Are Catholics Christians?

Serious review: There is an implicit tone of moral righteousness in this question (and in those referring to other denominations) that I find somewhat repelling. Other review: Not according to Pastor Bubba Lee Goober of the Second Adventist Gospel Evangelist Chapel of Possum Sphincter Arkansas.

Does the Pope shit in the woods?

Ah, yes. Catholics. Those who follow the great and ponderous teachings of Cathol. What a silly question, sadly I have come across people who actually felt this way. When confronted with such ignorance, I never know whether to laugh or pat the person on the head and tell them everything will be okay. In reality this question is rife with real issues and stems from divisions between Catholics and Protostants back in the early days of the split. Back in those days most Protestants actually considered the Pope the Anti-Christ. Some still do. However, most people who believe this do not do so because of the complexities of Protestantism in the early days. Most people think this because they are ignorant and have no real desire to learn or grow in their faith.

I don't think that anybody has a right to say that because someone is a Catholic that they're not a Christian. Christianity is out there for anybody that wants to accept it into their lives. I think TeresaG is absolutely right in her review.

Not according to Jack Chick and aDios.

Some might even suggest that Catholics, who believe that salvation requires good works, follow more closely the teachings of Jesus Christ than Protestant denominations, many of which teach that you can be saved by "faith alone." It might also be worth pondering that, as the Protestant denominations all trace their origins to the Catholic Church, they would not exist but for the Catholic Church.

All believers in and followers of Jesus Christ are Christians.

I feel, and I know I may possibly be thrawted for this ~ anyone who believes the Lord Jesus Christ is your Savior, is a Christian.  Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, etc.  all have certain rites and beliefs, but I believe that if you accept Jesus Christ, you are a Christian.  I know plenty of  so called "Christians", you certainly don't act Christian-like.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Light ~ no matter your denomination.

Catholics in general believe in Christ and follow his teachings. It is obvious that not all who profess to be Christian worship in the same manner or have identical beliefs. However, that is what makes us human. We are all unique in some ways, and differences in Christian traditions can be respected. As long as a person has the spirit of Christ in their heart, than they are Christian...whether they be Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, etc.

yes. being catholic is no difrent from being orthodox, episcopalian, lutheran, baptist, etc... its simply a denomination of christianity

Yes, of course. It's a big palace, and there are many doors. Throughout history there have been numerous interpretations, revisions, sects, denominations, all reading somewhat different things into the New Testament--and they're not mutually exclusive for the teachings of Jesus are vast and complex, as complex as human thought itself. And just as Catholics are as Christian as any follower of Jesus thinks him or herself, remember that there are many denominations yet to come: perhaps some day will appear a refined vision, one not yet seen in the world, one which can actually convince a majority of people to take seriously the command to love one another above all else, and condemn not one's neighbor for being just a little bit different.

Yes, if they are washed by the blood of the lamb (Jesus) like the rest of those who choose to follow him. Although some may have problems with some of the ritual parts of Catholicism one has to look at the heart and only God can do that. I do not understand all the rites but I do know that my savior is not a respecter of persons or denominations.

They certainly can be, but as with all denominations they have alot of posers that discredit the real Christians among them.

First of all, the obvious answer to the question: Yes, of course Catholics are Christians. As the Church goes back almost 2000 years, and as Catholics follow Christ, I think that asking the question is fairly absurd in and of itself. You might as well ask the question is iron a metal, or is an apple a fruit. A few things in some of the previous ratings rather annoy me, as it seems that while there are many well informed and clearly written statements below, some people are ranting without understanding what they are talking about. The Catholic Church does not worship Mary. The Catholic Church does not worship the saints. While the Bible may not specifically set up all of the details of the position of the Pope, it does say: "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). This seems to state quite clearly that Peter was supposed to lead the Church, and Peter clearly couldn't do this forever, he had to have s... Read more

I was born into the Catholic religion, but like everyone else in my family, I just drifted away from it. Not that I was ever a real, practicing catholic, but overall it just didn't work for me. I don't go to church nearly as often as I should, but when I do attend, I go to the Calvary Chapel. It works for me. As for the question: are Catholics Christians? I would say yes, but with too much excess baggage. But they do preach the gospel, and they do recognize that Christ died for our sins. That is essential to Christianity. I think if we focused on Christ, and our own shortcommings in life, instead focusing on how wrong everyone else's beliefs are, we would be better Christians, and better people overall. Better to leave it up to God to decide who's going to hell.

Some are and some are not.the same as any church.

Yes they are though in some ways they think they are the only ones and that their rules must apply. I know several catholics that like it that way. I do know they are not big on pushing their ways on me though and I find that a big plus. They are somewhat controling with their own though. Many are fine but I have friends who raised catholic have almost pushed religion away completely because of the strictness.

From what I've learned, Catholisism is Christian Branch, one of many. I've always wondered why Christianity has so many branches. In Islam, the are two, in Buddism only one, same thing in Judaism, but in Christianity - twenty? more?

Many Catholics are Christians. Many Christians are Catholic. At this point in time it's not so important what denomination you are. What's important to Him is whether or not you study to show yourself approved. He wants you to know Him and the only way to do that is to read His word, written of by the prophets and inspired by The Holy Spirit.

