Comparing and Contrasting Christianity and Catholicism Research Paper

Comparing and Contrasting Christianity and Catholicism - Research Paper Example   However, regrettably, Protestants have often been heard saying, â€Å"Catholics are not Christians,† but Catholics have never, to the best of this student’s knowledge, been heard to retaliate. As a starting point, and without digging deeply into theological tenants, it might help for comparison and contrasting purposes to get a simple definition of Christian. The Evangelical Church of America (2011) states that â€Å"Christianity is one of the world’s major monotheistic religions. Christians believe in Jesus Christ and follow his teachings. We believe that Jesus is God’s own son, sent to become human. As the son of God, Jesus is divine.† So using this simple and incomplete definition of Christianity, a look is in order to find what differences may exist between Catholics and Christians. To this student, the answer to a question on â€Å"Is There a Difference Between Catholic and Christian† (2011) tells the whole story. It says, â€Å"There are many Christian denominations and churches Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist. Being a member of one doesn’t determine whether one is a Christian. The real issue is whether the person has Jesus living inside of him...If they actually have a personal relationship with God.† Note that this author also lists Catholics with various Protestant denominations. Looking for differences between Christianity and Catholicism, one can find a few, most of the little consequence. For instance, Catholics believe in seven Sacraments (holy moments); namely, baptism, Eucharist, confirmation, marriage, ordination, reconciliation/confession and anointing of the sick, which not all Christian denominations do. Furthermore, Catholics believe that Saint Mary, the greatest saint of all, and did not sin while other Christians, although respecting Mary as the mother of Jesus believe that she sinned the same as anyone else.  Ã‚