Is Catholicism a denomination?

[pamnbam]

I was debating on a parenting forum, and the subject of religion and Catholicism came up. The question was “Is Catholicism considered a Christian denomination?” Some debated that it was, because denominations are different “types” of Christianity, of which Catholicism was one.

I argued that Catholicism is not in and of itself a denomination, because, seeing as it’s the Church Christ instituted, other Christian sects arose from it. Thus, the “types” of Christianity are merely variations of the original, the Catholic Church, and must be denominations. Which side is correct? Thank you in advance!

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Your answer is correct and very good. One image that might help to demonstrate what you’ve been trying to say is that of a tree. The Catholic Church is the tree Christ planted. Other Christian groups are leaves and branches that have fallen from that original tree.