I have to write a 4 page essay comparing Catholicism with Protestantism. I have no idea what thees religions are like. Can you please tell me some differences? What are some good websites for info?
Catholicism teaches a false gospel of works ("sacraments") that leads to the eternal lake of fire (Galatians 1:6-9). They don't know or represent Jesus Christ.
Here's more information about it than you'll have time to read:
Chris is spouting the false doctrine of Anti-Catholicism, or talking about things you don't understand.
Why don't you do this: Look at a site like Catholic Answers to see what Catholics really believe. Then look at a Protestant site and see what they believe. Try typing in what do protestants believe...although they believe lots of different things.
The site Chris mentions is laughed at by serious theologians and religious scholars of all faiths. Please don't waste your time on garbage like that. Jack Chick is just a clown and a viscous liar. I don't normally call people names, but I don't want you to get brainwashed by this Cr@p.
Protestants were once part of the Catholic Faith. They left the church in protest because they did not believe all of the teachings of the Faith. They started their own church. When they did that they removed some of the books from the Bible. That should be a beginning for you. Google Protestism. Also take a look at the Universal Church (The Catholic Church).
I'd look into stuff on Wycliffe and Martin Luther (the German from the Reformation era in Europe.) You're going to get your best definitions from the BIOS on those guys and the ones mentioned with them.
A very good Catholic website is NewAdvent.org. You can also search for the Catholic Encyclopedia on line; they have excellent articles about all Catholic doctrines and peoples.
Also, try searching for the Protestant Reformation.
Both Catholics and Protestants are considered branches of Christianity. The term "Catholic" covers all Christian groups that practice apostolic succession, such as Roman Catholicism, the Greek Orthodox Church, the Assyrian Orthodox Church, the Church of the East, and others. The term "Protestant" refers to Christian groups that are not in submission to any Catholic hierarchy (even though they have established their own hierarchy), specifically the Roman Catholic hierarchy.
As far as basic doctrine goes, Catholics and Protestants are basically the same: the Nicean Creed applies to all. It is in our religious practices that we differ.
Religions claiming to be "Christian" and yet defying the basic Nicean Creed are not, in fact, Christian, and do not fall under either Catholic or Protestant. Examples include the Mormons and the Jehovah's witnesses.
A difficult essay if you have no religious background but have a go anyhow.........Even with some background you need to read a lot and make some decisions on how you see it.
Catholics are Christians as are "Protestants" (there are differ net sorts or Protestants) They both start with Jesus.The differences are largely about what they make of Him and how they explain Him and what followed from that over history..
You can trace the history of the early Church.Then you need to get a feel for some of the different streams of Christianity way before Protestantism as such came on the scene.
My take on the difference is that from a sociological point of view Christians were reformed/updated Jews.
Catholics come from the post Jesus church that stayed more Jewish than "Pauline".The former was a thought process that said that Believers still needed a Priesthood to intervene for them with God ( c Pharasees & Saducces) .The Bible talks of the curtain being torn.Protesants later emphasis ed this and turned it into a a doctrine that said you do not need priests.Each of us need to make a direct connection with God -no intermediaries.
Medieval Christianity would also be worth a look with doctrines such as praying for the souls of the dead when Protestants later pointed out that the Bible said Jesus said that all were forgiven in Him.Also consider the Marian Tradition.
The Catholic church was founded by Jesus when He passed the keys to the Apostle Peter; St. Matthew 16, 13-19.
When we deny the Catholic faith we oppose Jesus along with all His magnificent teaching!
The latter church became a formalized but hidden religion around AD104.
Sadly, these Catholic Christians were still under persecution by the Roman empire until AD400 when emperor Constantine allowed the religion to be favored among the roman people.
Before and during the latter time Catholics would cautiously meet at designated areas to perform the Mass where Jesus instituted the communion; 1 Corinthians 11:24
The protestant church started in the 16Th century and was created by man.
Martin Luther established a church through the power and authority of King Henry VIII.
Oddly, the latter king never even practiced in the reformed church, he only went along with the idea to secure a divorce along with gaining authority and control of England over the Pope.
Our Lord Jesus speaks of this dilemma in St. Mark 3:24
During the Council of Trent in the 15Th century the reformers debated with the scholars of the Catholic church in an attempt to show error.
Sadly, when the dust settled the reformers were left speechless, the reformers never again attempted the latter due to embarrassment.
Remember, up until the 16Th century "A L L" of Christianity practiced Catholicism, it was the "O N L Y" Christian religion.
Even the Greek Orthodox church is in unity with the Catholic church, the very word "catholic" is Greek for universal!
What ever gave Martin Luther "man" the right to oppose the intended way Jesus desired?
In the event you do not believe the above take the time to research the important events for yourself.
"What separates us as believers in Christ is much less than what unites us." (Pope John XXIII)
Almost all important doctrine is completely agreed upon between Catholic Christians and other Christians.
Here is the joint declaration of justification by Catholics (1999), Lutherans (1999), and Methodists (2006):
By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works.
There are many minor doctrine issues and some major cultural traditional differences which, I believe, do not matter that much.
A Catholic worships and follows Christ in the tradition of Catholicism which, among other things, recognizes that Christ made Peter the leader of His new Church and Pope Benedict XVI is Peter's direct successor.
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm
Comparing Catholicism to Protestantism?
