is a catholic the same thing as a christian?
956936
Many Christians DO NOT acknowledge that Catholicism is a division of Christianity but in fact it is. There once was a time when Catholics practiced the oneness of God.... later adding the trinity to its doctrine created a separation in the church. Out of that division came Protestant, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist,  Pentecostal, Apostolic, Seventh Day Adventist, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormon etc...All are Christian nonetheless. \n\nTo say, "I'm Christian" is a unbiased, unprejudiced title; or general and safe to say. \n\nHowever, to say, "I am Catholic" is like saying United Kingdom is NOT a part of Europe because they want to be different from the rest of Europe, and they think they are better than everybody else. They look like the oddball in the group (out-casted). \n\nChristianity has dissected into so many entities over the past  centuries, one would have to be a true religious scholar in order to define all the various types of Christianity.
1081791
I'm catholic, and I don't believe that there is only one answer for everything.\n\nAssuming you're speaking about Catholic dogma - not everything the church teaches is considered "dogma":  only those items which are utterly critical to our faith (one god, jesus is his son, etc.)\n\nwhen you get to the idea of (for example) salvation though good work vs. through faith, you're completely out of he realm of dogma, although it was one of the critical points in he early division of protestants vs. catholics.\n\nMost of the overlap between Protestants and R. Catholics is not dogma. \n\nAnd, there are other churches who are not protestant, but who aren't Roman Catholic either (specifially the Orthodox churches).
247230
Roman Catholicism is a denomination of Christianity.\n\nArguably, a religion *is* a way to come to God.
279335
Ever since Martin Luther split with the Roman Catholic church over the priactice of selling indulgences, there has been some level of rancor between Protestants and Roman Catholics, sometimes even leading to violent confrontations.  Protestants founded the US, and discrimination against Catholics existed in the US until early in the 20th Century.\n\nHowever, thanks to the promotion of a doctrine of ecumenism (religious equality) promoted by Pope John XXIII and Vatican II, and the growing realization among Protestants that Christians are simply followers of Christ (that's actually the original definition of the word), things have for the most part calmed down.  \n\nCatholics follow Christ as much as Protestants.  There are a large number of Protestant denominations, and I cannot speak for all of them, but in my experience as a Baptist pastor, and from what I have seen from most other Protestant churches, I would say the ansmwer is "Yes", Protestants do consider Catholics as fellow Christians.
990118
same ........ Catholic means christian..... Cathlocism was the basis for all religion and with all things that start out good, man eventually perverts it. I believe that Catholics and Christians all have some element of truth within their doctrine, but on the other hand each has their own faults. So I won't say which is better...yada yada yada\nThat's like trying to compare apples to oranges. As long as the person is a Born again believer they can differ on the fine points of religion.\n\n\nand AJ GET A LIFE!\n\nHave you heard of this? If so why do YOU sat it????\nThe Nicene Creed\nI believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.\n\nAnd in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.\n\nWho, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.\n\nAnd I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.\n\nAnd I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
634665
Catholicism is a sect of Christianity.  All Christians are the same in that they believe in Jesus as the Savior.  Catholics and other sects will have their own way of worshiping.  Catholics celebrate mass every Sunday where the most important part of the mass is the Liturgy of the Eucharist where we receive Holy Communion.  Here is another difference.  It is in the form of a small circle called a host, but we believe that the priest changes it into the real body (and the wine into blood) of Christ just as Jesus did at the last supper.  Other Christians may only receive Communion 1 time a month or on certain occasions ( I think Lutherans may recieve weekly).  Other Christians may also believe that the communion is only a representation of Jesus.  We also see the Pope as the head of the church.  Catholics believe in saints, but not all Christians do
614784
I am a Catholic.  Catholicism is the oldest Christian religion.  All other Christian religions came from Catholicism.  We do not worship statues and rosaries or even the Virgin Mary.  We worship God alone.  God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  3 persons in one God.  Just as 3 leaves make up one clover.  We ask Mary and other saints for intersession to Jesus.  It's no different than you asking someone to pray for you before a test or surgery.  We venerate certain statues or crucifixes.  This is not worship.  It is a sign of respect to the actual person or act that is being depicted.  Please do not think we worship anyone other than God Almighty Himself.
