Catholicism vs. Christianity

[Jin19]

Hey everybody, I have some questions.
Well I've been a Christian for a good 3 years. It's been an amazing and wonderful 3 years may i add! Anyways, I use to be Catholic, but never a strong one. I've had many discussions with Catholics about Christianity. All of them believe it's the same thing. I tell them it's not. Am I wrong? The reason why i think there not the same is because I believe Christianity is a relationship with God. On the other hand in Catholicism you have to work your way up to God. Also, in Catholicism they pray to Saints. I thought that the only perfect person is God himself, so why pray to Saints who once were humans, are not perfect. Another thing is church itself. Compared to the Christian churches I'v been too, Catholic Churches are very strict and full of traditions (doing same prayers,wine,bread of God.etc) Please, Please correct me if I'm wrong with my views I'm just trying to understand. Also, if there are more differences between the two please let me know. Thank you for your time

Jin

 

[ischus]

hey

In my opinion, Jesus christ saves those who believe in Him. Some churches are like Corinth, some are more like Philippi. And there are a lot of others in between. We are all saved by grace, no matter what we think about ourselves or someone else.

blessings,

ischus

 

[Jin19]

True but I've talked to Catholics that have said that they have never accepted the eternal gift of God. I told them how i got saved and they said they had to take classes to get closer to God? Im confused......

 

[S Walch]

Classes to get closer to God? o_0

But I must agree with you, (I mean no disrespect when I say this) but catholocism seems to hold tradition as high as the Bible itself.

Now, there is practically no where in the bible where it says anything about praying to 'saints'

Infact, the Bible states that everyone who is a believer in Christ Jesus is a saint, not just some people that the RCC has decided to put "St." infront of their name.

Disscusing the 'praying to saints' with other catholics, they say they are praying to the saints to interceed for them, like when we ask one of our friends to pray for us.

Whilst I can see their reasoning, I don't think they should pray to the saints.

As prayer is an act of worship - praying to the 'saints' is therefore worshiping them.

Whilst you ask your friends to pray for you, you don't pray to them to ask them to pray for you - you don't ask them in worship.

Hence in there lies a problem.

 

[Tajemnica]

My parents are Catholics, I've attended Catholic Sunday school, and occasionally got to a Catholic church. Even though I've never actually *been* Catholic, I can tell you that you've got it wrong. Catholics don't pray *to* saints as much as they ask saints to pray with/for them (as I understand it), just as you might ask other people to pray for you. The church is also pretty "strict" in some respects, but that isn't unique. There are lots of rituals and traditions, but that doesn't mean that Catholics aren't Christian. I thought Protestantism actually broke off from Catholicism. So "Catholicism vs. Christianity" is like "Baptism vs. Christianity" or "Wicca vs. Paganism".

I'm sure a practicing Catholic will be along soon to go into more detail.

 

[Iron Lion]

yup so true. The catholic church has been around alot longer than todays modern church. If we didnt have the catholic church i think we would find the christian church very different and very jewish today. In fact it may not have even become a major religion.

We wouldnt have the trinity which was being debated for many years in the church and at wasnt even a concept for the first hundred years after jesus death. (infact the trinity was so debated in the church that it wasnt untill 325ad that the church ratifed the trinity creed after killing many people who werent in the catholic church who believed in god being only 1 personality) So theres a good chance we would still worship Jesus as the messiah but not as God. *waits for christians to yell at me*

The days we celebrate christmas and easter are thanks to the catholic church (these dates are incorect as many well know)

Alot of our prayers like the apostils creed and niceen creed would not exist.

We wouldnt have a bible with the books we have today. (these were decided by the catholic church)

As for praying to saints, its can be cleared up here http://www.catholic.com/library/Praying_to_the_Saints.asp

I find it funny how hostile most christians are to the catholic church when the main teneths of the christian faith came from the church and the bible its self.

