)

wikipedia has little value as anything but often biased postings, since people add and edit it
but here is there Christian link that shows catholics as listed as christians
Christianity - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity)

Also from the "web" Q & A: Is there a difference between Catholic and Christian? (http://www.everystudent.com/forum/difference.html)
There are many Christian denominations and churches: Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, and so on. Being a member of one doesn't determine whether a person is a Christian.
The real issue is whether the person individually has Jesus Christ living inside of him or her...if they actually have a personal relationship with God.
In the Gospel of John, we are told, "to all who received him [referring to Jesus], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."1 Why do we have to become children of God? Because until then, God is distant. We may know he's there. We may know we are supposed to worship him. We may even know that in times of need, he's the one to pray to. But there is a distance we are aware of, and it is because of our sin.
Now, as long as we live and breathe, guess what, we're going to sin. We're going to do things our way instead of God's way. But our sin need not remain a barrier between us and God. Here's how.
The Bible says that there is a penalty for sin, and it might be greater than you'd expect. The penalty for sin is death. It's not just the penalty for sins like murder. It's God's judgment against any and all sins. The Bible says, "For the wages of sin is death..."2 So that we would not have to die eternally separated from God because of our sin, Jesus died in our place. He fully paid for our sin. And offers us complete forgiveness. Not temporary forgiveness. Even for the sins we will commit in the future, we can have his forgiveness now, because Jesus died for all of our sin. We can immediately begin a close, personal relationship with him, that barrier of sin being gone. It isn't that we become perfect and no longer sin. But we become forgiven when we see that Jesus died for our sin, in our place.
"Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us."3
When we receive Jesus Christ into our lives, God declares us "not guilty" and he says that we are now "made right with God." Our relationship with God has begun in a real way, where we no longer know God is "out there," but instead we know that he lives inside of us. We have God's forgiveness, a relationship with him. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."4
If you would like to be certain that you have a personal relationship with God, your sins forgiven, and no longer any barrier between you and God, the following explain how to have this now: Knowing God Personally (http://www.everystudent.com/features/gettingconnected.html)


And ok, I fell alseep trying to read this link, but this is the official stance from the Catholic church on being christian
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Christianity (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03712a.htm)

Geeze, talk about long winded. NO ONE said, at least not from what I have read here, that Catholics are not Christian. So I find your answer... well, not relating to the question.

The question was: What is the difference between Catholic and Christian? The simple answer to this is - They are the same thing, as Catholics believe in Christ, therefore making them Christians.

Now, you can add this or that personal note to that. But in the end, that is the answer. :eek:

no, Catholics believe you get into heaven by grace, That Jesus died for our sins. The work does not get us into heaven, you must have Catholics confused with someone else.

Holy Souls Crusade - Where or what is Purgatory? (http://www.holysoulscrusade.org/purgatory.html)

there is no clear cut opinoin by all christians, what happens to the soul from the time of death to what many call the second comming. do they remain asleep, do they go to heaven or hell right away or do they go to some waiting or staging area?
All the gorups differ greatly on this.
But they do agree that in the end, believers do go to heavenmy family grew up catholic, on the chicago south west side, they were taught that only good works and praying to the virgin mary get you into heaven.. I do believe that there are catholics who are truly saved I believe that only god can forgive sins, but I just don't see many catholics such as yourself. I think we should call ourselves disciples of christ, as this is what we are called to make and be.

Christians are the followers of Christ laws that in the bible. if you saw a group of religion not follow Christ's laws they are not christian, they just pretending. visit Members of the Church of God International (http://www.angdatingdaan.com)


Are you referring that the members of the church of God International are not christian?

Look at my bio, religion and law, long winded is what you get.

Basics -

I googled this for you:

Definitions of christian on the Web:

relating to or characteristic of Christianity; "Christian rites"
a religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination
following the teachings or manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus Christ
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

A Christian is normally very narrow-minded, judgmental followers of Jesus of Nazareth, referred to as the Christ. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian

a person who believes in Christianity; also an adjective
English Vocabulary: Christmas Vocabulary (EnglishClub.com) (http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/festivals-christmas.htm)

the name given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach, to the followers of Jesus ("little Christ's!"). It was first used at Antioch. The names by which the disciples were known among themselves were "brethren," "the faithful," "elect," "saints," "believers. ...
Calvary Chapel San Bernardino - Theological Terms & Definitions (http://www.calvarysbd.com/terms.htm)