277622
To be considered a "Christian", there are certain fundamental beliefs to which we need to adhere.  Every Christian believes in the Blessed Trinity (One God in Three Divine Persons); that Jesus Christ is true God and true Man (that He is God in the flesh); and that salvation is obtained through the Mystery of Christ's Death on the Cross.  \n\nBut there are many other beliefs that are also very important to Christianity.  Not all of them are in the Bible explicitly.  Our Lord Jesus Christ did not found a book but a Church.  We, as Catholics, believe that the Catholic Church was the Church which He founded and to which He gave His very own authority (for example, the authority to forgive sins).  Such things, God alone can do, but if He wants to share His authority with the Church which He founded, then who are we to go against Him?  This is why Catholics love the Church and listen to the Church as if they were listening to Christ Himself.  He speaks through His Church.\n\nBut this is something that non-Catholics have a hard time understanding.  The best you can do, I think, is to show them that Jesus wanted to continue His Mission here on earth (the salvation of souls), and that that is why He founded His Church.  That is why we Catholics love the Church as we love Christ Himself.  \n\nI hope this helps, and may God bless you!
262966
A Christian is someone who has asked Jesus Christ to come into their life & save them from their sinful lifestyle. That person accepts the bible as God's given Word, as inpired by the Holy Spirit. A true Christian tries to follow the laws of God to the best of their ability. They do not pick/choose which laws & rules they will obey. Jesus says (through the Bible) that "if you love me, you will obey what I command" (Jn 14:15). Christianity is also a relationship with God. That means that you communicate both ways. You pray to God & you listen to His word through reading the Bible, going to Church, Christian books/music, and communion with other Christians. The difference between Christianity & every other religious belief is that we don't have to "DO" anything to earn our way to Heaven. Religion is man's attempt to be good enough for God, Christianity is God's attempt to reach man & He did so by sending His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, who lived a perfect life and died for our sins on the cross. His blood washes away all of our sins because he was the perfect man/God. He was the ultimate & perfect sacrifice, & I thank God every day for His mercy.
1051410
Christianity is a religion.  What you listed are denominations within "Christianity".
981171
No. Just because someone was raised with the moral teachings of Christianity doesn't mean they are Christian. Being a Christian means being born again, a choice one has to make to be.
198558
First, I am a fellow Roman Catholic.  I am also a Knight of Columbus, which should tell you my devotion to the Catholic faith.  Now, to the question:\n\nHave you ever hear the logic example that says, every square is a rectangle, but not every rectangle is a square?  The same applies.  Every Catholic is a Christian, but not every Christian (those whose religions refer to themselves as it, anyway) is a Catholic.  The difference here is Protestantism.  Protestants (Lutherans, Methodists, Pentecostals, Baptists, etc.) all call themselves Christians, but would be lothe to be referred to as Catholics.  Here are the main differences:\n\n1) Catholics believe that St. Peter was the first Pope, and the line of Popes runs from him down to our current pontiff, Benedict XVI.  Protestants do not recognize the authority of the Pope.\n\n2) Catholics believe in 7 sacraments, which are Baptism, Penance, Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders (priesthood), and Annointing of the Sick (aka Last Rights).  Different protestant religions take out different sacraments, depending on how they were founded.  Martin Luther did not fully believe the Eucharist became the Body of Christ, so they do not fully consider it a sacrament.  Baptists only celebrate 2, baptism and confirmation.  They do not consider marriage to be sacramental.  This is one of the big disputes...Catholics believe marriage is a sacrament, so divorce is not possible.  Annulment, if you have heard of it, simply states that the sacrament never happened...it does not break a sacrament.  NOTHING can break a sacrament.\n\n3) As you mentioned, Catholics believe in the intercession of Saints.  That means that you can ask different Saints to pray to God for you, and God can allow them to help you do different things.  Jesus, during His transfiguration, spoke with Moses and Elijha, proving that Saints are very real.  Revelations talks about God hearing the prayers of Saints.  Protestants generally do not believe in Saints, even going so far as to say you are evil for praying for their help.\n\n4) Catholics actually have a more books in their Holy Bible than protestants do.  Luther decided, and others helped over the years, that certain books just did not belong in the Bible.  So, they got rid of books like "Wisdom of Solomon," "Baruch," both books of Maccabees (which reference Purgutory), "Sirach", etc.\n\n5) Catholics (Roman Catholics, anyway) have celibate priests and nuns.  Other faiths can have their preachers and sisters get married.\n\n6) The biggest difference:  Lutheranism was founded by Martin Luther.  The Methodists were founded by John Wesley.  Baptists trace their church to John Smyth in 1609.  Catholics, my friend, were founded upon a command by Jesus, the Christ, to Peter, His Apostle (read Matthew 16:18).  Other religions may revere Christ and speak of the Apostles.  The Catholic faith was made by Christ's command, to the Apostles.\n\nI hope this helps.  Do not be fooled by those who tell you that salvation is found anywhere.  Be sure you get the original, untainted source.
