What's the difference between a Catholic and a Christian?
366701
not all Christians are Catholic.  some are Baptist, Pentecost, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, undecided, New Age, etc.  You get the idea.  All Catholics should be Christian.  \n\nThat's like the statement, all salmon are fish, but not all fish are salmon.  All Catholics should be Christian, but not all Christians are Catholic.\n\nI'm Catholic and Christian.
949444
Christian is someone who has faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior of mankind
333221
As people have said, Catholicism is just a specific type of Christianity.  As for the cross bit, many Protestants use crosses as opposed to crucifixes (the cross with Jesus on it) because of the commandment that says you shouldn't make any graven images.  Catholics interpret this to mean you shouldn't worship any graven images and use the crucifix to help focus their thoughts during prayer or worship.  Some other points based on the differences between Catholics and Protestants (most Christians who aren't Catholic are Protestant):\n\n 1. Saints.  Catholics will pray to saints, asking them to intercede on their behalf.  Protestants don't do this, and don't really have saints.  I believe one reason is they sometimes think of this as worship, naturally forbidden.  Also, Catholics believe Mary was born without sin (the "immaculate conception").  Protestants do not.\n 2.  Structure.  Catholicism has a hierarchical structure with the pope at the top, then cardinals, bishops, priests, deacons, other religious, and laypeople.  This is not to say Catholics follow the pope mindlessly or above God, just that he acts as a father and a guide for the Church.  Protestants do not have this structure, but rely on small self-governing communities.\n 3.  The Eucharist.  Catholics say that the Eucharist is the essence of Christ, present with them.  They worship Christ in and through the Eucharist.  Protestants (generally) think the Eucharist is bread, symbolic of Christ, but not actually Christ.\n 4. Salvation.  Generally, Protestants believe that salvation can only come from accepting Christ as your savior.  Essentially, no matter how good a person is on their own, because they're not perfect, they wouldn't be able to make it to heaven if it weren't for Chirst's sacrifice.    Catholics believe this is true, but that you also have to 'walk the walk, not just talk the talk.'  Salvation is based on the acceptance of Christ as savior combined with good works.
395481
catholicism is one of the two major branches of christianity, the other being protestantism. protestantism was founded by martin luther in the 15th century as a rebellion against what he perceived as the corruption of the then-current christian church. he wanted christianity to focus more upon the teachings of the bible rather than those that the church had built upon them. this was called the reformation. the church responded to this with the counter-reformation, which gave rise to catholicism.\n\nthe current differences are that the catholics have a far greater canon than protestantism, for instance they believe in the power of the saints, the authority of the pope, and the divinity of mother mary, none of which is written in the bible. the pope is the highest authority for theological questions. the protestants, on the other hand, tend to keep their canon far simpler, and consider the bible to be the highest authority, and that it should be interpreted individually by each person. they also tend to view religion as more of an individual, personal affair -- a personal relationship with god, while for the catholics it is more of a structured, community affair.
946843
Other people dont understand the question. Its more like this....\n"Whats the difference between Catholics and (Protestant) Christians?"\n\nCatholics pray to Mary and the Saints even though Jesus said the only way to the Father is through Him. (Catholics also use priests as a link between God and man, therefor replacing Jesus' role.)\n\nCatholics think that the bread and wine is the literal body and blood of Jesus Christ being sacrificed over and over again every week even though Jesus died ONCE so that all sins would be forgiven.\n\nCatholics have statues of Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and the saints despite the second commandment saying that we shall not have any image of that which is in heaven or on earth.\n\nCatholics deal with the last problem by leaving out that commandment and splitting the last one (thou shalt not covet) into two parts...thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife and thou shalt not covet thy neighbors possessions.\n\nCatholics have added books to the Bible that were viewed as erroneous for hundreds of years.\n\nThere are more but those are a few.\n\nProtestants are called Protestants because they are protesting the errors of the Catholic Church.\n\njudge by ur self
