Difference between Catholic and Christian

Catholic and Christian share the same roots

Christianity is one of the most prominent religions in the globe. Within the community, there are those who label themselves as Mormons, Anglicans, or even Catholics. Is a Catholic different from a Christian? What are the differences between those who call themselves Catholic and Christian?

A Christian is someone who follows Jesus Christ. Christianity encompasses many denominations like Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, and also Catholics. Christianity is the world’s largest religion, taking up 33 percent of the global population. Christians believe in Jesus as the son of God whose arrival as the Messiah is seen prophesied in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible.

A Catholic is also a Christian, but not all Christians are Catholics. Catholics follow the Catholic denomination or religion as transmitted through different Popes who follow a succession system. Catholics are also known as Roman Catholics and make up about 60 percent of Christians.

	Catholic	Christian
Religion	Catholicism	Christianity
Branch of	Christianity	N/A
Origin	Judea	Judea
Founder/(s)	Jesus Christ and St. Peter the Apostle	Jesus Christ
Holy Bible	The Catholic Bible, based on the Septuagint; most of the content has been retained	The Holy Bible, which went through canonization; compilation of the Scriptures with changes in the New Testament over the years
Place of worship	Basilica, church, chapel, cathedral	Basilica, church, chapel, cathedral, home
Concept of God	There is one God in the form of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit	There is one God in the form of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
Belief in life after death	Salvation in heaven or damnation in hell, temporal purgatory	Salvation in heaven or damnation in hell, temporal purgatory
Belief in purgatory	Affirmed	Varies on denomination and constantly debated upon
Legislation	Papal decrees, Diocesan laws, canon laws	Based on denomination

Venn Diagram