Religious organizations that provide opportunities for people to satisfy their inner needs and enhance their spiritual growth through organized worship or through other devotional activities under the auspices of one of the group of religious faiths that is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ ...
nccs2.urban.org/ntee-cc/x.htm

"Christ's ones," that is, believers in Christ. In Acts 11:26 it says that "the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. ...
answering-islam.org/Testimonies/TruePath/glossary.htm

a strongly Hellenized religion that began as a Jewish theological contention that a certain Jesus (Yeshu) of Nazareth (b. ca. 4 BC) was the prophesied Messiah (Greek, Christos). ...
Glossary of Non-Indian Nations (http://www.hotcakencyclopedia.com/ho.GlossaryNonIndianNation.html)

Christian, as distinguished from Jewish
encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861674910/gentile.html

This is simply the word to denote a person who is a follower of Jesus and his teachings.
www.highwaychurchofchrist.com/dictionary/

And there are more.....

Now for Catholic -

Definitions of Catholic on the Web:

of or relating to or supporting Catholicism; "the Catholic Church"
a member of a Catholic church
free from provincial prejudices or attachments; "catholic in one's tastes"
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Catholic - derived, through Latin, from the Greek adjective καθολικός, meaning "general", "universal" (cf. -
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic

Christian faith, church organized under the Pope, worship centred on the Mass Protestant – Christian faith, denies the authority of the Pope, worship focused on the Bible Papist – derogatory term for Catholics, as believers in the power of the Pope Heretic – derogatory term for Protestants ...
Glossary : Elizabeth : Past exhibitions : Exhibitions : What's on : NMM (http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/nav.005001005000000008)

A word derived from the Greek katolikos, and meaning 'general' or 'universal'.... in present-day usage, it is employed of those Christians who claim to be in possession of a historical and continuous tradition of faith and practice, as opposed to Protestants, who tend to find their ultimate ...
St Sam's Dictionary (http://www.stsams.org/dictionary.html)

Selections from OCP, JS Paluch & Glory & Praise
Christian Computer Concepts (http://www.christiancomputer.com/)

This word comes from a Greek word meaning "universal" and may, therefore, be used to apply to all Christians. When it is used this way, it usually begins with a little c. Sometimes it is used with a capital C when the writer means the Roman Catholic Church.
www.allsaintsmd.org/newcomer/episcopal-language.html

This came from the Greek word Katholikos which means "throughout the whole" or "universal." This implies a world-wide faith, rather than a local one. The Nicene Creed, recited in the churches of many Christian denominations, speaks of "one holy catholic and apostolic church. ...
Glossary of religious terms (Starting with "C") (http://www.translationdirectory.com/glossaries/glossary007_c.htm)

Addressed to all Christians
Theological Dictionary (http://www.innvista.com/culture/religion/diction.htm)

So, I'm not sure why some people are getting upset. Those are the facts.

There's no catholic chruch in the bible. It is Church of God (Act20:28, ICor.1:2; 10;32 ; 11;32, ITim.3:5, ICor.15:9, Gal1:13)

Look at my bio, religion and law, long winded is what you get.

So I wonder, do you feel you need to talk to us all as if we were uneducated? I have a masters and speak several languages. But I don't treat others as uneducated. Come back on down to us humans here. LOL

All in good spirit though. We'll agree to disagree.

Marvin
Quote
marvin_082500 disagrees: If they are all Christian why they have diffirent in faith. Christian are the followers of CHrist doktrines that's why there is only one Faith (Efesian4:5) End Quote

That was not the question here. By definition, those that follow the teachings of Christ... in whatever way... are Christians. Therfore Catholics are Christians, just as are Baptists, Lutheran, Jehovah's Witness etc.

Well go to this website and watch the documentary. Then see if you believe in jesus.
Zeitgeist - The Movie (http://zeitgeistmovie.com/)

Seen it, and don't really take much for conspiracy, tell me, did you believe everything in the da vinci code by dan brown... you can be honest

It was a great fictional book, I would say if you love a good fiction story it was written to be beleivable, so much some people did.

The Movie, not enough action for my taste, Give me one of the Raiders of the Lost Ark type any day.

Wow, thanks, everyone! ^_^ I think I understand just a little bit. But I do believe that whoever believes and does good will go to Heaven.