665028
Roman Catholics are a part of the larger Christian Family.  No difference.\n\nCatholics are a part of Christianity that places its hierarchical values in priests, bishops, cardinals etc all the way to the Pope who resides in Rome, hence Roman Catholics.  Catholicsm also has its precepts and rules which may contradict or be slightly different from the rest of the Christian populos like the Lutherans, Methodists, Seventh Day Adventists etc.\n\nYour question should rather be, what is the difference between a Protestant Church & Catholic Church
1143342
Catholics are Christians....  \n\nChristianity is a major world religion developed in the first century AD based on the belief that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah or Christ of Israel. Followers, called Christians, were initially viewed as a sect of Judaism. It quickly developed as a separate religion as Jewish Christians became outnumbered by non-Jewish converts and, through a strong missionary emphasis, Christianity became a diverse worldwide movement. \n\nTheir scripture is the Bible, which contains the Jewish Scriptures (Old Testament) and the Christian Scriptures (New Testament). Except for cults, aberrant sects, and Liberal Christianity, those who claim to be Christians have historically believed the following: There is only one true God eternally revealed in three distinct Persons - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the Trinity). \n\nHuman beings are sinners who (without the grace of God received through faith in Christ) are eternally lost. Jesus, who is God in the flesh, died on the cross and rose physically from the dead as the sole and sufficient payment for the sins of humanity.\n\nAs a whole, however, the differences between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism are still seen most clearly in the issues of the Reformation. The 16th century reformers distinguished themselves from Catholicism in two key ways. \n\nFirst, they saw the Bible as the sole foundation for authority (sola scriptura) rather than the Pope, church dogma or tradition. \n\nSecond, the reformers taught salvation by “grace alone” (sola gracia). They also insisted that sola gracia could be faithfully maintained only by understanding the gospel to be the message of a free pardon and righteous standing with God through “faith alone” (sola fide) in the imputed righteousness of Christ. \n\nThe Roman Catholic Church claimed (and still claims) to affirm sola gracia, but anathematized sola fide, teaching instead that grace is received and maintained by a combination of faith plus works (religious rites, sacraments, or human endeavor). \n\n\nChris·tian    (krschn)\n\nADJECTIVE: \n\nProfessing belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus. \nRelating to or derived from Jesus or Jesus's teachings. \nManifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christlike. \nRelating to or characteristic of Christianity or its adherents. \nShowing a loving concern for others; humane. \n\nNOUN: \n\nOne who professes belief in Jesus as Christ or follows the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus. \nOne who lives according to the teachings of Jesus. \n\n\nChristian Denominations and Sects\n\nAfrican Methodist Episcopal \nAfrican Methodist Episcopal Zion \nAfrican Orthodox Church \nAmerican Baptist Churches USA \nAmish \nAnabaptist \nAnglican Catholic Church  \nAntiochian Orthodox  \nArmenian Evangelical Church \nArmenian Orthodox  \nAssemblies of God \nAssociated Gospel Churches of Canada  \nAssociation of Vineyard Churches \nBaptist \nBaptist Bible Fellowship \nBranch Davidian \nBrethren in Christ \nBruderhof Communities \nByzantine Catholic Church  \nCalvary Chapel \nCalvinist \nCatholic \nCell Church \nCeltic Orthodox  \nCharismatic Episcopal Church \nChristadelphian \nChristian and Missionary Alliance \nChristian Churches of God \nChristian Identity \nChristian Reformed Church \nChristian Science \nChurch of God \nChurch of God \nChurch of God \nChurch of God in Christ \nChurch of God of Prophecy \nChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints \nChurch of Scotland  \nChurch of South India \nChurch of the Brethren \nChurch of the Lutheran Brethren of America \nChurch of the Nazarene \nChurch of the New Jerusalem \nChurch of the United Brethren in Christ \nChurch Universal and Triumphant \nChurches of Christ \nChurches of God General Conference \nCongregational Christian Churches \nCoptic Orthodox  \nCumberland Presbyterian Church \nDisciples of Christ \nEpiscopal  \nEthiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Churc
676144
Catholics are christians.
181495
There are alot of confused people in this world. Catholicism IS a Christian denomination, just as Protestant, Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, etc. are.
