So yes, Catholics are Christians. People can always specify differences of their religion from mainstream Christianity but technically they are Christians if they follow Christ.
The word "catholic" means liberal, broadminded, cosmopolitan. That's because early on they embraced all the religions in the Roman Empire. They associated themselves with pagans against God's clear directives not to.
Don't believe me? The research it yourself. I did.
"Christian" is the proper term for one who follows Christ; however, most members of "Christian" denominations are not Christ followers. That would likely be the case for an individual who prefers to be identified by his denomination rather than as a Christian.
I think the Catholic would just like to clarify that they are not Protestant, but in fact a Catholic. It's not that they don't believe they're Christian, but that they would like be acknowledged specifically as a Catholic because there are some differences in belief and practices. If a Catholic does say that they are not Christian, I think you should tell them to reexamine their faith, because Catholics are Christian.
The Catholic church at Rome, and the Orthodox church at Constantinople are the only two churches that are christian, everything else is schismatic or heretical.
Originally, there were five churches : Rome, Constantinople, Hippo, Alexandria, Jerusalem, but Hippo, Alexandria and Jerusalem fell to the Muslims in the first Millenium, leaving only the churches at Constantinople and Rome.
You should address Catholics & Orthodox people as Christians, and Protestants / Anglicans as Schismatics.
Catholicism is one branch of Christianity. people who insist Catholics are not Christians are just reveling in ignorance and convincing themselves that "Christian" means "people who agree with me."
I was always told that if someone said they were Christian, you shouldn't say they aren't. And if they proclaim Jesus Christ, then I really don't think they should be accused of not being one.
Society would call me an Orthodox Christian, some would acknowledge the Catholicism of the Orthodox Church.
I prefer to call myself a believer in Christ our Lord. Even my local priest agrees with this, much to my surprise.
Christian is the correct answer. Forget denominations. IF ANY CHURCH GROUP IS BASED IN SOUND BIBLICAL DOCTRINE (GOD'S INFALLIBLE WORD) WE ARE SIMPLY OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. THE CATHOLICS ARE A MORE COMPLICATED ISSUE. THE BIBLE SAYS NOTHING OF PRAYING TO ARE THRU MARY OR ANYONE ELSE. THRU CHRIST DIRECTLY ONLY!!
DO NOT BE MISLEAD BY FALSE DOCTRINES OR TEACHERS!!!
Catholicism is a type of Christianity. He may have compared it to Protestantism, which is the belief that sprung up from the Roman Catholic church.
Christian is the correct term, though.