I was wondering if someone could outline the differences b/w being a catholic and christian. I know some seem to deal with the pope, receiving the eucharist, the crucifix (being symbolic), the existence of purgatory and a few social issues. I am also wondering where to find support in the bible for its beliefs. thanx
Well i was born into a catholic family. but i became a Christian when i was 17. There are many differences between the two. I will give one that is probably the mayor difference. For Christians Belief in Jesus as the Messiah and that the only way for one to receive forgiveness of sin and to have eternal life in the presence of God is to accept Jesus as Messiah/savior/redeemer. For catholics there is two Messiah's/saviors/redeemers. They believe that Jesus and mary are both saviors. They have given the title of coredemptress to mary. To Christians this is a doctrine of demons and an abomination. Acts 4 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11This is the "stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' 12Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Well that is probably the biggest difference between the catholic religion and the Christian faith. There are many more but i am in a rush now so i must go. if you want more i will be happy to post some later Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! All praise the Ancient Of Days
Thank you. If you have more time that would be wonderful. Is there support in the bible for subjects like purgatory and the existence of a pope? I have read some posts that interpret Matthew 12:32, in which Jesus said, “And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but he that shall speak against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in the world to come" to mean purgatory. What do you think?
Adstar: Well i was born into a catholic family. but i became a Christian when i was 17. There are many differences between the two. I will give one that is probably the mayor difference. ************* M*W: What a liar you are! Obviously you didn't learn anything about the Catholic church, because you now such a holy roller. I'm no christian, but I am a former catholic who is knowledgeable about catholic doctrine. So why must you step in to explain something you know nothing about! ************* Adstar: For Christians Belief in Jesus as the Messiah and that the only way for one to receive forgiveness of sin and to have eternal life in the presence of God is to accept Jesus as Messiah/savior/redeemer. ************* M*W: And this is what catholicism teaches, too. ************* Adstar: For catholics there is two Messiah's/saviors/redeemers. They believe that Jesus and mary are both saviors. They have given the title of coredemptress to mary. To Christians this is a doctrine of demons and an abomination. ************* M*W: Leave answering questions about catholicism to the current or former catholics whether we still believe in it or not. We should all still know what we learned, even if we no longer believe it to be true -- the dogma stands! Catholics DO NOT have TWO messiahs/saviors/redeemers. The BVM does NOT forgive sins directly but indirectly as she is said to intercede for those who ask her to intercede TO HER SON on our behalf. That DOES NOT make her a messian, savior or redeemer. ************* Adstar: Well that is probably the biggest difference between the catholic religion and the Christian faith. There are many more but i am in a rush now so i must go. if you want more i will be happy to post some later Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! ************* M*W: Don't bother spreading lies when you don't know what you are talking about. Okinrus is quite knowledgeable on catholicism, and he probably is the one who could explain catholic dogma thoroughly. I've was a catholic for many years, and whether or not I still believe in christianity, I taught catholicism for many years. It still aggravates me when a non-catholic tries to explain catholic doctrine because you people DON'T KNOW shit from shinola. Stick to your false xian beliefs. That's where you belong.
TATABox: If you have more time that would be wonderful. Is there support in the bible for subjects like purgatory and the existence of a pope? I have read some posts that interpret Matthew 12:32, in which Jesus said, “And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but he that shall speak against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in the world to come" to mean purgatory. What do you think? ************* M*W: TATABox, please address your questions about catholic doctrine to Okinrus. He is the most knowledgeable person to answer your questions.
