I could never understand the major differences between Catholic and Protestant churches. Don't we all believe that Jesus is our Lord and Savior? I know in many Protestant churches, women have more say in the church and can even become ministers and the priests can marry and raise families.

I'm a Catholic and I just don't agree with certain stuff in the Catholic Church, like barring women from the preisthood and allowing priests to marry, (plus that whole sex abuse scandal) but I know my parents would freak out if I considered switching to a Protestant church, even though I am over 21 and technically allowed to make my own decisions.

I could never understand the major differences between Catholic and Protestant churches. Don't we all believe that Jesus is our Lord and Savior? I know in many Protestant churches, women have more say in the church and can even become ministers and the priests can marry and raise families.

I'm a Catholic and I just don't agree with certain stuff in the Catholic Church, like barring women from the preisthood and allowing priests to marry, (plus that whole sex abuse scandal) but I know my parents would freak out if I considered switching to a Protestant church, even though I am over 21 and technically allowed to make my own decisions.
You pretty much answered your own question in your post. Some people didn't like the way the Catholic church did some things, so they protested(hence the term - Protestant), breaking off and forming their own churches so they could do the things the way they wanted.
The Catholic church likes to do things in the traditional manner as they always have, and I for one am kind of glad that they don't change on a whim just to appease some people who think religion should be more "progressive" and "hip".

But really, I don't know if your parents would freak out as much as you think they would were you to change churches. I mean, you could be quitting religion altogether and doing far worse things, right?.

Well, Catholics and Protestants have very different rules. Protestants have very sober churches and forbid worshipping statues or relics, like they do in Catholic churches.

Protestants are known to be more severe on these rules and regulations. Catholics are known to be more 'free', especially when it comes to the Bible. Catholics tend to say the Bible is open for more ways of interpretation, as opposed to Protestants. Anyway, that's the way it is over here.

And of course there's the Pope! :crazy:

Sterling had it right though. :)

One thing that I don't understand about this whole issue of Protestantism vs. Catholicism is why the term "Protestant" is used much more synonymously with "Christian" than the term "Catholic" is. To illustrate this point, I'll give you these examples that I've often observed and experieced:

If you ask someone who attends a Roman Catholic church which religion they follow, they will likely reply: "I'm a Catholic", as opposed to "I'm a Christian."

But if you ask someone who attends a Protestant church what religion they follow, they will likely reply: "I'm a Christian" or perhaps more specificially, "I'm a Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, Anglican, Presbyterian, etc. -Christian." But it is very unlikely they will reply "I'm a Protestant."

Therefore, if Protestants tend to use the word "Christian" to describe the branch they follow, as opposed to Catholics who are more specific by saying that they are Catholic.

According to the many encyclopedia articles that I've read, there are three main branches of the Christianity religion:

1. Roman Catholicism
2. Protestantism
3. Eastern Orthodox

I'm sure if you introduce the Orthodox branch, you will get a completely new set of debates. But one thing I've noticed is that of the three branches, those who follow Protestantism are more likely to insist that they are the only true Christians. In other words, it seems like Protestants criticize Catholics more than Catholics criticize Protestants. From the time Protestantism was first introduced during the Reformation in the 1500's, there have been massive wars in Europe that have erupted all because of the issue of Protestantism vs. Catholics. I've asked many Protestants whether they consider Catholics as Christians, and all of them replied NO.

Ugh...this is why I just believe in God and not in church. We'd have had far less wars if religions just got along.

Protestants believe in Consubstantiation while Catholics believe in Transubstantiation. This means that while Catholics view the communion wine and bread as the actual blood and body of Christ, Protestants see it as merely symbolic.

Protestants believe in the "priesthood of all believers" which means that all are equal before God and religious leaders are not held to any higher level.

Protestants put a greater emphasis on the Bible.

Catholics put a greater emphasis on the role of Mary.

IMO Catholics do things a lot stricter. I am not catholic, but I know some people that are. Catholics believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah right? I heard that they worship Mary though. Is that true?

Ok, here is the difference. As a Lutheran we were taught (and I firmly believe as taught in the Gospels) (look it up!) that we are saved by faith not by works. That is taught so clearly in the New Testament.The Catholic church (and many Protestant religions) still preach that what YOU do can save you. The Bible states clearly that we are totally dependent on Jesus and not ourselves.If we rely on ourselves to save ourselves then Christ suffered and died for nothing.. Ok, Protestants, refute that one! Our works are as filthy rags compared to
Jesus 'perfect rightousness. That is what I rely on. That is the difference between the two. If we had to rely on ourselves we would be in BIG trouble.