It is who ever believes ( in Jesus) , actually they "should" do good work, but it is not the doing the good work that saves you

Marvin
Quote
marvin_082500 disagrees: If they are all Christian why they have diffirent in faith. Christian are the followers of CHrist doktrines thats why there is only one Faith (Efesian4:5) End Quote

That was not the question here. By definition, those that follow the teachings of Christ... in whatever way... are Christians. Therfore Catholics are Christians, just as are Baptists, Lutheran, Jehovah's Witness etc.

You mentioned dominant religious groups that believing in the bible. I believe in Gods word in the bible. Christian bowdown and pray to God. Gods not allowing to kneel down before images. Thou shalt not made ingrave images but isaw some groups kneel down and pray in images. Why babtist call them slef babtist and not all them doing babtism. Gods church call in His name, and lutherans named their church after martin luthers name. I believe there is only one church. That is the church of God in the bible. The people in that church are Christian.

Donna Mae, I hate to correct you but Jesus Christ is not the HEAD of any church. Churches are organized affiliations with certain denominations. Jesus is the deity on which the beliefs of Christians are based. The Pope is the Man in Charge of the Catholic Denomination.

Okay, okay, I am getting a headache over reading all of this. Let me just say that I am a Catholic women who has taught CCD, so I feel that I have knowledge in this area. I am not perfect and I don't have all of the answers, but I believe that I have at least some knowledge.

First, a lot of people on this thread are correct. Catholics are Christians. The definition of a Christian is ANYONE who believes that Jesus Christ is our savior. People who believe that Jesus existed are not necessarily Christians, as Jewish people believe that Jesus existed as a man, but not their Messiah, as they are still waiting for that. Therefore, Jewish people are NOT Christians, as they do not follow Jesus' teachings.

Protestants came as a result of reformation in Europe. Protestant denominations came about as a result of not agreeing with (otherwise known as protesting - hence the word Protestant) all of the beliefs, practices and traditions that the Catholic Church were having people follow at the time. Protestants are also Christians, as they still believe in Jesus Christ, but they do not follow all of the beliefs, traditions and practices of the Catholic faith.

Without going into specifics of each of the religions, as it could go on forever, that is in a nutshell the difference between Catholic and Protestant. The most important think to note is that in all religions, whether they be Christian (which includes both Catholic and Protestant denominations), Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, and all others that I cannot recall at this moment is that we all essentially believe in the same thing. Treat others well and love one another. If we could all truly follow this - NO MATTER WHAT RELIGION WE FOLLOW - this world would be a MUCH better place.

Donna Mae, I hate to correct you but Jesus Christ is not the HEAD of any church. Churches are organized affiliations with certain denominations. Jesus is the deity on which the beliefs of Christians are based. The Pope is the Man in Charge of the Catholic Denomination.


According to the bible colossians 1:18 Jesus Christ is the head of the body which is the church. Now what verse in the bible the He is not the head of the church?

Catholics are Technically Christians because they believe Jesus is the Son of God. The only problem I have with Catholism is why do they pray through Saints and Mary when Jesus specifically said "I am the Way..no one come to the father but by ME"

Why do catholics ask Mary to make intercesion for them and yet the Bible says the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us and it also says Jesus is seated at the right Hand of the Father making intercesory prayers for us. So if there are any catholics out there who can answer theses questions I would like to know how you justify prayers to of through Mary and the Saints.

Dear Lixue-Sebille 3,

Catholics are a subgroup of true Christians. Some Catholics are genuine, believing, disciples of Christ. Some Baptists are genuine, believing disciples of Christ. Same is true for Methodists, Lutherans, Church of Christ...

As Peter said in his first recorded "sermon":

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." We find that passage in Acts 2:36. Anyway, if Jesus is your Lord and your Saviour, you are a true Christian.

Rob

Catholics are Technically Christians because they believe Jesus is the Son of God. The only problem i have with Catholism is why do they pray through Saints and Mary when Jesus specifically said "I am the Way..no one come to the father but by ME"

Why do catholics ask Mary to make intercesion for them and yet the Bible says the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us and it also says Jesus is seated at the right Hand of the Father making intercesory prayers for us. So if there are any catholics out there who can answer theses questions i would like to know how you justify prayers to of through Mary and the Saints.

While this has been answered dozens of times in various threads, I have to ask why your group or denomination does not, since most do ?

