what's different between christian and catholic?

This is not a simple question that can be answered in such a short space. However, I can only give you my input as simple as it may be. Christians are a type of people who believe in the trinitarium belief system...we believe in God, the Father; God, The son(Jesus); and God, the Holy Spirit; All 3 as being one. Under the umbrella of "Christians", there can be many religions such as, Baptisits, Episcopalians, Methodists, Lutherans, Assemblies of God, and yes, Catholics, too; because they all believe in the same trinity...and were baptized in the trinitarium way...."I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit". However, within these Christian Religions, there are multiple differences, but the most important difference is the way each of these religions regard the Eucharist. Catholics regard the Eucharist as the "REAL body and blood of Christ", while others regard the receiving of the Eucharist as a symbol of what Christ did at the Last Supper. For them it is not the real body and blood of Jesus. Lutherans, and Episcopalians pretty much agree with the Catholic Church, now, on this matter, but there are still other religions who do not. However, just being Baptized into the Christian Faith, is not enough. We must do our part to act like a Christian, to be fully Christian.

Here is the explanation. All Catholics are Christians but not all Christians are Catholics. Christians refer to followers of Christ which means, all religions believed in Jesus Christ and recognized God and Christ belong to the Christian world. Now, Christianity cannot be refer alone to Catholic Church because Christians are composed of Protestants, born-again, Baptist, Methodist and all religions believing Jesus Christ. That's why Christians and Catholic are two different words. Non-Christians refer to the religions which does not recognized Jesus Christ like Islam, Shinto, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism among others. Christianity should not be confused as referring only to one religious group, because all religions that believing Jesus Christ are all Christians. I hope it explains well and answer your question. Thanks for posting this discussion. Good day!

Christians don't believe in purgatory, praying to Mary, confessions to priests, they don't do baby baptism...Christians do get baptized, but only after they accept Christ and want to show others they are a new person by being baptized. There are other differences, but those are some of the basics.

There is NO difference between and Christian and a Catholic. A person who is Catholic is a Christian, Catholic is just the name of a demonation of Christiantiy, just like Bapisit,Protestant, or Lutheran. As a Catholic myself Im still wondering why so many people think that Catholics aren't Chrisitans.

Sorry for those people who made a Christianity a religion or the circumstances that were involved.Everyone will say what they think.As I believe there exists so many denominations in the religion "Christianity".Christianity is a relationship with The Living God.These donominations are man-made.I am not telling you shouldn't have one.But Christianity is beyond that.Have a nice day!

Hi Honey, we're threading on a sensitive question here which I pray that Christians would not be so unkind and harsh in their answers. Honey, a Catholic is very much a Christian like you and me. The Catholic faith had sprung forth when the apostles and the disciples and the early believers of Jesus Christ had convened in Rome and subsequently made Peter their pope. That was fulfilling what the Lord had said " You shall be called Peter which means rock, and upon this rock I will build My church." Somewhere in the history of Christianity, some in the clergy had abused their power. Evil had used human frailty and infiltrated the church. Much of that is still happening now. Back then, probably in the post dark ages, good men had questioned the abuse of those in power. They were excommunicated. They protested. Thus the emergence of the protestant religion. In time, the protestants named their denominations Baptist or Pentecostal. Today they call themselves Evangelicals. Much of the issues then had been forgotten and new issues now grip Christianity, like "What's the difference between Christian and Catholic?" There's no difference, honey.

Christian is an umbrella of religions Honey2000. Caltholic is just one of the religious denominations of Christianity. Think of Christianity as a tree. Baptist, methodist, caltholic and church of england to name but a few would be some of the branches. I hope that clears things up a little bit for you.

It may seem a tricky question but it is not......well a "Christian" is "ANY" person who believes in Jesus and his teachings and in the bible irrespective of the caste and the creed...... Catholics or "Roman Catholics" to be precise is a organized religion, they have some set rules and procedures to be followed you can call it a sect in Christianity just like any other sects like protestants, mar Thoma, Jacobite, born again, new life, etc........I am a Roman Catholic but i really don't like it these days......so much of politics goes within the church, if you know about the story of padre pio you will know what i am talking about.....some of them are just hungry for power rather than being hungry for god....... But i have not left my sect and i don't intend to, because i was baptized once and i will remain like this to my grave...... Oops did i confuse you, i hope you got my point though...... And welcome to mylot !!!!

That's a good question you've been questioned! I too want to know the difference. I have a friend who always says she is going to the Catholic Church. All this while I assumed it was the name of the church that she was going to. I'm looking forward to see the responses for your discussion. Good Luck!