362844
Christians are people that believe in and worship God the Father and his son Jesus Christ. \n\nI look at this way, if you want to call yourself a Christian go right ahead my friend, that is your right. Call yourself whatever it is you want to call yourself. :)
345303
Catholicism and Biblical Christianity are divergent religions. They are built on different foundations, and they propose different ways of salvation.\n\nIn principle, Christianity is built solely on the Holy Scriptures, the written Word of God. The Bible is our only infallible rule of faith, being sufficient to give us the sure knowledge of the Gospel for our salvation and holiness.\n\nRoman Catholicism demands submission of the intellect and will to the doctrines taught by the Roman magisterium (the Pope and bishops). It is claimed that the Catholic Church derives its doctrines from the "sacred deposit" found in Scriptures and Sacred Tradition. However the faithful cannot verify these doctrines by referring to the original sources. The Scriptures are inaccessible because only the magisterium is able to establish the authentic meaning. Similarly the contents of Sacred Tradition can only be known through the magisterium. Roman Catholicism is mental and spiritual slavery to the Vatican.\n\nAs expected, since the foundations are different, so also are the edifices built upon them. Christianity stands on the Gospel of God's sovereign grace. In love, God predestines His chosen ones to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ, their sole mediator. The Son became man and gave His life as a ransom to secure their freedom from sin. Being dead in sin, they are completely unable to convert ourselves or merit God's favour. Therefore God graciously grants His people repentance and faith to turn to Him and trust in Christ Jesus for salvation. Believers are accepted in Christ, solely on the merit of His righteousness and blood, and not because of any goodness or human merit. God also resides in His people by the Holy Spirit, enabling them to obey and glorify the Father, and to guarantee their inheritance in heaven forever.\n\nRome's "gospel" is not good news at all. The Roman institution, calling itself "The Church", usurps Christ's mediatorial office, proclaiming herself as the "sacrament of salvation." The "Church" dispenses salvation to her faithful in small portions, starting at baptism and continuing throughout life. Forgiveness can only be obtained through the sacrament of penance. The benefits of Christ's sacrifice are accessible through the sacrifice of the Mass. Instead of teaching the faithful to rest in Christ by faith, Catholics are taught to perform religious works to "merit grace" and to do penance to make satisfaction. Even after death, Catholics remains dependent on the "Church" to relieve their suffering in Purgatory by masses and indulgences.\n\nThe Roman Catholic Church is a mighty obstacle to anyone seeking salvation, enslaving millions of people to a religious system and preventing them from coming directly to Christ.\n\nThe choice is between the Bible and the Roman magisterium; the choice is between salvation by grace through faith in Christ, or through human merit and effort in the Roman religion.
52197
The main difference between christians and muslims is idol worshipping, though most of the christians say that it is forbidden but yet many follow. The second is christians accept Jesus as their God but we muslims accept Jesus as the messenger of Allah or a prophet sent by Allah before prophet Muhammad.
1078928
Catholics follow the teachings of popes and concels and Christians follow the teachings of the Bible.
987011
Guardian Angel, what the hell are you talking about?  Catholics are Christians.  By definition Chrsitian is a follower of Christ.  DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
739872
I never said Catholics aren't Christian, i said Roman Catholicism is not christian.\n\nhere's why: the "Pope" means "father", priests are called "father"\nJesus said "call no man father"\n\nThe bible says over and over and over "you shall have no graven images before me". Yet that church has idols EVERYWHERE.\n\nThe bible says to pray to God, that church says pray to saints.\n\nI could go on and on, but the point is, if you confess Jesus as Lord, and believe God raised him from the dead, you are a christian (romans 10:9)\n\nIf you forbid your priests to marry and command people to abstain from certain foods, your are preaching "doctrines of demons" (1st Timothy 4:1-3)\n\npeace\n\nEDIT: I forgot a biggie - that church teaches the Pope is the head of the body of believers - the bible says Jesus is the head of the church\n\nEDIT2: Nice language in your question by the way. I don't think you are gullible idiots, I think most of you were raised Catholic, and the fear of being excommunicated (another UNbiblical term) keeps some of you from leaving or even questioning. is it bigoted to say, "Your church does not teach what I believe is the truth about my religion, therefore it is not my religion?" No way.\n\nI will ask this: how can you support a church that allowed, even covered up the pedophile priest scandal? How can you support a church that sanctioned the crusades and the Inquisition? I like Catholics, and I think most of them ARE Christians, it's their church leadership and doctrine that I have a problem with.\n\nYOU asked the question, are you interested in my answer? By the thumbs down I have gotten, I think not.
1181157
Christianity is about following Jesus and choosing to walk in his way. Truth be known, much of what claims to be "Christianity" is not compatible with Jesus. An irony, it there ever was one. \n\nAs to the difference between Christianity & Islam? Jesus.
308824
As a Christian I don't hate either one. \n\nThanks for judging me though.