Do you not believe in the fact that those who die in Christ are alive in heaven with Christ ? Do you not send out a prayer list to other members f your church to pray for others ( if you do, are they not interceding for you) So asking others to pray for you is bibical?

So if it is bibical to ask others on earth to pray for you, why is it all of a sudden wrong to ask those people who have died in Christ and are in heaven already to pray for us also?

Also please understand that the idea of saints while down played in some protestant churche are very much still done there also.

The Catholics, all of the Orthodox, the Anglican, Episcoal, some of the Lutherans ( orgainally all, they even had lists of saints, special saint days) and it is included in the general prayers of some of the Methodist order of services.

So actually MOST Christians include asking intercession to saints.

Religion is like politics. People are either going to disagree or agree. I choose to agree to disagree, turn the other cheek so to speak. Again, to be a Christian means that you are a follower of Christ and his teachings. Plain and simple.

I agree to disagree. You believe what you believe, I will believe what I believe.

The True God is not made of wood or metal or stone so why worship him in this way? We are urged to worship Him with spirit and truth (John 4:23,24) NOT by sight such as images.

Idolatry includes the worship or veneration of literal idols, images, statues and phsical representations of a deity. Is the cross not basically a carved image?

Surely christians would never insult God by showing such high regard for something he clearly warned us against?

I do have to laught, who made the "Christian doctrine" the Catholic and Orthodox Churches established all of the churches creeds and teachings during the first few 100 years of the churches start.

And there is no Catholic that worships a image, this is mere lies some hate group pushes. The worship God but often use things to help them feel the closness of God, no different that Protestatn churches with large picture of Jesus and large crosses hung in the front, still an image or material thing. They are mere reminders.

Also Catholics do not pray to anyone other than the Father, though Jesus but do ask intercession of Saints both alive and dead.

It is obvous that poster has only gotten their info from anti catholic groups who I will say are very non christian as not accepting other christians as beleivers.
And has never actually studied what the church reallly does today.

As stated above, a Christian follows the teachings of Jesus. We love one another and we treat others in a kind and loving way.

Yes, I agree that there is a passage in the Old Testament that speaks of worshipping idols, etc. That is where my statement of worshipping a "Golden Calf" came in and this is what is being misconstrued. In Moses's absence, the worshippers began worshipping the likeness of the "Golden Calf". THIS was the idol that God had warned us against. If the posters who are so opposed to the Catholic faith would take a brief moment to calm down and hear what we are trying to say, you would realize that Catholics are not worshipping statues. We are worshipping God and Jesus. Father Chuck very nicely states states that these statues and images are a reminder, mere symbols of our faith, and are NOT idols. Just because we ask for Mary and the saints to pray FOR us does not mean that we are praying TO them. If you listen to the Hail Mary, it clearly states that we are asking Mary to PRAY FOR US SINNERS, we are not praying TO her. We ask the other saints to pray for us as well. This is the same thing as when we ask our friends and family to pray for us. This is also the same thing when people make requests on prayer chains to pray for us. We are not praying to the people on the prayer chain, we are ASKING them to PRAY FOR US, as when two people are in agreement for something that is being prayed for, God will hear our prayers.

Donna Mae, I hate to correct you but Jesus Christ is not the HEAD of any church. Churches are organized affiliations with certain denominations. Jesus is the deity on which the beliefs of Christians are based. The Pope is the Man in Charge of the Catholic Denomination.

I think I understand what you are saying, you are right, Jesus is not the head of any organized religion, but He is the head of His church. Christ' church is a Bible based church, Christians who study God's word, the Bible. Who follow what God teaches us. No man made scriptures, we do not take away from or add to God's word.

Colossians 1:13-20
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.

For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.

And He is before all things, and by him all things consist.

And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.

Colossians 1:13-20
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.

For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.

And He is before all things, and by him all things consist.

And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.

It appears that you are taking certain scriptures to suit your own beliefs and are not comparing them to other scriptures which tell us what you don't want to believe. (Not taking away from God's Word - really?) I can't see from these scriptures where you have an excuse to worship idols.:confused:

So because the command was given way, way back in the OT, you don't think it applies to christians now?
NT - (1 Cor 10:14)
"Flee from idolatry" - council to First Century christians.

BTW Chuck, is it really so hard for us to feel so close to God that we need to use an object to help us?
(Rom 1:22,23) - "Although asserting they were wise they became foolish and turned the glory of the incorruptable God into something like the image of corruptable man..."
Therefore an image can never match the glory of God so it can never be a truthful way of worship.

