Catholics vs Orthodox vs Protestants

[rachie421]

LOL, I now Ive mentioned this before. But as I dont think there are any others on this board, I was curious to what y'all think.

I was raised Catholic and although I do not consider myself-or ever have really-a devout follower of any form of Christianity, I will always find some level of comfort in the traditions and sacraments of that faith. However, I am also used to people making ignorant remarks or totally wrong assumptions and simply not understanding. This usually comes from the more devout Christians who seem to care more about the differences than similarities. Those in between usually could care less on how and where Catholics and Protestants disagree. In my expierence, most people, from either side, also have very little understanding on the fundamental differences and the reasons for the Reformation. Other than Martin Luther was one disgruntled German monk.

So anywho, throw out any thoughts on that subject. I'd love to hear it and discuss and possibly clear up some stuff. I know of some great websites that compare those basic differences, but I will have to go dig them up...

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ December 19, 2005 02:11 AM: Message edited by: *shortie* ]</font>

[rachie421]

Thought I would add this:

I dont know too much about Orthodox faiths to be honest so Im totally welcome to hearing anyone throw out what they know on that subject as well. We learned about it briefly in a class last winter and from what I recall, I actually agreed more with what they had to say than the others. Alas, I forgot what that was [img]redface.gif[/img] It was in regards to 'original sin' and the purpose of Jesus' sacrafice I think. Ill go dig that up too..

[sharlit]

Greek Orthodox has the best food!

Yeah, I really don't know enough about this issue to have anything to add. Oh, um, I know Greek Orthodox celebrates the Epiphany much more so than the Catholics. (My friend in HS was Greek Orthodox and she'd take the day off from our Catholic school to go to church.)

[rachie421]

Heres a link to a good comparison chart:

http://www.religionfacts.com/christi...protestant.htm

Another difference this chart does not really touch on is the idea of images in religion. In Catholicism there are lots of statues of Christ, the Virgin or other saints because it is a way of honoring them and by seeing them it keeps them in you heart and mind. But Protestants regarded this as worship of a false image back during the Reformation and do not have such things. They related it back to worshiping false gods and such. Both have good points, but being raised a Catholic I of course agree more with them.

[The Handmaid]

Thank you for the very useful information. I'm enjoying the opportunity to expand my knowledge about Christianity in a scholarly manner.

[cebula_2005]

I'm not sure I agree with that chart you gave us completely. I mean, I am considered a Protestant because everyone who isn't Catholic or Orthodox is considered a Protestant, but I don't believe in everything that chart says Protestants believe in. I do agree with the Catholics on some points, too. Of course I always felt I was just Christian.

Here's a difference my Western Civ. textbook mentioned, though. Catholics pray to the saints because they believe the saints can intervene with God on their behalf. Protestants believe you stand alone before God (with Jesus as your mediator, of course). I thought that was an interesting point. I'm not sure if this is a difference for real or not, but it is what my textbook says. (Textbooks, unlike the Bible, are fallible [img]wink.gif[/img] )

I would like to hear some more views, too.

Thanks for posting this topic, shortie!

Love in Christ,
Tra [img]smile.gif[/img]

[rachie421]

Although this chart makes some generalizations, its hitting mainly on mainstream Protestant religions. Such as Lutherans-or Catholic lite, lol-Methodists and Baptists. The other, less common Protestant religions are definitely variable. Such as; Christian Science rejects original sin and the concept of the Holy Trinity while nearly all others believe this. Non-denominational, such as your Church Tra, might also be different since it is not as common. Taking that into context, this chart is pretty darn accurate. The primary differences revolve around:

1. The concept of the church heirarchy and the Vatican-Protestants rejected this believing that there was no holy mediator between people the lord.

2. Saints and the veneration of the Virgin. To Catholics, these people are prayed to as mediators. They are holy people who can help you in your time of need and because of their high place in heaven, they can also pray for you. Or in modern speak, put in a good word for ya. Protestants rejected this, again, because of need for a mediator as well they saw the honoring of saints and Mary to be worship and only God shoud be worshipped. Its a fine line and most Protestants today still believe that.

3. Images. Go into a Catholic Church and then step into Protestant one. There is a wold of difference. Catholics like pictures and statues to have something to pray in front of and look at it. Keeping it in sight keeps it in your mind and heart. Protestants saw this as worship of a false god. Like the golden calf thing from the Old Testament.

4. Another biggie are the sacraments. I personally do not know the history on how these began, but because it was something the Church organized and not something out of the bible, Protestants rejected it. The Catholic church believes that one must carry through with these sacraments to find salvation. Baptisim, Confirmation-a ritual of becoming an adult member of the Church-Communion-done at every mass-and Confession are some of them.

5. Finally, a really important one is the concept of good works. In Catholicism, good works and faith get you into heaven. To Protestants, faith and faith alone is how one finds salavation. They believed that those with faith and filled with love for the lord would do good deeds simply because of their faith and without purposely meaning to.

On this last point, at the time of the Reformation corruption within the Church had many clergy men selling out passes that stood as good deeds and ways for other Catholics to get to Heaven. This was something that angered many devout worshippers. Not just at the concept, but at those in control as well. Which relates back to the first difference.

Anyway, those are the primary differences the best way I could sum it up.

ETA: Your welcome Tra! Whew! That was my longest post ever and no smilely faces to boot! LOL

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ December 19, 2005 05:36 PM: Message edited by: *shortie* ]</font>

[cebula_2005]

*nods head* ok, those points I can agree with as being differences.

Thanks,
Tra [img]smile.gif[/img]