 

[hiumble1]

I too was raised as a catholic, then when I was teen went on a teens encounter christ weekend, and everything changed. I felt the fire within, I felt new, all these things were rushing over me, but then went to the Catholic community and was in a way told to take it down a notch (not literally, but figuratively), that is when I got disheartened. when I went to church, something didn't feel right, didn't know why, and feel away.
it wasn't until much later that most of what Catholicism teaches does not make sense.
Purgatory
Patron Saints
Praying to Statues
The sacraments of Baptism, Penance, Communion, and Confirmation.

After Reading/research, it was explained to me that there is nothing you can do to add or take away your salvation (once saved) in Jesus.
By adding to (alms to get relatives out of purgatory) you are saying that what Jesus did was not enough.
By praying to statues, you are breaking the commandment about worshiping Idols,
By praying to saints to pray for you places them in a position of authority (a commandment breaker) you should pray to god period.

By having specific sacraments like Confirmation. you are saying that all will have the holy spirit come down on to them at that specific time. When it is more true that Holy spirit will come down when you are BORN AGAIN.

 

[Iron Lion]

You say you are raised catholic yet every catholic i know would say you are incorrect. Its just a matter of understanding these misconceptions. I took the time a while ago to learn about the catholic faith and was suprised about how much genral christians dont know and just assume cause of what they heard.

Ive added links to answers to your points because this post would be too big to cut and paste all of them. They come from www.catholic.com

After Reading/research, it was explained to me that there is nothing you can do to add or take away your salvation (once saved) in Jesus. .

this isnt a catholic thing. This is a genral christian debate. The problem is some verses say one thing and others say other things,

By adding to (alms to get relatives out of purgatory) you are saying that what Jesus did was not enough.

Heres a good explanation http://www.catholic.com/library/Purgatory.asp

By praying to statues, you are breaking the commandment about worshiping Idols,

again a good explanation http://www.catholic.com/library/Do_Catholics_Worship_Statues.asp

By praying to saints to pray for you places them in a position of authority (a commandment breaker) you should pray to god period.

http://www.catholic.com/library/Saint_Worship.asp

By having specific sacraments like Confirmation. you are saying that all will have the holy spirit come down on to them at that specific time. When it is more true that Holy spirit will come down when you are BORN AGAIN

http://www.catholic.com/library/Are_Catholics_Born_Again.asp

 

[Canadian75]

I'm just curious why this thread is in the "Non-Christian Religion" section. If you want answers to specific questions, post the questions in the Catholic section. I think Iron Lion did a good job in posting the links, and that should give you a good perspective of the Catholic viewpoint. I understand that some Christians do not consider Catholics as Christian, fortunately we do not feel the same way about non-Catholic Christians.

 

[InnerPhyre]

If you never had a relationship with Jesus Christ as a Catholic, you were never much of a Catholic. Also it is against the rules of this forum to slander a group of Christians by saying they aren't true Christians. Since I'm a nice guy, I'll stay away from the report button though. If you truly wish to discover the truth about the religion you never understood, I welcome you to come to OBOB, the Catholic forum. I look forward to helping you understand. Peace.


Mike

 

[Jin19]

I thank you for everyone's responces. This has helped me understand better with my views. Mike I didnt mean to come across bashing on catholicism. That wasent my intention I just had some questions. If i offended anyone I'm truly sorry! Although I've heard this saying before. Tell me what you guys think or if you've ever heard it...........Christianity is a relationship with god, not a religion. "Other religons" are man made, a way of working up to God Thanks

 

[JonD]

Well, being a Catholic, and having experienced some Protestantism, I'll share my views. I'm probably not as old as the rest of you folks, and haven't had much PRE, so just remember that!

I think most of the "non-Christian" practises of Catholisicm are because it was the first church and many people who converted to it were pagans. I think severals things, having saints, praying to statues (which we certainly don't do nowadays), were to comprimise with the pagan beliefs.

Purgatory is a very logical idea, if you ask me, but I still question its validity. I mean, if all you have to do is accept Jesus' salvation, you could do so and go on a killing spree and still go to heaven, right? Indeed, God loves you just the same, but would inevitably be...disappointed. Why live virtuously if there's no incentive?

