Faith, whether we speak of religious faith or not, is one of the most powerful forces as it facilitates having and maintaining hope in a better world. One of the best known types of faith is religious , being a type of faith that tries to give an explanation to the world and configure a framework, some values and/or some norms of action for those who adhere to it.

Throughout history and even today there have been and are a great variety of religious denominations, although nowadays monotheistic ones tend to predominate.

Of these, Christianity is the most widespread throughout the world, especially in terms of Catholic doctrine. On this last point, some people have sometimes identified Christianity and Catholicism as synonymous.

However, the truth is that although both terms are related they do not completely overlap, there are some differences between Catholicism and other types of Christianity. That is why throughout this article we will see the differences between Christian and Catholic .

Main differences between Christian and Catholic

Being a Christian and being a Catholic is as we have said something that may or may not go together, not being all Christians necessarily Catholic. Below we will show some of the main differences.

1. Specificity

One of the possible differences is the level of specificity that both terms have. Although Catholicism is part of Christianity, there are other types of Christianity besides it: Protestants or Anglicans, for example, are other known branches of the same Christian religion.

Thus, while all Catholics are Christians, not all Christians are Catholics . The taxonomic level of both concepts is different, since Catholicism is a branch of Christianity.

2. The interpretation of the Bible

One of the main differences between Catholicism and other branches of Christianity has to do with the type of interpretation that is made of the holy book of Christianity, the Bible.

Catholicism offers a canonical and official view of the events narrated in the Bible, indicating a concrete stance and interpretation of it that the believer should believe. However, other branches consider that the vision of Catholicism greatly limits the role of the believer , inviting a freer and more open interpretation of the sacred text.

3. The Virgin Mary

All of Christianity has an immense respect for the figure of the Virgin, but her role in the faith can vary greatly.

Catholicism sees it as a sacred entity , which by itself is an object of veneration and prayer and is imbued with a halo of divinity, besides being considered an intercessor between humanity and God. This is not without controversy, and according to some researchers it is the fruit of the polytheistic past of many communities that today are Catholic.

However, other branches of Christianity, in spite of respecting and venerating her, only contemplate her as the mother of Christ, not praying to her or to other intercessors but directly to God.

  • Maybe I’ll ask you, “Can you be a psychologist and believe in God?”

4. The role of the saints

The idea of holiness is especially relevant to Catholicism, with the saints being those people who, because of their ethical faculties, are considered to have reached a very high level of communion with God. Until recently, the saints were considered to be interceding between humanity and divinity, being protective and guiding entities.

It is not uncommon for some prayers to be addressed to them and for relics to be kept and revered. On the other hand, it is understood that the saints are the greatest degree of proximity to God that can be reached through good works .

However, other branches of Christianity only see them as possible examples, but consider their veneration and worship to be generally unnecessary.

5. The Church and its leader

Another difference between Catholics and other types of Christians can be found in the role of the Church and the consideration of the authority of the Church and its leader.

In the case of Catholicism the Pope is the highest leader of the Church , which is the institution that is considered to be the heir of the word of Christ, being its highest representative the heir of St. Peter. Other branches of Christianity such as Protestantism or the Anglican Church do not recognize this authority (in the latter case the king or queen is the highest ecclesiastical authority).

6. The sacraments

A further difference can be found in the evaluation given to the sacraments . While Catholicism contemplates the need to celebrate seven (baptism, communion or eucharist, confirmation, priestly order, marriage and anointing), other branches of Christianity do not consider all of these sacraments necessary, and therefore many of these rituals are not considered sacred or meaningful.

7. Ecclesiastical Celibacy

One difference that applies primarily to those who are dedicated to the priesthood is the consideration of the need for celibacy or the impossibility of marriage or having children.

This custom is typical of the Catholic priesthood , derived from a medieval prohibition that claimed that ecclesiastical goods could not be inherited from parents to children. Other branches like Protestant, however, if they allow their priests to marry and have children.

8. Heaven, Hell and Purgatory

Another difference between Catholicism and other Christian beliefs is the conception of the existence of purgatory. Most branches of Christianity generally accept the idea of a beyond in the form of heaven for good people and hell for evil people. However in the case of Catholicism we also find the existence of purgatory , a beyond in which the believer will suffer to purge his sins until he achieves it, at which time he will be able to ascend.

In fact, there are also branches like those of Jehovah’s Witnesses who believe that there is no life beyond death-just the resurrection.

Bibliographic references:

  • Chevalier, J., Gheerbrant, A. (2009). Dictionary of Symbols, 2nd edition. Barcelona: Herder.
  • Chidester, D. (2000). Christianity: A Global History. HarperOne.
  • Kimbrough, S. T. ed. Orthodox and Wesleyan Scriptural understanding and practice. St Vladimir’s Seminary Press.