big difference between Catholics and Protestants

[rinnie]

It was not hard for my two brothers. They were married in Baptist churches prior to converting to Catholicism. One lied through his teeth. The other one married someone from a different religion so that makes a little more sense.
I am in no way saying it is about money. I have no clue what it is about. I just know that his exwife was left with two kids and was devastated and five years later he was married in a Catholic Church. I do not have good vibes about it BUT that is just my experience

I have no way knowing about your brother, but I do know this, If someone is married in a Catholic Church, They are not held accountable if they are not Catholic, Only the Catholic is. Now if they would become Catholic, then they are accountable. I guess the CHurch feels how could they hold someone accountable who does not know the faith, But if you know it, you know what you are getting into. But like you say people lie, and some do get away with it, they think they do anyway, But God knows. thats what counts. God never lets you get away with a lie. Actually the bible says God hates liars. They will face him with that lie someday and trust me, I sure would not want it to be me.

 

[BrianH]

I have no way knowing about your brother, but I do know this, If someone is married in a Catholic Church, They are not held accountable if they are not Catholic, Only the Catholic is. Now if they would become Catholic, then they are accountable. I guess the CHurch feels how could they hold someone accountable who does not know the faith, But if you know it, you know what you are getting into. But like you say people lie, and some do get away with it, they think they do anyway, But God knows. thats what counts. God never lets you get away with a lie. Actually the bible says God hates liars. They will face him with that lie someday and trust me, I sure would not want it to be me.

Well said.
God bless.

 

[tortdog]

There is no issue between Grace and the Catholic understanding of salvation. The only issue is your own understanding of it.

I think you are assuming something on my part. I’m not saying there is an issue with Catholics and grace. I’m saying that there is a HUGE difference between the Catholic view of how grace and works are important and the Protestant view.

 

[a_priori]

You left out the whole grace vs. works argument, which is a HUGE issue in my view.

If one steps back, grace and works are the same thing. They are like time and space or the wave/particle duality of light. They manifest differently depending on the point of view of the observer. But they are “mathematically” the same stuff. You cannot separate them without diminishing both of them.

Separating them creates a false dichotomy.

Protestants like the “wave” and Catholics like the “particle”. Doesn’t matter. It’s the same stuff.

 

[mark_a]

The Big difference I see between Catholic’s and Protestants are the sacraments/

Holy Orders, This is what Jesus gave to the Apostles when they received the Power of the Holy Spirit. IT has never ended Protestants disagree with this.

Marriage, God gave Priests the power to join 2 people together and become one. It is very hard to get an annulment in the Church. Protestants disagree with this, they say it all about money, that is not true.

communion . Jesus said this is my Body this is my blood, Protestants disagree with this, they say it is just a symbol. Catholic’s believe what Jesus said it is the living Christ.

Penance, Catholics believe that the Priest has the power to forgive sins, because Jesus said so. Protestants say this is not true.

Anointing of the sick. Catholics believe that Priests have the power to cure. Protestants said no.

Confirmation is a spititual seal after communion that seals your faith with God. kind of the personal relationship with God that we are confirming, which we are told we do not have.

Baptism Of course what we give our Children at birth. The Catholic view is give that soul to God as soon as possible. Again alot of protestants disagree with.

Now I am not saying all protestants feel this way, but from the last two years on this site, Most.

But that is some of the biggest difference’s I have seen. And of course the Blessed Mother.

How do other’s feel? Protestant and Catholic?

The big difference between Protestant and Catholic moral teaching should be on the list.

 

[Alix1912]

The big difference between Protestant and Catholic moral teaching should be on the list.

Why do you keep repeating this over and over again, bigger and bigger text? And exactly what are you meaning? Seriously if no one is answering your question, yelling it louder and louder isn’t going to help.

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

I think you are assuming something on my part. I’m not saying there is an issue with Catholics and grace. I’m saying that there is a HUGE difference between the Catholic view of how grace and works are important and the Protestant view.

Gotcha

You know what happens when I assume?

Pax Tecum

 

[rinnie]

So far, there are alot of good posts. I think it really is good to know what the big differences are, because its better to understand where People can hear things, but not hear the right things.

If I could acomplish one thing on this Post, It would be to at least have People understand what Catholic’s do and why. And Catholic’s if a Protestant ask you where it is written, kindly show them. Again they may not agree, but at least can see where we are comming form.

And the other way around with Protestants also. Because I am seeing there are many Protestants who agree with 80% Of our Faith, And I think thats really Cool

 

[NonCatholic]

Where, in the Bible, is a Catholic priest given the power to forgive sins? I thought the Bible said that God alone has the authority to forgive sins. Isn’t that the reason for the “Savior”?

 

[ChristianKnight]

Marriage, God gave Priests the power to join 2 people together and become one. It is very hard to get an annulment in the Church. Protestants disagree with this, they say it all about money, that is not true.

Baptism Of course what we give our Children at birth. The Catholic view is give that soul to God as soon as possible. Again alot of protestants disagree with.

(Edited)

Where do protestants say its all about money?
Jesus didn’t give priests the power to forgive sin, he gave his disciples that power

Methodists baptize babies.

I am glad you have learned so much, really, I am

 

[JVSantos]

Where, in the Bible, is a Catholic priest given the power to forgive sins? I thought the Bible said that God alone has the authority to forgive sins. Isn’t that the reason for the “Savior”?