990184
Some are good; some are bad; most are in-between.  Same as all the non-Catholics.  What's your point?
607017
Catholics are Christians through and through--in the very fullest sense.  \n\nPeople like to give (and make up) all kinds of reasons why Catholics are not Christians, but the one thing that truly sets Catholics apart most is the Eucharist.  Together with members of the Orthodox Church (the Catholic Church's "Sister" Church), Catholics are the only people who receive the Real Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Lord Jesus.  You don't get any more Christian than that!\n\nReceiving the Eucharist literally transforms us spiritually into true sons and daughters of God.  That was the entire purpose of Jesus's Incarnation--He died so that we could be true children of God again.\n\nThat said, in order to receive the Eucharist, we must be in a state of grace (proper disposition, no mortal sins on our souls).  Unlike many Protestants, who think their salvation is guaranteed just by saying they believe in Jesus (regardless of their sins), Catholics care a great deal about making ourselves as worthy as possible, and we often go to great lengths.  This is because we know we are truly, completely, receiving Lord Jesus into ourselves through the Eucharist.  You wouldn't want to invite a guest into a messy house--we *definitely* don't want to do that to Lord Jesus!\n\nIt's no surprise that lots of Christians don't understand Catholicism--there is so much to learn, and not everyone likes to learn.  But no argument against Catholicism can stand up to Scripture or any other element of Sacred Tradition.  After all, the Bible is a Catholic Book (despite some Protestants thinking that the King James Version just fell out of the sky one day).  Protestants claim that Catholic Sacred Tradition "adds" to the Bible, but the fact is that the Bible IS Catholic Sacred Tradition.  \n\nFinally, I'd like to address Catholics' veneration of Mary--which Protestants claim to mean that we worship Mary (and therefore, we are not Christians).  Veneration does not mean worship--it means honor.  As a good Jewish man, Jesus honored His parents (both Mary and St. Joseph).  Before His death, Jesus told St. John to regard Mary as his mother--which meant that Jesus was asking St. John to honor her as well.  So... who are we not to honor her?  Are we above Jesus and St. John?  Venerating Mary is one more way in which Catholics show obedience to Lord Jesus.  It should also be noted that at least some of the earliest Protestants (such as Luther) also venerated Mary and believed in her perpetual virginity.
563929
I am a Roman Catholic and what makes me feel that my religion is a True one is that we Christians belong to a REVEALED RELIGION. i.e. God becomes Man, Dies for the whole human race, reconciles us back to our Father in Heaven and then Glorifies his name by rising from the dead.
525398
No, being Catholic is nothing like being Wiccan.\n\nThe Wicca you describe is polytheistic. It worships many gods, none of whom is the creator of all things. These gods may or may not care about humans and may change their minds at any time. Norse and Greek mythology is full of this behavior.\n\nCatholicism is monotheistic. It worships one almighty God, who created all things visible and invisible. God is constant in loving us as we are and only wanting the best for us.\n\nCatholicism does not worship saints. Catholics and most Christians believe in the Communion of Saints where all saints are intimately related to each other 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, and Mother Teresa of Calcutta.\n\nAs part of this family, you may ask your family and friends here on earth to pray to God for you. Or you may also ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Andrew, or your deceased grandmother in heaven to pray to God for you. \n\nThere are many other reasons why Catholicism and Wicca are very different.\n\nWith love in Christ.
949444
Christian is someone who has faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior of mankind