Catholicism is not Christianity?

If a Catholic said such a thing then they need to go back to CCD, if a Protestant said such a thing then they need consult their Bible. Catholics believe in faith through Jesus Christ, so of course we are Christians.

In my view, what makes you a Christian is just professing faith in Jesus Christ and believing he is who he said he was and the message he brought. All the rest is just decoration.

Catholics don't say such things. They know better. Protestants often say such things. They often don't know any better.

Nani-Day said:

Ive heard Catholics and protestants make this claim before. Do any of the posters here agree with that? If so, why is that?

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Jesus is my Lord and Savior. The idea that I, as a Catholic, am not a Christian is incorrect.

sylverpiano said:

Jesus is my Lord and Savior. The idea that I, as a Catholic, am not a Christian is incorrect.

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And the first completed Christian Bible, the Latin Vulgate, was a Catholic Bible. Protestants got their Bible from the Catholic Church except that the leaders of the Protestant Revolution decided to throw out 7 books from it.

Nani-Day said:

Ive heard Catholics and protestants make this claim before. Do any of the posters here agree with that?

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It's nonsense, and I've never heard any Catholic say it.

While we Orthodox most definitely disagree with Catholicism and see one another in schism, the notion of Catholicism not being Christian is beyond the pale of absurdity! They are Trinitarian, sacramental, believe in the Councils, etc. That 'are you Catholic or Christian?' question is goofy....

chilehed said:

It's nonsense, and I've never heard any Catholic say it.

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I have heard nominal Catholics say that

many in our culture use the word "Christian" as being synonymous with "Protestant"
so some ignorant Catholics might say "I am not Christian, I am Catholic"

but I doubt they know very much about Catholicism, Protestantism or even Christianity in general

to the OP
the doctrines of the Catholic Church are the pure teachings of Christianity
everything else is either "Christianity + other doctrines" or "Christianity - doctrines"

I have never heard a Catholic say they're not Christian. If they had only attended one class, they would know that. I try and set Protestants right when they say Catholics are not Christian, regardless of my beliefs. It's absurd.

Catholics were the first Christians. Some Protestants don't believe that.

That would be debatable, but they are Christians for sure!

AvilaSurfer said:

Catholics were the first Christians. Some Protestants don't believe that.

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LivingWordUnity said:

If a Protestant would read the writings of the early Church fathers he would discover that they were all Catholics.

“You must follow the bishop as Jesus Christ follows the Father, and the presbytery as you would the Apostles. Reverence the deacons as you would the command of God. Let no one do anything of concern to the Church without the bishop. Let that be considered a valid Eucharist which is celebrated by the bishop, or by one whom he appoints. Wherever the bishop appears, let the people be there, just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.”

—St. Ignatius of Antioch
Letter to the Smyrnaeans, 8:1-2, AD 107
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And here are some quotes from St. Cyprian, an Eastern early Church father and martyr, about the role of St. Peter:

"Peter also, to whom the Lord commends His sheep to be fed and guarded, on whom He placed and founded the Church..." - St. Cyprian, Treatise II

"Peter also, upon whom by the Lord's condescension the Church was founded..." -St. Cyprian, Treatise IX

"...Since Rome from her greatness plainly ought to take precedence of Carthage..." - St. Cyprian, Epistle 48

"Nevertheless, Peter, upon whom by the same Lord the Church had been built, speaking one for all, and answering with the voice of the Church, says..." - St. Cyprian, Epistle 54

"After such things as these, moreover, they still dare— a false bishop having been appointed for them by, heretics— to set sail and to bear letters from schismatic and profane persons to the throne of Peter, and to the chief church whence priestly unity takes its source; and not to consider that these were the Romans whose faith was praised in the preaching of the apostle, to whom faithlessness could have no access." - St. Cyprian, Epistle 54

"...Peter speaks there, on whom the Church was to be built, teaching and showing in the name of the Church..." - St. Cyprian, Epistle 68

"...and the Church founded by Christ the Lord upon Peter, by a source and principle of unity, is one also." - St. Cyprian, Epistle 69

"...For neither did Peter, whom first the Lord chose, and upon whom He built His Church..." - St. Cyprian, Epistle 70

"For first of all the Lord gave that power to Peter, upon whom He built the Church, and whence He appointed and showed the source of unity— the power, namely, that whatsoever he loosed on earth should be loosed in heaven." - St. Cyprian, Epistle 72

"...Moreover, Peter himself, showing and vindicating the unity..." - St. Cyprian, Epistle 73
​

Source link for St. Ignatius of Antioch quote:
The Early Church Fathers I Never Saw” by Marcus Grodi

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Nani-Day said:

I agree. I was hoping to shed some light on this but it seems that nobody on this board is aware of it.

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You mean in this subforum? I think you'll see most if not all the people commenting are saying generally the same thing I am. Catholics don't say others aren't Christian. Protestants are Christian but they (meaning Catholics) do believe the fullness of truth is in Catholicism. They don't forcefully preach that though.

chilehed said:

It's nonsense, and I've never heard any Catholic say it.

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I have. My grandmother and aunt would always say they weren't Christians. They were Catholic.... usually pronounced katlick.

Nani-Day said:

Yes, it always seemed like a crazy question to me. I can understand why some protestants may say it, but ive heard catholics proudly distinguishing themselves from the group by saying "im not a Christian, im catholic"

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Yes! Why is that?

Those who do read the early church fathers' books, do become Catholics eventually. That's what I've heard. But most of them do not want to read anything but the bible. Though all the Bible teaches is that Catholic Church is right in all it's teachings.

Anyways, yes, Protesters don't admit we are Christians. And if a Catholic admits the same then they are in serious need to study the faith.

In my understanding, everyone who believes in the Holy Trinity is a Christian.