Catholicism and Christianity have been around as long as the Heaven and Earth have been around. They are religions based on the life of Jesus of Nazareth, as written in the Bible so many years ago. They are the religions of the true believers (or Apostles) we must say. All over America you are likely to find a Catholic or a Christian and sometimes maybe even both.
The odd thing about the two religions is that you can say that, “a Catholic is a Christian, but you cannot say a Christian is a Catholic.” Because Catholicism is a subset of Christianity, but not all Christians are Catholic some are Protestant, Methodist, Mormon, Evangelical, Orthodox, or Baptist.Another difference in Catholicism and Christianity is a woman cannot be a Priest because she cannot plant a seed (as a male can). Catholicism has a leader The Pope, who is elected by bishops all over the world, this is a very prestigious position of faith and holds great power in the church.
Many people believe that Catholics treat their women with less respect and dignity than their men, but that is not the case. Women are equal to men but do not have the same dignity as men, women are not eligible for ordination in Catholicism, but can become a nun or a sister.This stems back to Mary and Jesus, God planted the seed in Mary, and Jesus grew in her, just as through her the church grew. Mary is The Queen of The Saints, The Mother of The Church. She is the one woman, we Catholic women want to be more like, and a woman our spouses wish us to be more like. She is a powerful figure in the Catholic faith and a very strong force for evil to reckon with in times of need.
Another way we are different is Catholics use statues to depict Christ, Mary and other Saints, when other Christians do not use statues.Another way Catholics are different from Christianity is we believe in the Trinity. Three persons in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Catholics also believe that Baptism may be lost by mortal sin; salvation can come through faith and penance. We must believe in Jesus as the sole savior of humanity. We must have a relationship with Jesus.
Good Works. Seven Sacraments. We must confess our sins to a priest, for absolution from sins in the name of Christ. (John 20:22-23) Prayer to the Saints.
One does all these rituals to reach our goal of Philosophy which is Eternal Salvation.Catholicism and Christianity are similar in our prayers, sacraments, worship in church, reading of the Bible, acts of charity and the involvement in our communities. Both religions use crosses. Scriptures used in both religions is The Holy Bible, the Old and New Testaments.
Their goal is to give Glory to God, and share eternal life with him in his kingdom. Both religions worship in churches, chapels, cathedrals, bible studies. Both religions believe that man has inherited original sin from Adam, and man kind is evil and is in extreme need for the forgiveness of sin. Both religions believe that if you believe and follow the pathway of the righteous you will have eternal salvation in heaven and if you do not you live eternal damnation in Hell.
Each of these religions have branches, the Catholics have Latin Rite, Eastern Rite, Anglo Catholic Rite, and Roman Catholic. The Christians have Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, Baptist, Evangelical, Charismatic, as well as several others. Both religions believe in Angels as helpers of Gods or God’s messengers.In conclusion, although there are many differences separating Christianity and Catholicism, they are both based on Love. It is God’s Love, that we all must replicate in order to make this world the place in which he created it to be. When Jesus was asked which was the most important of the ten commandments he said Love.
Before he ascended into Heaven he said to his disciples, “I give you a new command, Love one another, as I have Loved You” (John 13:34-35). They are both gateways for our salvation, and Eternal Life.
