There's a major difference between Catholics and Christians. Catholics believe in partitioning to the saints to bring ur request to God, worshiping Mary, Mother of God, and that if u are baptised u will go to heaven. Christians belive in praying only to God, and that u must accept Jesus Christ into ur heart in order to get to heaven. Given there are different versions of Cathlocism, I'm only refering to the Cathlocism I've grown up with. What do u think the differences(or similarities) are?

The word "catholic" means united, as in all religions who follow Christ are one. But, over time, people had problems with how they did things, so they branched off. In the Nicene Creed, we say "one holy Catholic... Church" not because we are Catholic, but because we are one in our belif in Christ.

The title "Christian" just means Christ-like, or follower of him. It has virtually nothing to do with religion. A lot of different religions call themselves "Christians" with a lot of other things attached, such as Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Protestant, and even non-denominational. While all of them could technically be called "Christian" details of the religions themselves differ.

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Originally posted by GreenMod:
Devie747, please condense all of your content into one post, thank you.

sorry. I just saw different peoples posts at different times, and so replied to them at diferent times, too.

Devie747, please condense all of your content into one post, thank you.

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Originally posted by overcomingignorance:
There's a major difference between Catholics and Christians. Catholics believe in partitioning to the saints to bring ur request to God, worshiping Mary, Mother of God, and that if u are baptised u will go to heaven. Christians belive in praying only to God, and that u must accept Jesus Christ into ur heart in order to get to heaven. Given there are different versions of Cathlocism, I'm only refering to the Cathlocism I've grown up with. What do u think the differences(or similarities) are?

catholics ARE christians. people who call themselves christian, just christian, are PROTESTANT. you do know that the differences you mentioned have fueled war and slaughter because religions are always so damn warmongerry? religions, and religious leaders, not (most) religious followers. Convert to Poco Ennuism. It isn't a religion, it's a state of mind, as is Buddhism, and Hippieism. OH, and George Dubya Bushism (all hail our Texan overlord! Oh wait, I'm canadian, I have harper, woopie!)

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Originally posted by Shade:
Theology is unfortunately, always complicated.

yes, I've always wondered why religions slaughter eachother over minor differences ( i wonder if there was ever an all out war over what jesus was eating at the last supper, green or purple grapes?)

catholicism is a type of christianity. Christian is the type of religion, the type with a single god and Jesus as the prophet. Catholicism is a more, how you say, extreme religion, while people who call themselves just Christian are normally Protestant. Protestant and Catholic are the two largest types of Christianity, and have killed many of eachother over their minor differences.

I think she's saying that all religions (other than atheism and Satanism) share certain principles with Christianity. That's not completely true, but it does hold in some aspects. Pretty much every religion has some bit about doing good and not wishing anyone harm, etc., etc. Atheism, on the other hand, is, well, nothing really, and Satanism is all about doing things that are good for you more than anything else.

Maybe. I can't speak for her, obviously, but that's my take on the post.

Am I to understand you correctly when you say that to be part of any religion other than Atheism (which isn't a religion) or Satanism, you must be Christian? Would you bother expanding on that, with um... thought out sentences? Your post as it is, is very confusing.

I've been in Catholic education for eleven years and have study the different religions since, what seems to be the begining of time, so I would like to explain that to been a Chatholic or even part of any religions besides atheism and satanism you must be christian! But to be Catholic means worshipping God and the rest of the Holy Trinity not the Saints or the chosen mother,Mary!And yes there are many ways of interpreting the Bible but to be correct I personally would not take it literally just every other boo on this planet unlike Christ on the crucafix! So, to interpret religions everyone should deffinatly search for their own deeper understanding!

Theology is unfortunately, always complicated.

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It's slightly more complicated than that, but does that clear it up at all?

I actually looked it up on Wikipedia before I posted just so I knew what you were talking about. Yeah, it's definitely complicated, which is why I made the comment about there being too many different beliefs to be sure of anything.

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Assuming you identify Lucifer with Satan (I'm not sure what your stance is here), why would he try to tempt a divine being?

Well he had the gall to try and be more powerful than God. He is utterly prideful in his belief in himself and his power. I don't think there's anything he wouldn't try.

But about Lucifer and Satan...no, I don't identify them as the same. I believe there are more than one "Satan" which is simply a title. I hesitate to use the term "Lucifer" because it was a title bestowed upon kings and also the name of a pagan god. Morning-star is the best name I have seen for him, and since he is fallen, and the bible says Jesus is the new Morning-star, he's "former." It's slightly more complicated than that, but does that clear it up at all?