Again, we are not WORSHIPPING the images, we are worshipping God and Jesus, the spirits. The statues and images and the cross are symbols, but we don't pray to these.

So if you anyone is saying that Catholics are not true Christians for the mere fact that we have statues, crosses and images in our church, that is a bunch of baloney. Protestants have crosses in their churches that are a symbol of their faith. Therefore based on what has been posted here, they would not be true Christians because they have this symbol in their church. I don't believe that. Christians (and Catholics are included in this) pray to a higher power, NOT symbols. These symbols are used to HONOR God and Jesus, not to pray TO them.

There are about 38,000 demoninations CLAIMING to be christian throughout the world and yet look at all the disharmony. That's a pretty WIDE and SPACIOUS looking path if you ask me! ;)

Most are very similar, and most of all the largest are very similar,
Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Episcopal are all very similar, and then the Lutheran and Methodist are close to them
It is mostly the newer denominations that are more spread. So in general the largest part of Christianity are very close in beleifs and practice in actual faiths.

And most all believe in salvation by faith, most believe Jesus was the Son of God and faith in him saves. Most follow and believe the Apostles Creed as developed by the early church, the Lords Prayer.

While going to the wide spread, percentage wide, the largest wide spread is not that large ( in percentages.)

[QUOTE=Moparbyfar]It appears that you are taking certain scriptures to suit your own beliefs and are not comparing them to other scriptures which tell us what you don't want to believe. (Not taking away from God's Word - really?) I can't see from these scriptures where you have an excuse to worship idols.:confused:

WHAT IDOLS!?!!!!!!!
I have never worshiped anything in my life except God and Jesus, I do admit I liked Elvis a little more than I should have when I was a teenager (lots of pictures), but I have never worship anyone but my Lord and Savior.

Why does my statement that Jesus is the head of the church, lead you to believe that I do, or would ever worship idols?

So you can Pray to the Father Directly. Why catholics Knell down the images of the saints. it against the christian doctrine. According to the bible Reveletion 19:10 "And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy feloow servan, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus:worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy". Even the angel of the Lord stop St John to kneel down in him. Kneeling down is part of worship. Now the catholics thay knell down in the images.
You said catholics made the christian doctrines, well it wrong. you must not established your own creeds. The bible is complete. your faith must be based on the bible. You said catholics are not worships images. My question for knelling is part of worship or not? I know someone will get angry. Peace!

Actually you have catholics and Orthodox confused her, Orthodox knell by icons more than catholics, catholics knee in prayer to God, not to any idols, And to be honest the more you post the more it is very obvoius you know nothing about the real teachings of the catholic church,

Which anti catholic hate group have you been getting your incorrect matterial from.

Not reading those "chick" publications are you.

How did we get to where we are now worshipping idols? Have we some how been transported to a third world country in the middle of the Pacific? In same ways, I wish!!

Mom of 2,

I guess you don't read some of that hate group things published about Catholics, some ( what I considered just hate groups) teach that Catholics and the Pope are really the anti christ, they teach that communion is killing Christ over and over again and wrong
That catholics worship mary and idols, that they don't teach salvation

Most of these same groups attack Mormoms and JW also. Most of it is so sad, they take a little bit of truth, but the bigger the lies they do, more some people want to believe it. Not a lot different than some of the KKK teachings of hate against Catholics in years past.

If you honestly have not read some of the hate teachings of these groups, goggle some, you will be shooked at the lies and hate some groups teach.

There are about 38,000 demoninations CLAIMING to be christian throughout the world and yet look at all the disharmony. That's a pretty WIDE and SPACIOUS looking path if you ask me! ;)
That's WHY GOD SAITH "Thus sauth the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the goo way, walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. " Jeremiah 6:16

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether thye are of God: because many false prophet are gone out into the world." I John 4:1

There are many False prophets, false religion in this time. Try them if they are true.

I believe that the original post was asking about the differences between Catholic and Christian. This has turned into a hate forum for the Catholic faith.

Again, believe what you want to believe. It seems that you are more intent on forcing people to be against Catholics than in answering the original question. I feel that you have a total separate agenda going on here. I don't think that I have in any way tried to convince anyone to hate any religious affiliation/denomination. If you feel that I have, that was not my intent. People will believe what they want to believe. It's not very Christian of someone to want to spread hatred among people.

