On the other hand, the Protestantism religion is a Christianity movement that started in 16th Century in Northern Europe. Protestantism emerged between the 16th and 17th centuries after a series of European religious wars (Casanova, 2018). Religion gained much influence in the European community’s economic, social, political, and cultural life. The word Protestant originated from “Diet of Speyer” (1529), a time when Charles V, who was then the Roman Catholic emperor in Germany, repealed the establishment of “Diet of Speyer” (1526), which permitted every leader to decide either to administer the Edict of Worms (Casanova, 2018). Many believers came out to protest against this decision in 1529 on behalf of six Lutheran princes and fourteen free cities in Germany. The Protestants claimed that the majority decision did not abide with them since they were part of it. This paper discusses the Comparison between the Catholic religion and Protestantism. It will also analyze the relevance in the modern world and the positive takeaway of the Comparison.
Similarities
Both Catholic and Protestantism seem to have a common similarity in their religious practices. Both believe and have the same places of worship, which they call Chapel, Church, or Cathedral. A Church is where Christians visit every Sunday or Saturday to Pray, worship, and give their offerings to God. Both religions believe in the existence of Jesus Christ through virgin Birth and the crucifixion of Christ through Crucifixion. Also, the two religions affirm that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ. Also, they believe that Jesus is consubstantial, meaning God the Son, Father, and God the Holy Spirit, who have dwelt among the Christians (Forlenza, 2019).
Both denominations believe in the teaching of the Bible or Holy Scriptures written by people filled with the Holy Spirit. The Bible was regarded as the word of God, which contains instructions and fundamental laws about God. Christians follow these laws like the Ten Commandments since God set them, learning through the Bible. Both religions believe in the Bible to guide them on what God wants them to stay and the moral principles that help them in their lives. Also, during worship and ceremonies such as burial, marriage, or baptism, to demonstrate particular meaning during a specific ritual (Casanova, 2018).
Differences
In Germany, many reformations led to deep hatred that separated the Protestant and Catholic believers for decades. It all began when Martin Luther King attempted to reform the Catholic Church, but his attempts led to a schism in two religions. First, the Catholic religion believes and traces its origin from the Apostles and Jesus Christ. Some Proponents of Jesus Christ like Simeon and Peter, who later become the Papacy after Christ. On the contrary, Protestantism believes that their religion started from protests or movements. Also, there is a different view of understanding the Church in both denominations (Wilkins-Laflamme, 2016).
The term ‘Catholic’ has a sound meaning, “all-embracing,” and the Catholic believers values themselves as the biggest Church in the world under the leadership of the Pope. On the other hand, Protestant, also called “Evangelical, “translates to “according to the Gospel,” came from Reformations and did not make the united Church (Wilkins-Laflamme, 2016). The Protestants are not led by Pope since there are thousands of other denominations in the world considered equal. Also, the Catholics have Cardinals, Monks, Priests, Deacons, and women as Nuns. In contrast, each Church’s Protestants has independent Church pastors, Deacons, Archbishops, and Elders. The Catholics follow Jesus Christ’s teachings written in Old and New Testament scriptures. The heads are situated in Rome Vatican and strictly follow Catechism. They believe that Catholicism is original and the first Christian Church in the world (Wilkins-Laflamme, 2016).
Contrary, the Protests also believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ as written in New and Old testaments. They argue that Catholic Church branched from the original Christian Church but became Corrupt (Wilkins-Laflamme, 2016). Also, catholic believes that Christianity is the true religion, catholic is the original Church, Judaism is a true religion but doesn’t believe Jesus is the true Messiah. They also have a notion that Muslims and Pagan are false religions. In contrast, the Protestants believe that Judaism is a true religion, and Jesus is the Messiah. They argue that Paganism and Muslim are wrong denominations. The Protestants acknowledge their sins through Jesus Christ, while Catholics confess their sins through Priests and Mary Mother of Jesus (Pittman, 2014).
Another difference is that Catholics demonstrate spiritual offices in Eucharist or what they refer to as the Holy Communion. This indicates a rite honoring the Last Supper Christ held with Apostles before his Death or Crucifixion. In Catholicism, the ritual is sanctified by the priest, like Jesus did Bread, and Wine reflects the blood and the body of Jesus Christ. Other non-Catholic believers may not participate or perform this ritual. On the other hand, every person baptized at Protestant Church is welcomed to the last supper. The process of the Eucharist has a different meaning between the Protestants and the Catholic believers. The Bread that the disciples consumed embody Christ. The believer performs the ritual In the Protestants denomination in remembrance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Pittman, 2014).
