20+ Differences Between Christianity and Catholicism (explained)

Christianity and Catholicism, although originating from the same belief, differ in their practice and belief, despite the number of similarities that can be pointed out between them. 

Both are centered around The Almighty Jesus Christ, the Bible, and the Church as the place of worship; however, several unnoticed differences are spelled out.

Thus, although both the constructs are based on the Christian religion, a blurred line between the two must be cleared out to differentiate between the two schools of thought.

Key Differences Between A Christianity And Catholicism

Christianity

  1. The construct of Christianity does not follow a system of hierarchy.
  2. The construct of Christianity is a religion having several denominations.
  3. The construct of Christianity has over 2.5 billion followers across the world.
  4. All Christians cannot identify as Catholics.
  5. The concept of Christianity has three original languages, namely, Aramaic, Common Greek, and Hebrew.
  6. The concept of Christianity is based upon various forms of laws and legislation due to its many denominations.

Catholicism

  1. The construct of Catholicism follows a system of hierarchy.
  2. The construct Catholicism is one of the various denominations of Christianity.
  3. The construct of Catholicism has over 1.33 billion followers across the world.
  4. All Catholics are Christians and, thus, can identify as Christians who are Catholics.
  5. The concept of Catholicism has three original languages, namely, Latin and Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew.
  6. The concept of Catholicism is based upon Canon Law, Diocesan Law, and the Pepal Decree.
Key Differences Between Christianity And Catholicism

Comparison Between Christianity And Catholicism

ParametersChristianityCatholicism

Basis

The school of thought regarding the construct of Catholicism follows an orthodox system of beliefs, and they believe in visiting the church at regular intervals and strictly adhering to the literal interpretation of the bible.

It must be understood that the construct of Catholicism has branched out of Christianity, an idea of a religion that is followed by a majority of people across the world.

Authority

On the other hand, although divorce is not encouraged in Catholicism because it is looked down upon, the related concept of annulment has been made possible due to the dynamic nature of time and environment.

The school of thought regarding Christianity has three original languages: Aramaic, Common Greek, and Hebrew.

Followers

The school of thought in relation to the construct of Christianity, which is typically defined as having multiple denominations, can vary in its association with related laws and legislations due to its wide nature.

The construct of Catholicism has over 1.33 billion followers across the world, i.e., less than that of the construct of Christianity. This is because the construct of Catholicism is simply a denomination of the largest followed religion in the entirety of the globe, i.e., Christianity.

Legislation 

On the other hand, however, all individuals who identify as people belonging to the construct of Catholicism and relating to the idea cannot all be classified under the construct of Christianity.

The construct of Catholicism is a denomination of Christianity, thus having various forms of association with related laws and legislations due to its specific nature. These are based upon the Canon Law, the Diocesan Law, and the Pepal Decree.

Language

The concept of divorce or any related form of school of thought is not allowed within the context of Christianity because it is looked down upon, although it is possible that certain Christian constructs are not absolute in this direction.

The construct of Christianity has over 2.5 billion followers worldwide, i.e., more than that, the construct of Catholicism. Moreover, it is considered to be the largest followed religion in the entirety of the globe, whereas Catholicism is considered to be one branch of Christianity amongst others.

Divorce

On the other hand, however, all individuals who identify as people belonging to the construct of Catholicism and relating to the idea cannot all be classified under the construct of Christianity.

The school of thought in relation to the construct of Christianity follows an open belief system, having several interpretations of the bible and having an option not to visit the church regularly.

Beliefs

On the other hand, although divorce is not encouraged in Catholicism because it is looked down upon, the related concept of annulment has been made possible due to the dynamic nature of time and environment.

The school of thought in relation to the construct of Christianity follows an open belief system, having several interpretations of the bible and having an option not to visit the church regularly.

Identity

On the other hand, however, all individuals who identify as people belonging to the construct of Catholicism and relating to the idea cannot all be classified under the construct of Christianity.

On the other hand, however, all individuals who identify as people belonging to the construct of Catholicism and relating to the idea, cannot all be classified under the construct of Christianity.

Scope Of Christianity And Catholicism

Christianity

  1. While Christianity is an idea of religion that is followed by most people worldwide, it comprises several denominations and branches.
  2. No such authority is present in Christianity.
  3. The construct of Christianity has a free and open belief system.
Scope Of Christianity

Catholicism

  1. The construct of Catholicism has branched out of Christianity, an idea of a religion that is followed by a majority of people across the world.
  2. To be precise, the pope is considered the highest authority of the Christian order regarding Catholicism.
  3. The construct of Catholicism is strict and orthodox, and it believes that going to church regularly is the only way to receive religious salvation.
Scope Of Catholicism

The Major Differences Between Christianity And Catholicism

What Exactly Is Christianity?