Yes, I had to make a choice either to delte all the anti catholic hate speech from a coupld of posters or have it moved to a non christian forum, the religious discussion area.

Since it is obvoius that those posting the anti catholic hate are not christians most liekly merely those pushing their hate filled agenda.

But yes, most of those hate groups have no actual doctrine of their own or even purpose except to attack the faith of certain groups, I feel so sorry since they don't know the love that Jesus has for all of us.

To Donna I apologise for assuming you to be a "christian" who wears or reveres the cross or Jesus statues (idols/images). My statements were simply from the bible itself showing that TRUE First Century Christian stayed well away from the reverence of such things.

I also apologise for assuming this discussion was referring to the difference between Catholics and TRUE Christians. So in answer to the subject question, it seems there is not much difference at all. :o

No, there is not much difference between Catholocism and OTHER Christian religions. One Christian religion is not any better than another. It is more a matter of what an individual feels comfortable with. Being Catholic means that you are a Chrisitan. Being Lutheran means that you are Chrisitan. Being Methodist means that you are Christian. Being Baptist means that you are Christian, etc. etc. etc. Believing that Jesus Christ is our savior means that you are Christian, regardless what denomination that you follow. As there are numerous ways to love and lead your life, there are numerous ways to honor and worship The Lord. No way is more right than the other. The Bible has been interpreted over and over and one should take from it what they can from it to better their life, not to form hatred against anyone. It is all what you believe and what you feel comfortable with. God does not love one religion more than another. The fact that someone believes in a higher power and is committed to following a life of love, respect, forgiveness, compassion, authenticity, and virtue is what will make this world a better place. Hatred for anything is what ruins the world and makes this world a less desirable place to be.

It is noted that not all "Christian" faiths believe in veneration of objects, Trinity, Hell, that all go to heaven, not "walking in the name of the True God" (Mic 4:5) or even being involved in politics, as Jesus did not and even said that his followers were "no part of the world just as he was no part of the world." (John 17:16)
I don't see ths as how THEY view worship of God but how HE views worship. Not many religions seem to take notice of what God REALLY wants which is such a shame since He loves every one of us and yet many appear to think that ALL christians will be saved no matter what they do and believe, as long as it suits their own circumstances.
Psa 97:10 says that lovers of God are to HATE what is bad.
From what I have read on these posts I do not see any malicious, hateful comments, just reminders of what Jesus and his disciples practiced and taught in their day.
John 17:20,21 Jesus prayed to his father concerning his follwers that "they may all be one."
2 Cor 13:11 Paul encourages the Christians to "be in agreement with one another and live peaceably."
I don't thnk the christians back then were being encouraged to accept whatever an individual believed even if it differed from what they had ben taught.

Just an opinion :)

Pss - Approx 1/3 of the worlds population refer to themselves as christian. This is a large amount yes?

[QUOTE=Moparbyfar]To Donna I apologise for assuming you to be a "christian" who wears or reveres the cross or Jesus statues (idols/images). My statements were simply from the bible itself showing that TRUE First Century Christian stayed well away from the reverence of such things.

I wish you would read my posts #5 & #6, my beliefs come straight from the Bible. God's word is what I try to live my life by, not denominational religions.

Every Catholic is a Christian but not all Christians are Catholic

Itzzee - Bingo.

I was raised Catholic and became Protestant in my early 20's. I believe that you are and can still be Christian as a Catholic, because they acknowledge Jesus as God in the Flesh and this is biblical. BUT, we must also be born again so that our spirit is renewed to be able to be in a state to commune with God. The part I have problems with in the Catholic faith is the root of its leadership. It must be understood that Jesus is the head of the Church today, and NOT the pope. The Pope has to be forgiven, just like the rest of the population. "All fall short of the Glory of God". One interesting titbit of information I am reading about is How the Mighty Roman Empire might have survived all these years through the Roman Catholic Church. Think about it, How else could a political movement live on through the years. It would and could by hiding behind a religious movement. Could you imagine if this was in any way true? I think this would make sense as the world is setting up the stage for "end times". But understand, ultimately man's hearts are judged based on what they do with what they know. Ignorance is overlooked as long as we are not making a conscious effort refusing to grow in the direction God's will is leading us. Sin ultimately MUST be forgiven to be in God's presence. This can only be done through the forgiveness of sins given over to Jesus Christ. For it is by Grace that we are saved, not by works, so that no one can boast.