One thing that I don't understand about this whole issue of Protestantism vs. Catholicism is why the term "Protestant" is used much more synonymously with "Christian" than the term "Catholic" is. To illustrate this point, I'll give you these examples that I've often observed and experieced:

If you ask someone who attends a Roman Catholic church which religion they follow, they will likely reply: "I'm a Catholic", as opposed to "I'm a Christian."

But if you ask someone who attends a Protestant church what religion they follow, they will likely reply: "I'm a Christian" or perhaps more specificially, "I'm a Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, Anglican, Presbyterian, etc. -Christian." But it is very unlikely they will reply "I'm a Protestant."

Therefore, if Protestants tend to use the word "Christian" to describe the branch they follow, as opposed to Catholics who are more specific by saying that they are Catholic.

According to the many encyclopedia articles that I've read, there are three main branches of the Christianity religion:

1. Roman Catholicism
2. Protestantism
3. Eastern Orthodox

I'm sure if you introduce the Orthodox branch, you will get a completely new set of debates. But one thing I've noticed is that of the three branches, those who follow Protestantism are more likely to insist that they are the only true Christians. In other words, it seems like Protestants criticize Catholics more than Catholics criticize Protestants. From the time Protestantism was first introduced during the Reformation in the 1500's, there have been massive wars in Europe that have erupted all because of the issue of Protestantism vs. Catholics. I've asked many Protestants whether they consider Catholics as Christians, and all of them replied NO.

Mormonism is considered a fourth branch of Christianity, although they differ from other Christians in believing that God was the first-born man, Christ was materially as well as spiritually resurrected, and that he preached to two lost tribes of Israel after they came to the Americas and settled here. The Nephites are regarded as the only people who kept the true Christian church alive until their destruction by the Lamanites, the Israelite tribe that lost their faith and degnerated into barbarism; Mormons believe that they are the ancestors of the American Indians, who will redeem their ancestors once they're converted to the true, restored Church of Jesus Christ. The last two Nephites, Mormon and Moroni, left a record of the Nephites on golden plates that were to be discovered by a prophet who would restore the true church of Jesus Christ in latter days. That prophet was Joseph Smith, who founded the Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1830, and who is like St. Peter to the Mormon faith; just as the Pope is a direct successor to Peter, the living prophet and Mormon church president is a direct successor to Smith. The golden plates were the lost testament of Jesus delivered to the Nephites - the Book of Mormon.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is so called because it is beleived by Mormons to be the only true church of Jesus Christ; "latter-day" usedto refer to "last days," but now commonly refers to present days. "Saints" are followers of Jesus; in the early days of Christianity, anyone who followed Jesus was called a saint before the church of Rome redefined the word. Jesus's earliest followers were thus "former-day Saints."

The Orthodox churches are more into icons and nationalistic interpretations of the Gospel. The split between the Church of Rome and the Churches of the East were largely cultural, between the practices of the Western (Roman) peoples of Europe and the Eastern (Slavo-Hellenic) peoples.

Poland is unique in that they are Slavic but follow Roman, Western tradition. Enough Slavic fatalism has worked its way to Polish Catholicism to make it different from mainstream Catholicism.

Also Lutherans have just 2 sacraments: communion and baptism. Where as Catholics have more, I want to say 7. Also aren't Catholics the only Christian church that pray to saints? To me that is like worshiping idols, you are suppose to pray to God and God alone.

There are SO may ranches in Protestantism. I guess that's why they never say they're Protestant, but *whatever branch they're in*.

There are SO may ranches in Protestantism. I guess that's why they never say they're Protestant, but *whatever branch they're in*.

Yes, there are many subdivisions within Protestantism. They are known as denominations. I wonder if there has been any tension among various denominations. Then there are non-denominational Protestant churches. The large megachurches are often non-denominational.

Mormonism is considered a fourth branch of Christianity

There are at least four other groups that may be considered branches of Christianity, although obviously it is much debated. Starting with the one you already mentioned:

1. Mormon Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
2. Jehovah's Witnesses (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society).
3. Christian Science (The First Church of Christ, Scientist).
4. Seventh-Day Adventist.