:coffeeread:

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

Where, in the Bible, is a Catholic priest given the power to forgive sins? I thought the Bible said that God alone has the authority to forgive sins. Isn’t that the reason for the “Savior”?

NonCatholic

Welcome to the forums. Your question is a little off topic but I will offer you this:

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” Jn 20: 21-23

Here is an example of someone else other than God having the power to forgive sin. I would add that the power ultimately comes from God, which is the Catholic belief with Priests as well. Just thought I would throw that out there before someone else stated it.

I would also refer you to this article:

catholic.com/library/Forgiveness_of_Sins.asp

Again welcome.

God bless

 

[jmcrae]

The big difference between Protestant and Catholic moral teaching should be on the list.

Protestant morality is all over the map - some denominations have a very similar morality to the Catholic Church, and others permit everything except theft and murder.

The essential difference between all Catholics and all Protestants is not morality; it’s authority.

Protestants believe that authority over the Church was given to every single individual believer, and that it is redistributed among the congregation by the will of the people, so that Church services and the business of the Church may proceed in an orderly manner.

Catholics believe that authority was given to the Apostles alone, and that only their direct successors, who succeed to these offices by means of the laying on of hands in the Sacrament of Ordination, possess it today.

 

[mark_a]

Protestant morality is all over the map - some denominations have a very similar morality to the Catholic Church, and others permit everything except theft and murder.

The essential difference between all Catholics and all Protestants is not morality; it’s authority.

Protestants believe that authority over the Church was given to every single individual believer, and that it is redistributed among the congregation by the will of the people, so that Church services and the business of the Church may proceed in an orderly manner.

Catholics believe that authority was given to the Apostles alone, and that only their direct successors, who succeed to these offices by means of the laying on of hands in the Sacrament of Ordination, possess it today.

Agreed, but since the op was making a list. . . . .

 

[jmcrae]

Agreed, but since the op was making a list. . . . .

There is no list that won’t be contradicted on every point, except for the point of Authority, by some Protestant denomination somewhere.

Not all Protestants are “sola scriptura”.

Not all Protestants permit the use of birth control.

Not all Protestants practice “open communion.”

Not all Protestants hold to a symbolic view of the Eucharist.

Not all Protestants use a 66-book Bible - in fact, more and more of them are moving to the 73-book Bible.

Not all Protestants believe in “once saved, always saved.” (In fact, proportionally when you look at world wide statistics, very few of them believe in this.)

Not all Protestants reject the idea that grace is transmitted to us through the Sacraments, or that we increase in grace by doing good deeds.

 

[mark_a]

There is no list that won’t be contradicted on every point, except for the point of Authority, by some Protestant denomination somewhere.

Not all Protestants are “sola scriptura”.

Not all Protestants practice “open communion.”

Not all Protestants hold to a symbolic view of the Eucharist.

Not all Protestants use a 66-book Bible - in fact, more and more of them are moving to the 73-book Bible.

Not all Protestants believe in “once saved, always saved.” (In fact, proportionally when you look at world wide statistics, very few of them believe in this.)

Not all Protestants reject the idea that grace is transmitted to us through the Sacraments, or that we increase in grace by doing good deeds.

ok

Not all Protestants permit the use of birth control.

Not all, but as a percentage its way up there.

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

Not all Protestants use a 66-book Bible - in fact, more and more of them are moving to the 73-book Bible.

Wow. If I asked nicely would you supply me with a link or a reference where you got this? Very interesting.

God bless

 

[JonNC]

Wow. If I asked nicely would you supply me with a link or a reference where you got this? Very interesting.

God bless

While I don’t have a reference, I do have a sense that, while American Lutherans, at least, have used the 66 book, there seems to be a trend toward reinclusion of the DC books, though perhaps in appendix form not unlike Luther’s.
Look, I don’t frankly know much about the DC books, but the history of the church includes them to one degree or another, and even Luther felt they were good for reading and study. We as Lutherans ought to re-evaluate their value and be knowledgeable of them.

Jon

 

[JonNC]

There is no list that won’t be contradicted on every point, except for the point of Authority, by some Protestant denomination somewhere.

Not all Protestants are “sola scriptura”.

Not all Protestants permit the use of birth control.

Not all Protestants practice “open communion.”

Not all Protestants hold to a symbolic view of the Eucharist.

Not all Protestants use a 66-book Bible - in fact, more and more of them are moving to the 73-book Bible.

Not all Protestants believe in “once saved, always saved.” (In fact, proportionally when you look at world wide statistics, very few of them believe in this.)

Not all Protestants reject the idea that grace is transmitted to us through the Sacraments, or that we increase in grace by doing good deeds.

Bless you.

Jon

 

[Salonika]

Think to some extent the Catholic/Protestant divide is a false dichotomy. Within Catholicism there is a range of views and there is an even greater range with Protestantism. The same things is true of most other religions.

While looking at differences over theology and how things are done can be helpful, I think the real difference within Christianity is between those people (and Churches) who believe each person has to come to their own understanding of the Christian faith and what it demands of them and those who believe that this understanding has already been given and so require “a take it or leave it as a whole approach”.

Most Christians and Christian Churches are somewhere between the two and it takes a lot of understanding and charity for those at each end to understand and work together. When it succeeds we probably don’t hear about it, when it doesn’t it leads to accusations of “bashing”.

A thought -
When we are asked “why” it’s a good idea to check whether we are being asked for information or whether we are being challenged. If we are being challenged we should check out the challenger’s motivation before we reply.