I'm very sad that some people don't accept Catholisicm as Christianity. Go to any Catholic church and you'll see crucifixes, Bibles, etc. The core of Christianity is CHRIST, and Catholics worship Him just as Protestants. Denominations can be a pain sometimes. -_-

 

[Letalis]

Thanks to everyone that defended Catholicism from all this anti-Catholic nonsense. Now I will address some posts.​

Hey everybody, I have some questions.
Well I've been a Christian for a good 3 years. It's been an amazing and wonderful 3 years may i add! Anyways, I use to be Catholic, but never a strong one. I've had many discussions with Catholics about Christianity. All of them believe it's the same thing. I tell them it's not. Am I wrong?

Yes, you're wrong.

The reason why i think there not the same is because I believe Christianity is a relationship with God. On the other hand in Catholicism you have to work your way up to God.

We are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. We don't believe we have to "work our way up to God."

Also, in Catholicism they pray to Saints. I thought that the only perfect person is God himself, so why pray to Saints who once were humans, are not perfect.

We ask Saints in heaven to pray for us.

Another thing is church itself. Compared to the Christian churches I'v been too, Catholic Churches are very strict and full of traditions (doing same prayers,wine,bread of God.etc)

Jin

Last time I checked, having traditions wasn't a sin.

Classes to get closer to God? o_0

Catholicism doesn't teach that at all.

But I must agree with you, (I mean no disrespect when I say this) but catholocism seems to hold tradition as high as the Bible itself.

Oh, no! *rolls eyes*

Where, pray tell, in the Bible does it say it is the sole authority? It's a man made doctrine.

Infact, the Bible states that everyone who is a believer in Christ Jesus is a saint, not just some people that the RCC has decided to put "St." infront of their name.

Everyone in Heaven with God is a saint.

Disscusing the 'praying to saints' with other catholics, they say they are praying to the saints to interceed for them, like when we ask one of our friends to pray for us.

Whilst I can see their reasoning, I don't think they should pray to the saints.

We just told you we don't pray to saints, but here you said we do. How would you know what we do and don't do? Last time I checked, I was the Catholic, and you were the Protestant.

As prayer is an act of worship - praying to the 'saints' is therefore worshiping them.

Whilst you ask your friends to pray for you, you don't pray to them to ask them to pray for you - you don't ask them in worship.

Hence in there lies a problem.

Your logic is undeniable. *rolls eyes*

We don't pray to them to ask them to pray for us. We just ask them to pray for us.

I too was raised as a catholic, then when I was teen went on a teens encounter christ weekend, and everything changed. I felt the fire within, I felt new, all these things were rushing over me, but then went to the Catholic community and was in a way told to take it down a notch (not literally, but figuratively), that is when I got disheartened. when I went to church, something didn't feel right, didn't know why, and feel away.

You really shouldn't base anything on your feelings. Feelings are deceiving.

After Reading/research, it was explained to me that there is nothing you can do to add or take away your salvation (once saved) in Jesus.

Where's that in the Bible?

By adding to (alms to get relatives out of purgatory) you are saying that what Jesus did was not enough.

This is completely false. We don't believe that alms saves you from hell. We believe it can relieve time in Purgatory. Something COMPLETELY different. Purgatory is just a sort of cleansing place before heaven.

By praying to statues, you are breaking the commandment about worshiping Idols,

This is wrong. We don't pray to statues, nor do we worship them.

By praying to saints to pray for you places them in a position of authority (a commandment breaker) you should pray to god period.

We do not place them in a position of authority.

By having specific sacraments like Confirmation. you are saying that all will have the holy spirit come down on to them at that specific time. When it is more true that Holy spirit will come down when you are BORN AGAIN.

Seems like in Biblical times, people received the Holy Spirit when hands were placed on them and praying commenced over them.

