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humorist-workshop
i am confused!
I became a Christian two years ago, but I was baptized Catholic as an infant. I really get into the Christian faith more than the Catholic faith.
However I also heard that Catholic is very similar to Christian, except that Christian is more of a general faith than Catholic? I really don't know.. I mean I would hate to leave the Catholic faith. I am asking what is the difference between being Catholic and Christian? Would it matter if I was baptized Catholic and being more Christian? What am I supposed to do??
Thanks
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Want to answer more questions in the Miscellaneous category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Spirituality?
I am a Christian. Christians worship Jesus and Catholics worship Mary and Jesus. I don't know much about what Catholis believe though. It wouldn't matter if you were baptized a Catholic and being more Christian though.
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It really doesn't matter. People make mountains out of molehills when it comes to this subject.
A long time ago the catholic church was the only one. The belief was that it was God's church, and there should be only one. Eventually, some people thought they should be able to question the church, take more personal responsibility for salvation, that sort of thing, and those people ended up splitting off and starting their own churches.
Baptism of infants is just a family's way of telling God, "here's our baby, we're going to do our best to raise it like you'd want us to." It doesn't mean anything about your personal decision to follow God, that has to come later.
Don't let people tell you that you're wrong or less Christian because you're not a baptist, or not a lutheran, or not a catholic, or whatever. They don't know what's in your heart. The important think is that you know, and you find a church that agrees with it. Visit different ones. Find one where the church leaders discuss issues that are important to you, where there are helpful classes, where you make friends. Read your Bible, read some other books, the decide what's right. Don't let people on this website tell you.
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well in general, Catholics worshp mary and Christians worship God. You may hvae never realized it but that's ususally what it revolves around. It is okay to be baptized in the Catholic faith but if you want to be in the Christian faith then you can be baptized by the non-demoninational Christians. It really doesn't matter as long as you are praising God. It's your choice to be baptized again but God know that as long as your living for God and to praise him then that is what really matters.
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Hey..this might defer away from your question..but if you want a major insight to the Catholic Faith, check out the book: The Visions of the Children, the Apparations of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje: by Janice T. Connell. Check it out..it changed my life =]
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Well, this is my opinion, and some people may or may not agree with me. I'm not Catholic, I attend an Episcopalian, kind of a "cross" between Catholic and Protestant". But I attend youth group at a non-denominational "contemporary" church, so I've been exposed to both ends of the spectrum. But anyhow, here's what I think. :)
Romans 12:5 says "so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." I am a strong believer that all the denominations (branches of Christianity, including Catholicism -- not its own religion!)need to unify for their common purpose of glorifying God and preaching his word, rather than get all hung up on how we do it. Catholics are steeped in tradition, clinging to historical practices of the Church. Baptists, and other Protestants, however, sometimes choose to turn from the traditional style of worship and be a little more on the contemporary side. I figure it's a matter of preferance, and you should choose a church and style of worship that you're most comfortable with, as long as God always remains in the center.
Now, there's the issue of who believes what. Catholics, as well as Protestants, have the roots of their faith in the Bible, as all Christians should. The Bible clearly says in Romans 10:9 "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." What I don't understand is why that's so unclear to people in the Church. People of all denominations get hung up on "I'm right, you're wrong" that they lose focus of the ONLY perfect one -- God. While Catholics may place more value on good works, or study the saints, and while Protestants may focus more on tithing and one-on-one time with God (those are just examples, by the way, I have no idea if those are accurate or not), as long as you truely accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, there's no room for confusion.
Sooo, in a nutshell, I'd say focus less on "What denomination am I?" or "Does it matter what I was baptized as?" because in God's eyes, none of those things matter, as long as you love Him! Just focus on being the Body of Christ, like they talk about in Romans 12. God doesn't love Protestants more than Catholics, or vice versa. If you decide you'd like to look at other types of Churches besides the Catholic church you attend, I'd suggest a non-denominational one, because then there's no bias. :)
Sorry if that wasn't the black and white answer you were looking for ... please let me know if I can clarify anything!