For the love of mud - I'm really getting pretty worn out with people who try to take Jesus Christ and put him in their own little box and claim Him as their own. YES, Catholics ARE Christians - please write that down and try to remember it. You can quote scripture until you're blue in the face and you will never change that fact. The simple fact remains that if you put your faith in Jesus Christ - which TRUST ME Catholics DO - then you are heading in the right direction. Do you honestly think that God is going to say, well, yes you did profess faith in my son but, hmmmm, looks like you didn't follow rules 8, 9 or 12 so sorry, you're out? All this I'm saved and you're goting to Hell stuff is only going to get your bowels tied up in knots. And while we're on the subject, what has always irked me about the Born Again easy breezy drive thru philosophy is just how fast you think this "experience" can happen. Faith without works is dead - and in my experience I've seen a lot of talk and ve... Read more

If they put their faith in the death,burial and resurection of Jesus on the cross as payment for their sins past,present and future then they are christians. But there are baptists,methodists etc that don't actually believe it either. I don't believe that certains sins will stop me from entering heaven like a divorce or that I can be saved but needing to be cleansed in a place called purgatory.

In comparing Roman Catholicism with the Word of God, there are many differences and contradictions. The Roman Catholic church teaches many doctrines that are in disagreement with what the Bible says. These include worship of saints or Mary, prayer to saints or Mary, the pope / papacy, justification by faith plus works, infant baptism, transubstantiation, and purgatory. While Catholics claim Scriptural support for these concepts, none of these teachings have any foundation in the clear teaching of Scripture. In fact, they all clearly contradict what the Bible declares. The most crucial of these is the Roman Catholic belief that faith in Christ alone is not enough to save a person. The official position of the Roman Catholic Church is that a person must believe in Jesus Christ AND be baptized AND receive Catholic communion AND obey the decrees of the Roman Catholic Church AND etc., etc., etc. Catholic divergence from the Bible on this most crucial of issues means that yes, Catholicism is... Read more

Of course "Catholics" (who vary immensely as individuals) are Christian.However,this does not change the fact that the Catholic Church was founded by imperial Rome for purely political reasons.There was no great "spiritual" motive.The Romans saw Christianity growing rapidly and threatening their nation-buliding,militaristic ways so they co-opted it in order to take advantage of the converts.These were the same people who fed "Christians" to Lions for entertainment.

Catholics who really put their faith and trust in Jesus are Christians. I think they need to watch that they do not practice the idolatry that plaques the Catholic Church, but just being Catholic does not mean that someone is not Christian, anymore than calling oneself a Catholic makes on a Christian either. I do wish more than anything that the Catholic Church would get rid of some of their un and even anti Biblical traditions, because those of us in that protested these traditions would love be reunited.

Well, as a non-Christian I don't think it's my place to take sides in this argument, but it does seem that the Catholics were the original Christians and the Protestants Johnny-come-lately Christians.

The short answer is: It is indisputable that Catholics are Christians (i.e., believers in and followers of Christ). At the risk of oversimplifying, Christ (the Savior/Redeemer that the Jews waited for, or are still waiting for because they have not accepted him as the Messaiah) was a Jew; his earliest followers were also Jewish, but because they believed in him, became known as Christians (i.e., followers of The Christ). Christ designated Peter as his successor to lead those who believed in him, and Catholics claim an unbroken line of succession from Peter (ergo, to Christ). All Catholics are Christian, but not all Christians are Catholics - elementary logic. As a Catholic, I respect the beliefs of others, Christian and non-Christian alike, but I really do get rankled by some of the rather doctrinaire, dogmatic, holier-than-thou remarks by some of the other Christians on this site who find it great sport to slam Catholic beliefs, or to infer that Catholicism is a religion but that... Read more

Why wouldn't they be?

They most certainly are,they were dubbed christians(follower of Christ)by the pagans in which the Holy Catholic Church has uninterupted traditions for two thousand years!Also gave countless martyrs,and brought about the fall of the great roman empire,the word catholic(universal)was only used to distinguish them from others who broke away from Her cloister.She has suffered much of Her sons and daughters to bring souls to God i.e it is easy almost effortless to bible bash,hand out pamphlets,speak openly about your religious views with non-believers in countries or nations that are already fundamentaly christian;but it is another thing to preach the gospels to the visigoths,norsemen,native american indians,romans,japanese,etc.. plus smuggle in priests to communist Russia and China to keep strong the remaining members of Her flock(true shepards).She is also the only church that claims to be infallible.It is said the C.C did nothing to save the jewish people during WWII,quite the contrary t... Read more

Yes, the ORIGINAL Christians, as a matter of fact.

Only an issue to intolerant fundamentalists who have clearly betrayed their prophet's sense of tolerance and acceptance. Has there ever been a prophet so poorly followed and whose words have been less understood than Yeshua?

Yes and no. On the whole, they are meant to be a Christian branch and I believe within the Catholic community, there are real Christians who will go to Heaven. But on the whole, there are a lot of Catholic beliefs that are heretical eg the worship of Virgin Mary. For a start, Mary is no longer a Virgin because she had other children after Jesus and secondly, the Bible warns us not to worship anyone apart from God. They are worshipping Mary as being almost equal to God, and that is idolatry. Plus they have their own interpretations of the Bible and have other weird beliefs. There are some Catholics which are forbidden to marry which is unbiblical and explains why there is homosexuality in the Catholic community (especially amongst the old head masters and male priests).

I don't think so and they're certainly no role models. Why are many Roman Catholic priests committing sick acts like child molestation? Don't ask me, because I don't care for the religion.