 

[Jin19]

If catholicism is the same as Christianity why do people "convert" to christianity, like myself and alot of people i know, also heard stories from.
And dont say because i didnt know anything about catholicism or know enough, even if i didnt my own pastor was a strong catholic for 20 years then converted. Please help me with this question.Thanks! **remember im not bashing im just trying to find some answers.

 

[markie]

In the year 252, Cyprian, the bishop of Carthage, said that when those becoming Christians "receive also the baptism of the Church . . . then finally can they be fully sanctified and be the sons of God . . . since it is written, ‘Except a man be born again of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God’ [John 3:5]" (Letters 71[72]:1).
I take it Catholic's believe you're born again at the time of baptism, I disagree. I think the first time you are born you are born of water referring to the amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus. You obviously have to be born before you can be born again. When Jesus was baptized he was obeying the Mosaic law. Not that you shouldn't be baptized after you are saved but that's not what saves you.

 

[JonD]

If catholicism is the same as Christianity why do people "convert" to christianity, like myself and alot of people i know, also heard stories from.

Catholicism is a denomination of Christianity, just like Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian. Look in any dictionary/encyclopedia, etc. Like I said before, Catholics believe Christ was the Son of God, they worship him, they read the Bible, all key parts of Christianity. They may be a lot different than Baptists or Lutherans, or whatever, but our core beliefs are the same!

I think Confirmation is rougly equivalent in Protestant baptism. Confirmation is like saying that you truly believe in the teachings of the Church, etc. So, you could say that Confirmation is sorta like being "born again". Infant baptism (or in some cases the baptism recieved when entering the Church) is to take away the sins of your forefathers (I don't fully believe that you carry their sin, but that is what the Church teaches).

I think most Catholics are "saved" but they don't put quite as much emphasis on it. They don't up and say, "I accept the salvation of Jesus Christ." But if you ask a Catholic to name one important thing Jesus did, they would likely say, "He died for my sins." So, they get the idea, but don't perhaps find it as important as Protestants do.

<---Lol! Love that! *Murmurs* In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit

 

[Victrixa]

Catholicism is a denomination of Christianity, just like Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian. Look in any dictionary/encyclopedia, etc.

Wrong. The Catholic Church is not a denomination. The Catholic Church is the original Church established by Jesus Christ in 33 A.D. Denominations are split offs from the True Church.

Don't seek the Truth in dictionaries or encyclopedias. Seek it within the Church itself. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Church literature.

I think most Catholics are "saved" but they don't put quite as much emphasis on it.

Salvation is a process, as has been thaught for 2000 years.

Come on over to the congregation area of CF under One Bread One Body Catholic discussions for more details.

And thanks to all who have defended us Catholics.

 

[markie]

Somebody on one of these threads said they were a catholic but not associated with the Roman Catholics. Evidently there are two branches of Catholicism. http://www.fact-index.com/c/ca/catholicism.html

 

[Canadian75]

Somebody on one of these threads said they were a catholic but not associated with the Roman Catholics.

Catholic means "universal." Before the first split in 1054 between the east and west, there was only the Catholic church. Roman Catholic became a name to distinguish those under the Bishop of Rome (aka. the Pope) from those who weren't. Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Orthodox and most Lutherans consider themselves as catholic (ie. part of the universal church). Roman Catholic was a term that was brought into frequent use during and after the reformation. All churches that adhere to the Apostle's creed (like the above mentioned churches) believe themselves to be catholic (I believe...in the holy catholic church), but not necessarily "Roman" Catholic. We Roman Catholics usually just call ourselves Catholic.

 

[Victrixa]

Somebody on one of these threads said they were a catholic but not associated with the Roman Catholics. Evidently there are two branches of Catholicism.

There are no two branches of Catholicism. There is One, Holy and Apostolic Catholic Church. As Canadian75 mentioned, oftentimes Catholics are referred to as 'Roman' Catholics because they are in communion with the Holy See of Rome, under the Pope's authority. But "Catholic" can only refer to the Holy Catholic Church as it is the Church of Jesus Christ.