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Anyways, I suppose a better definition for Christian would be any mortal human who believes in the divinity of Jesus and that he died to save everyone from sin.

And accepts that sacrifice.

Meg and Amp. I'm going to stop asking that question. It still leaves me confused, and I suppose that's why I'm not Catholic, but thank you for attempting to explain it to me.

Everyone seems to be getting hung up on specifics and minor doctrinal issues. At the most fundamental level, Catholics and Protestants are the same in that they consider Jesus to be the Christ and follow him accordingly. Don't quote this and say "Nuh uh 'cuz Catholics do X which isn't in the Bible!" because that would show that you're not getting it. Look up "fundamental" before saying anything...unintelligent.

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dixiedarlin0615:
Christians base all there info out of the bible.
Catholics add stuff and don't use the bible the proper way they should.

Interestingly enough, certain Catholics would claim Protestants do stuff that's not in the Bible. Anyways, it's all about interpretation. There is no "right" interpretation of the Bible. Catholics and Protestants simply have different views of how strictly the Bible applies.

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Catholics also think they can re crucify Christ, but the bible says that Jesus said when he was on the cross he said...IT IS FINISHED.he didn't say ok lets do this over and over....he said its done thats it.

How many Protestant churches have you been too? I've seen a number that have images of Jesus on the cross. Of course, it may be that those particular denominations are closely related to Catholicism, but I'm not too sure.

Anyways, if we're going to ask why Catholics have images of Jesus on the cross, we should also ask what the point is of displaying the cross at all. Seems odd to practically worship the execution device that killed the man Christianity is centered around. It'd be like worshiping a guillotine. We probably all agree that would be creepy.

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AllenOz:
If by broad you mean cult then yes.

The definition of cult is vague. The term "refers to a cohesive social group devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture considers outside the mainstream." (source: Wikipedia) Mormonism is and has always been outside the mainstream, which is why it's considered a cult by some. Does that mean it really is? Not necessarily.

Ironically enough, the definition of cult could be as broad as "a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also: its body of adherents. (source: Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary) That would include all of Christianity if you chose to interpret it that way. I know a few people who think all religions are cults. Whatever the case, I consider Mormons to be Christians because, at the very fundamental level, they worship Jesus and believe he was their savior.

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Shade:
Even the former Morning Star believes in the divinity of Christ.

Assuming you identify Lucifer with Satan (I'm not sure what your stance is here), why would he try to tempt a divine being? That would be like tempting God. A former angel would know that to be impossible. Of course, that assumes Jesus is God or is on the same level as God is. There are way too many different beliefs in this area to make any concrete claims.

Anyways, I suppose a better definition for Christian would be any mortal human who believes in the divinity of Jesus and that he died to save everyone from sin. Otherwise, you'd probably have to consider God and his hosts Christians. I would think that other divine or semi-divine beings wouldn't qualify for being followers of a religion, but I may be wrong.

Funny how I'm take it upon myself to lecture everyone on the finer points of Christianity and I'm not even religious...

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Transubstantiation is the proper term I think

Yep, you're right. I knew it was something trans-ish.

This I do understand. I just couldn't think og the right way to phrase what I wanted to say

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transcendentalism is the term we use.

I have no idea what you mean about recrucifiying Jesus...?

Transubstantiation is the proper term I think

and perhaps she refers to the fact that catholics place the corpus (or body of christ) in image upon the cross? if so that's utter nonsense. The corpus is a symbol of the agony christ endured, it's reminder that yes your saved and your sins have been payed for, in blood.

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Each saint has a purpose just like each god

I defy you to find a saint of fire. The saints have things we pray to them for because they are things they were connected to in life. For example Saint Joan of Arc and St. Michael (my patron) were and are (in Michael's case) warriors in the name of God. Therefore they are patrons to soldiers

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Then Meg, could you clear up for me why Catholics pray through Mary or the saints?

It's the same as asking a friend to pray for you. Catholics don't pray TO the saints (despite popular belief), they ask the saints to pray for them. It's just kind of a way to multiply the power of your prayers to God.

Catholicism was adopted as the religion of the roman empire near its collapse. Now the Romans were long used to a polytheistic religion. Catholics most likely pray to Mary and the saints for this reason.

The church was infamous for making their holidays and traditions correspond to the pre-established system of beliefs. (IE All saints day and Halloween. Winter solstice and Christmas, easter and the pagan festival for fertility) Thus, on can deduce that the church used Mary and the saints as a method of Romans feel more comfortable. Each saint has a purpose just like each god. The reason why it is still practiced today is tradition. The catholic church does not like to change.