I once asked a Pastor whether these four groups could be considered denominations of Christianity. He replied: "No, those are cults!"

A Mormon ward wanted to use an interfaith chapel in Vail, Colorado, for services but the nine Christian denominations and Jewish congregation who used it voted against the idea seven to three.

"This is an interfaith chapel, not an intercult chapel," the minister of the Baptist group told the press. :eek:

I've always thought it was stupid that women can't be Catholic priests and that priests and nuns in the Catholic Church can't be married. I haven't memorized the Bible cover to cover, but I don't remember ever seeing anywhere that a priest had to be a single, celibate male.

I also don't bother praying to the saints or to Mary, even though I was brought up a Catholic. They're great people but I think Jesus is the only way to go.

I also agree with whoever said that we're saved through faith in God, not just by what we do. Although being a good person sure helps :)

I was raised Catholic and have had problems w the Catholic church for sometime. Many of them the same as were brought up earlier in this thread. I believe in God and Jesus as my Savior, I read the Bible, and I try to do and be the best can, but I know that I am a sinner bc I am human.

There are at least four other groups that may be considered branches of Christianity, although obviously it is much debated. Starting with the one you already mentioned:

1. Mormon Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
2. Jehovah's Witnesses (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society).
3. Christian Science (The First Church of Christ, Scientist).
4. Seventh-Day Adventist.

I once asked a Pastor whether these four groups could be considered denominations of Christianity. He replied: "No, those are cults!"I remember 25 years ago I got into that whole sort of classification of "different" sects like those. It was a kind of an ego trip about who wasn't the "right" kind of Christian. I was a new Christian at the time, and it was a common tendency to feel superior to those were not like you. The definition of a cult according to many is:

1. An insistence on excessive performance and good works to be a good believer in the faith;
2. Extra-biblical revelations or scriptures;
3. Belief that the sect is infallible, the "true religion" and that all other faiths and denominations are wrong and "apostate" or having fallen away from the true faith;
4. Allegiance to a central human figure who represents God or God's sole voice of authority;
5. Instilling the fear of being "disfellowshipped" if a member "goes astray" or questions the above authority;
6. A twisting of Biblical or doctrinal orthodoxy that other established denominations follow as proper Christian belief.

I'm a Protestant (Southern Baptist, to be more exact), but to really answer you're question about the different between being a protestant and a catholic, you'd really have to narrow it down into a certain protestant denomination. The denominations in Protestant churchs are pretty diverse and wide-ranging. I mean, Church of Christ protestants and Church of God protestants are very very different, but are both still considered "protestants."

I know growing up Catholic we were taught that the bread and wine were really the body and blood of Jesus. Where the Protestants believe it is a symbol of Jesus.

The Orthodox churches are more into icons and nationalistic interpretations of the Gospel. The split between the Church of Rome and the Churches of the East were largely cultural, between the practices of the Western (Roman) peoples of Europe and the Eastern (Slavo-Hellenic) peoples.

Poland is unique in that they are Slavic but follow Roman, Western tradition. Enough Slavic fatalism has worked its way to Polish Catholicism to make it different from mainstream Catholicism.

It's not just Poland. The Slavs are divided in half. Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Croatia are all Catholic, while Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Serbia, Macedonia, and Bulgaria are Orthodox. The Eastern half also uses the Cyrillic alphabet while the western half uses the Latinic. Serbian uses both. And to add even more to the pot, Bosnia is divided in three. Bosnian Croats are Catholic, Bosnian Serbs are Orthodox, and Bosniaks are Muslim. :crazy:

protestantism is the roxors.

Im Catholic! YAY!

In a typical Protestant church, the Bible is usually readily available in front of you. You can use it to follow along during the scripture readings. But in a Catholic church, there may be several hymnals on the bench in front of you, but no Bibles. Why is this? What do Catholics have against reading the Bible? Do they go by the very traditional belief that only those in the clergy should read and study the Bible?

One thing that I don't understand about this whole issue of Protestantism vs. Catholicism is why the term "Protestant" is used much more synonymously with "Christian" than the term "Catholic" is. To illustrate this point, I'll give you these examples that I've often observed and experieced:

If you ask someone who attends a Roman Catholic church which religion they follow, they will likely reply: "I'm a Catholic", as opposed to "I'm a Christian."

