How to Tell Catholicism from Evangelical Christianity

Christianity is a broad term that encompasses a number of different sects. Catholicism has specific beliefs and practices that are not typically seen in non-denominational forms of Christianity. Those not familiar with the Christian faith may not know that there are vast differences within the one religion.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. While all Christians believe in God and Jesus Christ as his one true son who serves as a savior, there are differences in the way Catholics worship. Catholics have a Mass service, and this practice is specific to the Catholic faith. It is a remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, where his body and blood are recreated as the bread and wine. You will only find the Mass in a Catholic Church.
2. Confession is also specific to Catholicism. While Evangelical Christianity believes that man cannot be absolved of sin by another mortal man, Catholics believe that priests are endowed with the authority to hear a sinner’s confession and recommend prayers or actions to wipe his slate clean.
3. Catholics revere Mary and give her exaltation as the mother of God. They believe she was without sin and pray to her. Evangelical Christianity teaches that only Jesus was without sin, even though they acknowledge Mary as Jesus’ mother.
4. Catholic practice includes prayers to saints. They believe that these are exalted beings who have achieved such a high standing that they have reached sainthood. Evangelical Christianity teaches that no one but God (through Jesus) should be prayed to.
5. You will not likely see Jesus hanging on a cross in an Evangelical Christian church, but you will see it in a Catholic Church. This is due to a fundamental belief in Evangelical Christianity that once Jesus died on the cross for our sins, the deed was done and that to show him on the cross is to say that he is still there suffering for us. Catholics believe that showing Jesus that way is a perfectly good reminder of what he did for the people.
6. Catholicism often uses icons and other symbolic statues or items, such as rosary beads as part of their worship. Evangelical Christianity believes that religions icons of any form are forbidden, according to the Bible.
7. The general atmosphere in a Catholic Church is that of solemnity. The same prayers are typically repeated during each Mass and the music usually consists of hymns. Evangelical churches do not usually have a set prayer for each meeting and will usually just focus on a chosen topic from the Bible. The music may be more upbeat and people may even clap or dance.
8. The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church and all regulations come from him. Evangelical or non-denominational Christians do not follow the Pope. They do not have a governing body. For actual services, a pastor leads the congregation just as a priest does so for the Catholic Church.