The construct of Christianity is an ideology proposed by The Almighty Jesus Christ, who is considered the Messiah of God and played an important role in teaching the entirety of mankind of its sins and showing them the path of perfection and enlightenment.

Oddly, it is said that this was also prophesied in the Hebrew Bible, i.e., the Old Testament. Christianity, today, as a religion, remains one of the majorly followed religions worldwide.

What Exactly Is Catholicism?

The word ‘Catholicism’ has been traditionally derived from the Greek term, Catholikismos, which literally translates into the English meaning, ‘according to the whole.’ The father of Catholicism has often been linked with Apostle Peter.

However, catholicism is one of the many branches of Christianity, with certain differences from the original construct.

Catholics follow their religious traditions and beliefs and believe that the only path to salvation and peace is following certain religious duties, such as visiting the church regularly.

Basis

  • Christianity: It must be understood that while Christianity is an idea of religion that most people worldwide follow, it comprises several denominations and branches. 
  • Catholicism: It must be understood that the construct of Catholicism has branched out of Christianity, an idea of a religion that is followed by a majority of people across the world.

Authority

  • Christianity: The construct of Christianity does not commonly induce the concept of hierarchy. Thus, no such authority is present in the current school of thought. However, some denominations of Christianity do follow the concept.
  • Catholicism: The construct of Catholicism refers to a denomination that believes in hierarchy. To be precise, the pope is considered the highest authority of the Christian order regarding Catholicism.

Followers

  • Christianity: The construct of Christianity has over 2.5 billion followers worldwide, i.e., more than the construct of Catholicism. Moreover, it is considered to be the largest followed religion in the entirety of the globe, whereas Catholicism is considered to be one branch of Christianity amongst others.
  • Catholicism: The construct of Catholicism has over 1.33 billion followers worldwide, i.e., less than that of Christianity. This is because the construct of Catholicism is simply a denomination of the largest followed religion in the entirety of the globe, i.e., Christianity.

Legislation

  • Christianity: The school of thought in relation to the construct of Christianity, which is typically defined as having multiple denominations, can vary in association with related laws and legislations due to its wide nature.
  • Catholicism: The construct of Catholicism is a denomination of Christianity, thus having various forms of association with related laws and legislations due to its specific nature. These are based upon the Canon Law, the Diocesan Law, and the Pepal Decree.

Language

  • Christianity: The school of thought regarding the concept of Christianity is mainly comprised of three original languages, namely, Aramaic, Common Greek, and Hebrew. Moreover, it is oddly believed that the birth of Christianity is linked to the Hebrew Bible, i.e., the Old Testament, wherein prophesies of The Almighty Jesus Christ were mentioned.
  • Catholicism: The school of thought regarding the concept of Catholicism is mainly comprised of three original languages, namely, Latin and Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew.

Divorce

  • Christianity: The concept of divorce or any related form of school of thought is not allowed within the context of Christianity because it is looked down upon, although it is possible that certain Christian constructs are not absolute in this direction.
  • Catholicism: On the other hand, although divorce is not encouraged in Catholicism because it is looked down upon, the related concept of annulment has been made possible due to the dynamic nature of time and the environment.

Identity

  • Christianity: All the individuals who identify as people belonging to and relating to the Christian religion may be classified under Christianity, including those who identify as Catholics.
  • Catholicism: On the other hand, all individuals who identify as people belonging to the construct of Catholicism and relating to the idea cannot all be classified under the construct of Christianity.

Beliefs

  • Christianity: The school of thought in relation to the construct of Christianity follows an open belief system, having several interpretations of the bible and having an option not to visit the church regularly.
  • Catholicism: The school of thought regarding the construct of Catholicism follows an orthodox system of beliefs, and they believe in visiting the church at regular intervals and strictly adhering to the literal interpretation of the bible.

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1. What is the key difference between the concepts of Christianity and Catholicism?

The key difference between the Christian concepts of Christianity lies in the basis of it. 

While Christianity is an idea of religion that is followed by most people worldwide, it comprises several denominations and branches. The construct of Catholicism is one of these denominations.

Q2. Why can all Catholics be Christians, but not all Christians can be Catholics?

All Catholics may identify as Christians, but not all Christians can identify as Catholic since being a Christian is a wider term than being a Catholic.

This refers to the fact that Catholicism is simply one of the many denominations of the main branch of Christianity.

Q3. Does Christianity follow an orthodox system of the church?

No. Christianity follows an open belief system, having several interpretations of the bible and having an option not to visit the church regularly.

However, Catholicism follows an orthodox system of beliefs and believes in visiting the church regularly and strictly adhering to the literal interpretation of the bible.

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