The 8 differences between Christian and Catholic

Catholicism is a form of Christianity that can be easily distinguished from other variants.

Faith, whether we speak of religious faith or not, is one of the most powerful forces as it facilitates having and maintaining hope for a better world. One of the best known types of faith is religious faith.This is a type of faith that seeks to give an explanation to the world and to configure a framework, values and/or main rules of action for those who subscribe to it.

Throughout history and even today there have been and still are a great variety of religious confessions, although at present the monotheistic ones tend to predominate.

Among them, the most widespread throughout the world is Christianity, especially with regard to the Catholic doctrine. Regarding this last point, some people have sometimes identified Christianity and Catholicism as synonyms.

However, the truth is that although both terms are related, they do not overlap completely, and there are some differences between Catholicism and other types of Christianity. That is why throughout this article we are going to look at the differences between we are going to see the differences between Christian and Catholic..

Main differences between Christian and Catholic

Being Christian and being Catholic is as we have said something that may or may not go hand in hand, not being all Christian necessarily Catholic. Below we are going to show some of the main differences.

1. Specificity

One of the possible differences is the level of specificity that both terms have. Although Catholicism is part of Christianity, there are other types of Christianity: Protestants and Anglicans, for example, are other known branches of the same Christian religion.

Thus, while all Catholics are Christians, not all Christians are Catholics.. The taxonomic level of both concepts is different, since Catholicism is a branch of Christianity.

2. Interpretation of the Bible

One of the main differences between Catholicism and other branches of Christianity has to do with the type of interpretation given to the sacred book of Christianity, the Bible.

Catholicism offers a canonical and considered official vision of the events narrated in the Bible, indicating a concrete position and interpretation of the Bible that the believer must believe. However, other branches consider that Catholicism's view greatly limits the role of the believer.The text of the Bible, inviting a freer and more open interpretation of the sacred text.

3. The Virgin Mary

All Christians have immense respect for the figure of the Virgin Mary, but her role in the faith can vary greatly.

Catholicism sees her as a sacred entity, who by herself is the object of worship.She is herself an object of veneration and prayer and is imbued with a halo of divinity, as well as being considered an intercessor between humanity and God. This is not without controversy, and according to some researchers is the result of the polytheistic past of many communities that are now Catholic.

However, other branches of Christianity, despite respecting and venerating her, only contemplate her as the mother of Christ, not praying to her or to other intercessors but directly to God.

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4. The role of the saints

The idea of sainthood is especially relevant to Catholicism, with saints being those persons whose ethical faculties are considered to have reached a very high level of communion with God. Until recently, saints were considered to intercede between humanity and divinity, as protectors and guides.

It is not uncommon for prayers to be addressed to them and for relics to be kept and venerated. On the other hand, the saints are understood to be the highest degree of proximity to God that can be reached through good works..

However, other branches of Christianity only see them as possible examples, but consider their veneration and worship as something generally unnecessary.

5. The Church and its leader

Another difference between Catholics and other types of Christians can be found in the role of the Church and the consideration of the authority of the Church and its leader.

In the case of Catholicism the Pope is the supreme leader of the Church.In the case of Catholicism, the Pope is the highest leader of the Church, which is the institution that is considered heir of the word of Christ, being its maximum representative the heir of St. Peter. Other branches of Christianity such as Protestantism or the Anglican Church do not recognize this authority (in the latter case being the king or queen the highest ecclesiastical authority).

6. The sacraments

A further difference is found in the value given to the sacraments. While Catholicism contemplates the need to celebrate seven (baptism, communion or eucharist, confirmation, priestly orders, marriage and anointing), other branches of Christianity do not consider all these sacraments necessary, and therefore many of these rituals are not considered sacred or significant.

7. Ecclesiastical celibacy

A difference that applies primarily to those who dedicate themselves to the priesthood is the consideration of the need for celibacy or the impossibility of marrying or having children.

This custom is specific to the Catholic priesthood.derived from a medieval prohibition that intended that the ecclesiastical goods could not be inherited from parents to children. Other branches such as the Protestant, however, do allow their priests to marry and have children.

8. Heaven, hell and purgatory

Another difference between Catholicism and other Christian beliefs is the conception of the existence of purgatory. Most branches of Christianity generally accept the idea of an afterlife in the form of heaven for good people and hell for the wicked. However, in the case of Catholicism in the case of Catholicism we find also the existence of purgatoryIn the case of Catholicism, however, we also find the existence of purgatory, an afterlife in which the believer will suffer to purge his sins until he succeeds, when he will be able to ascend.

In fact, there are also branches such as those of Jehovah's Witnesses who consider that there is no life beyond death, simply resurrection.

Bibliographical references:

• Chevalier, J., Gheerbrant, A. (2009). Dictionary of the Symbols, 2nd edition. Barcelona: Herder.
• Chidester, D. (2000). Christianity: A Global History. HarperOne.
• Kimbrough, S. T. ed. (2005). Orthodox and Wesleyan Scriptural understanding and practice. St Vladimir's Seminary Press.