Hello TATABox Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Don't worry about medicine woman, she is a bitter athiest who has rejected the Messiah Jesus. Now lets continue. purgatory. Yes purgatory is a catholic doctrine not a Christian doctrine. catholics believe that they can pray for the dead. Christians believe that praying for the dead is a waste of time for once one dies there is no way that others can obtain salvation for them by prayer. purgetory is supposedly a place where catholics who have not been good enough but have tried their best to be good go to. they are supposedly placed here to be made pure acceptable to go to heaven. praying for the dead is linked to purgatory because catholics believe that a dead persons time in purgetory can be shortened by the prayers of the living. Christians believe that there is no purgetory. that once someone is dead there is no opportunity so change their salvation status in either direction. pope. Jesus said to peter (his apostle) that: Matthew 16 13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 20Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ. So Jesus knowing that Peter had been given the correct answer direct from God gave him the power to establish what was to be loosed and binded on earth. (that is to say establish the guidelines of the Church after Jesus had been killed, resurrected and assent into heaven) peter assumed leadership after the assention. Peter saw the establishment of the bible he even contributed guidelines within the two books within the bible that bear his name. Catholics believe that the power to establish guidelines in the church passed on to other individuals after Peters death, they call these men popes. Christians believe that the Authority Jesus gave to Peter was to him and him alone it was to him that the power was given to bind and loosen and it was given to no one else. Matthew 12:32 Matthew 12 22 Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23And all the multitudes were amazed and said, "Could this be the Son of David?" 24Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, "This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons." 25But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. 31 "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. Jesus was talking to the apostles after the pharisees had confronted Him and accused the holy Spirit that was with Jesus of being Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons. they where in fact calling the Holy Spirit a demon, the ruler of demons in fact. By calling the Holy Spirit Beelzebub they blasphemed the Holy Spirit. Jesus makes it very clear that this sin is the only one that will never be forgiven a man. I hope this has given you what you need TATABox if you need any clarification on any of my answers please don't hesitate to ask. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! All Praise The Ancient of Days
I see someone else has already made a partial list but I will add mine as well. The differences between Catholic and Christian - that would be a long list. First, however, Catholic is Christian so I assume you mean the differences between the teachings of the Catholic Church and the teachings of Jesus and his Apostles. Jesus and all the disciples/apostles were Jewish so that should give you an idea of some of the differences. There is no such thing as Purgatory, God is in charge of Hell (not the Devil), the Ten Commandments is still in effect (including Saturday Sabbath - not Sunday Sabbath). Salvation comes by Grace, not by Works (the primary reason the Protestants split from the Catholics, although the Protestants still retain lots of Catholic false teachings as well as some new ones of their own). The Eucharist is not taken in Church but at Home (as often as you eat of it – or at every meal). The ultimate High Priest is Jesus, not the Pope (Peter was not the first Pope and never went to Rome and was not crucified upside down). Mary was not without sin nor was she born of virgin birth as the Catholics say, nor was she raised up into heaven at the end of her life. Mary is a special beloved figure but not the Goddess the Catholics have developed around her. The Saints are the believers, not some special class of dead people with special powers to answer prayers or perform miracles. There is no point in praying to Mary or to any Saint - pray only to God. The Catholic Church/Holy Roman Empire is an anti-Christ or the first Beast of Revelations 13 (the beginning of the Protestant Church is not much better since they are described as the second Beast of Revelations 13 – with two horns, representing the Lutherans and the Episcopals). There is no penance or purchase of indulgences. Priests cannot forgive sins, only God/Jesus can. Chanting words like the Hail Mary’s and Our Father’s is pointless and irritating to God. I am not, nor have I ever been, Catholic (although I was married in the Catholic Church). My wife was raised Catholic but I quickly found that despite all the Catholic schools and Catholic training, she knew less about the Catholics then I did. I still occasionally go to Catholic Churches with my in-laws, and it drives me crazy to hear “Mary, mother of God”. Mary is not the mother of God. Yes, Jesus is God, but Mary was only the mother of his human half. I have had long discussions with the Catholic parts of my family, and they will all say “Oh no, we don’t make Mary into a Goddess and We don’t worship Mary” but the truth, as they say, is in the pudding. They do pray to Mary and worship statues of her (I watch them do it). And I understand that it is far worse in the Northeast and in Europe (Catholics in the bible-belt tend to be more Baptist in their leanings). I know this list is not nearly complete, but perhaps someone else can fill in the blanks.
David F.: The ultimate High Priest is Jesus, not the Pope (Peter was not the first Pope and never went to Rome and was not crucified upside down). ************* M*W: Question. Please provide evidence for this statement. I've been to Rome and to The Vatican and to the dungeon at Nero's Circus where Peter and Paul were killed. I believe Peter and Paul were both in Rome at the same time, and I do believe Peter was the first Pope (even if I don't agree with this, I have my doubts). Paul turned on Peter at the end. I find it terribly strange that Peter WANTED to be crucified upside down, because that defies the cross. In fact, you probably already know that the upside down cross is a symbol for the Antichrist, which I believe Peter was along with Paul. Peter betrayed Jesus during his lifetime as did Paul much later. The truth is, the Vatican doesn't elevate Jesus as much as it elevates Peter and Paul and all the Pagan gods. If you want to find Jesus in The Vatican, you've got to go look for him in some dark corner. He's not an obvious fixture as one would think. I'm interested to hear your reply.