But if you ask someone who attends a Protestant church what religion they follow, they will likely reply: "I'm a Christian" or perhaps more specificially, "I'm a Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, Anglican, Presbyterian, etc. -Christian." But it is very unlikely they will reply "I'm a Protestant."

Therefore, if Protestants tend to use the word "Christian" to describe the branch they follow, as opposed to Catholics who are more specific by saying that they are Catholic.

According to the many encyclopedia articles that I've read, there are three main branches of the Christianity religion:

1. Roman Catholicism
2. Protestantism
3. Eastern Orthodox

I'm sure if you introduce the Orthodox branch, you will get a completely new set of debates. But one thing I've noticed is that of the three branches, those who follow Protestantism are more likely to insist that they are the only true Christians. In other words, it seems like Protestants criticize Catholics more than Catholics criticize Protestants. From the time Protestantism was first introduced during the Reformation in the 1500's, there have been massive wars in Europe that have erupted all because of the issue of Protestantism vs. Catholics. I've asked many Protestants whether they consider Catholics as Christians, and all of them replied NO.

I've seen it countless times myself how many protestants don't consider Catholics to be Christians, and I find it pretty astonishing. I think I've even discussed it on here before. Times in the past when I've been asked what religion I am and I have replied Catholic someone will say, "Oh, so you're not a Christian?" Euhhh.

The answers in this thread have been very well put, but I'll give my own answer to add to it. Catholicism teaches that it was the religion Jesus had intented upon. They place a high importance on the Pope because they believe St. Peter was the first Pope, appointed by Jesus himself. They say it's mentioned in the bible--Matthew 16:18. If you read it, you'll probably find that it sounds vague. Which is a good example of Catholics having an open interpretation to the bible and why many people believe the Catholics don't focus on the bible as much as other Christians. Besides that line in the bible, Catholics also believe history accurately depicts St. Peter as the first Pope, and Popes have been listed ever since then.

So Catholics think the Pope is the ruler of the Church here on earth. With that comes other things that Protestants don't go for. The importance of priests, and their duties (already mentioned in this thread), and the focus on saints, and Mary. Catholics do not worship Mary, saints, or relics. They honor them. Yes there is a difference. But I certainly understand why a Non Catholic would say otherwise. There is a lot to it, and you can search for the explanations if you'd like. You don't have to agree with it at all, but you may understand why Catholics follow this.

That takes me to another part. Although, I am Catholic, I have a lot of problems with my religion. I'm sure to the point that many other Catholics would consider me a non Catholic, myself. But any staunch Catholic has to face the facts--for 100s of years, there have been contradictions, scandals, and many problems with the religion. It is not perfect. Things have happened that Jesus himself is displeased with, even if he intended this to be the religion to follow. And if this is the religion he wanted, I still think he understand the reasons for other beliefs.

Ugh...this is why I just believe in God and not in church. We'd have had far less wars if religions just got along.
yes

I am Catholic and have been since childhood and have been made fun of by Protestants all my life. I don't understand if we believe in the same God what are we arguing about? I don't agree w all the Catholic Church stands for but I don't persecute them for it. I try to live and let live.

Catholicism gets its name from the term "catholic", meaning universal. The Roman Catholic Church has identified itself as the one universal, or common church, the single body of believers that traces its origin to its founding in the time of Christ when Jesus declared Peter to be the first Pope, according to Catholic tradition. From there a system of beliefs developed over the centuries regarding belief, tradition, liturgy, sacraments, theology, the place of Mary and the saints, etc., that many Protestants, particularly those of the "fundamentalist/evangelical" variety have a hard time understanding. According to them, "if it isn't in the Bible, it must not be true" is their mantra for everything they don't understand.

Protestantism is a development in the church which began semi-officially in Germany in 1517 when a Catholic cleric by the name of Martin Luther, who was struggling with various beliefs and practices within the Church, felt enlightened by the central belief in Christianity that "the just shall live by faith" rather than external works advocated by the Church--and from that, he began an attack on the practice of the sale of indulgences, which allegedly "bought" people out of purgatory. On the door of the church at Wittenberg, he posted his famous 95 Theses, which criticized the Pope's decrees regarding indulgences, and from there the Protestant Reformation was born. There were other reformers before and after this act, but Luther's
defiance was the significant turning point. From there various branches of Protestantism sprouted up, while some, such as the Anglican and Episcopal denominations were a little more tied in with Catholic belief and practice.