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I have always learned that the Catholic church believes in Salvation by works and not by faith.(Like The faith of Christianity is based on) So I would not say they are the same. The Bible is clear that you have to be saved by faith and works can do nothing so that's what I believe. It doesn't matter if you were baptized as a Catholic. I'm Baptist and the anna baptists were "rebaptizers" they were baptized again when they were saved. So no matter what "denomination" As long as you're saved and know you're on your way to heaven no one should hold anything against you. God Bless and Merry Christmas~aeromonkey
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Well, where to begin? First, if you would like more information or would like to talk further my MSN messenger is jenn-hansen@hotmail.com. Okay, well, dealing with baptism. The "Christian" faith will not "hold it against you" that you where previously baptised as an infant, and depending on what faith you are practicing with they may encourage you to make that decision as an adult as well. I believe that this is more of an outward sign of your faith, not "necessarily" necessary for salvation, but we could argue about that all day. Anyway, the difference between certain Christian and Catholic faiths are slim, but the differences can become more noticeable in different types of Christian faith. Does that make sense? Anyway, one difference Pastor's can marry and have a family. That is one huge difference. As a Christian you have "direct access to God" where as the Catholic faith you go through a Priest in the form of confession. I hope that this helps, and I have a lot of information, so just get a hold me.
Jenn
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There is a difference. Catholic is more planned organized and some of the beliefs are different but along the same lines. Christian is more contemporary (depending on where you go). I was baptised as a Catholic but am now christian. so its ok
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There's really nothing else I can say that DangerWench and Solaris didn't mention, but I wanted to pipe in here in agreement with them. You would be wise to follow their advice.
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i'm wondering the same thing also because i am Catholic but i went to a retreat with my cousin's Christian church group last september and i really got into God and stuff. I am still Catholic but i also have a Christian part inside me but i think the difference is that Christians only refer to God as the person they worship but Catholics also have Mary, Joseph, and Saints.
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Looks like Solaris pretty much has it covered. But I'll go ahead and post my answer anyway, since it's already right here waiting to be posted. ;-)
The Catholic Church believes that the Bible is not the only authority. Their teachings include such documentation as Catechisms, and Papal Encyclicals (defined as "authoritative teaching instruments from the Vicar of Christ" (the Pope)) which have been written and added to throughout the years of the history of the Catholic Church.
Because of this, the Catholic Church has many teachings, beliefs, and traditions that are different from a Christian who believes the Holy Bible is the exclusive authority of Christianity.
A Catholic Christian believes in the Catholic doctrines, teachings, and traditions which include, but are *not exclusive to* the Holy Bible.
Most non-Catholic Christians believe the Holy Bible is the *exclusive* authority of Christianity... No other documents.
Much argument comes from this, as quite a few non-Catholic Christians (such as myself) believe the Catholic doctrines to be un-Christian and not corresponding with Biblical scripture. And obviously, Catholics disagree.
For more information about the differences between Catholicism and *exclusively* Bible-Based Christianity, see the following link:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
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Catholic is similar to Christianity yes, however Men throughout Catholic history started to change doctrine, the bible, and add their own personal beliefs into it, thus makeing it a false religion.
They believe in purgatory, when the bible makes no mention of a purgatory. They took some scripture and twisted it to fit.
They believe Mary Jesus's mother is a mediator between us and God. Jesus stated Himself that He is the only way. No one else. This includes Mary.
Second they dont believe the bible is Fully true. [Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
I mean come on. This is a bunch of guys dressed in fancy robes trying to play God. They think they are saving people, yet they really are sending them to Hell. I only say this because like I said...Jesus is the only way to Heaven. Catholics take their eyes of Jesus and place them in Saint Mary Queen of Heaven (Did you know the bible talks about a Queen of Heaven and its not good at all...Jeremiah 7:18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the QUEEN OF HEAVEN, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.)
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
They pray to Mary for help with Sin. I do believe only one person I know can deal with it, and it's not her.
"Would it matter if I was baptized Catholic and being more Christian? What am I supposed to do??"
It doesnt matter what you were baptized in before. What matters is you see the truth and accept the bible for what it is: The truth and the unfalable word of God. Accept Jesus, not mary, and so forth. I used to be Catholic so I know how it is...I would get baptized as a newborn Christian, and leave the Catholic faith behind....Thats what I would do...Im not telling you what to do...
I could go on and on and on but Ill spare you ;)
If you want more help you can E-Mail me
Strata_XIII@hotmail.com
Hope I helped.
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