Additionally, Catholic believers take part in the liturgical life of the Church. However, individual prayers and devotions are usually a matter of self-preference. When we come to Protestants believers, they engage in Bible teachings and studies, pray together, and worship with other Church Believers. Also, there is no purgatory in Protestant believers, meaning that those who sin will end in Hell, while those who are dedicated and trust in Jesus will go to Paradise or Heaven. Contrary, in Catholic believers, there is eternal salvation in Heaven and damnation in Hell. There is also a third temporal state of Purgatory before going to Heaven (Von Habsburg, 2016).
The positive take ways
The Comparison between Catholic and Protestant denominations helps reveal God and how each religion worshiped God. For example, both religions reflect and affirm the Birth of Jesus Christ and the death through Crucifixion. Both religions acknowledge that there is an eternal life of human beings even after death. The Comparison helps people to know God and grow their spiritual power even more by trusting in God. Also, the Comparison helps to see the origin of each denomination and how it came to be (Cantoni, 2012).
Also, through comparing the two denominations, we understand how the transition of religion or Christianity impacted different aspects of life. For instance, historically, the Origin of Protestants reflects an era of Reformation in a social, religious, economic, and political revolution that started when Catholic Monk Martin Luther asserted that Catholicism was corrupt and decided to reform it through his 95 Thesis (Becker et al. 2016).
Many people thought the Protestant Reformation was about religion during this time, but it hard surpassed belief. Protestantism was more of the intellectual platform upon which development and revolution of enlightenment and science arose. The Reformation led to modern skepticism, individualism, capitalism, and democracy. Furthermore, the Reformation influenced the modern academic discipline in social sciences such as history, Philosophy, and Theology (Stegmueller, et al. 2012).
The relevance of Catholic and Protestant religion
In today’s world, religion is still essential to individuals, communities, and nations as well. The work of the Catholic denomination today is to carry one the work that Jesus Christ left on earth, such as helping those I need, sharing God’s word, and obeying God’s commands. The role and the work of Catholic missionaries today is to evangelize and spread the word of God and convert people into the Catholic faith. Also, in 1922 Catholic established a mission platform to handle the issue of poverty and encourage equality through helping needy people, evangelism, and raising money for educating impoverished people. The Catholic religion is still one of the most significant religions globally and has acquired many followers globally (Garelli, 2013).
The protestant Reformation contributed to modern literacy and education in society. Research shows that the concepts of early education and preschool In Europe grew out of Protestant reformation. Also, children’s and women’s education have escalated a few decades after the Reformation of Protestants. Martin Luther led the Reformation and translated the Bible into different vernacular and local languages that all people could understand. The translation of the Bible was critical in spreading the Gospel and cultivating more excellent knowledge about the existence of God. The revolution of the Protestants has changed authority from Church towards the scriptures. Additionally, the Reformation on Sola Scriptura influenced the formulation of the American constitution, where the written manuscript succeeds and delimits leaders’ decrees (Ryrie, 2017).
In conclusion, we have evaluated the primary Comparison between Catholic and protestant denominations from the above analysis. We have also learned that Catholic religion originated from the Apostles and the teaching of Jesus Christ while Protestants began as a reformation In Europe. Both religions believe in God as the maker of the earth and manifest himself through the Holy Scriptures. Also, both denominations affirm the Birth and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and believe in the Judaism religion. However, Pope leads some distinctions, such as Catholics as Papacy, while Protestants include many denominations thus considered equal. The Comparison of Catholics and Protestants has helped us understand the origin of religion and how faith impacted people’s social, spiritual, economic, and cultural practices. Also, both denominations are still crucial and relevant globally as the Gospel continues to spread across the nations.
References
Becker, S. O., Pfaff, S., & Rubin, J. (2016). Causes and consequences of the Protestant Reformation. Explorations in Economic History, 62, 1-25.
Cantoni, D. (2012). Adopting a new religion: the case of Protestantism in 16th century Germany. The Economic Journal, 122(560), 502-531.
Casanova, J. (2018). Globalizing Catholicism and the return to a “universal” church (pp. 121-143). Routledge.
Forlenza, R. (2019). New Perspectives on Twentieth-Century Catholicism. Contemporary European History, 28(4), 581-595.
Garelli, F. (2013). Flexible catholicism, religion and the church: the italian case. Religions, 4(1), 1-13.
Pittman, L. (2014). Sacred space reborn: Protestant monasteries in twentieth century Europe. The Changing World Religion Map, 593-621. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9376-6_30
Ryrie, A. (2017). Protestants: the radicals who made the modern world. William Collins.
Stegmueller, D., Scheepers, P., Roßteutscher, S., & De Jong, E. (2012). Support for Redistribution in Western Europe: Assessing the role of religion. European Sociological Review, 28(4), 482-497.
Von Habsburg, M. (2016). Catholic and Protestant Translations of the Imitatio Christi, 1425–1650: from late medieval classic to early modern bestseller. Routledge.
Wilkins-Laflamme, S. (2016). Protestant and catholic distinctions in secularization. Journal of Contemporary Religion, 31(2), 165-180.
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