Uhhh, just a question

[disykat]

If someone asked me what religion I am, I would generally say Christian. My denomination is Lutheran. I guess I sort of agree with the OP. However, I'm sure there are times where I might refer to being Lutheran as my religion. It's just semantics to me - though I do agree that Catholics are Christians and that Catholism is their denomination.

I think, in general, that Catholics tend to more closely identify with their denomination because there are some basic differences between them and the other Christian churches that are lumped under the "Protestant" label.

As a Lutheran I could call myself Christian, or Protestant, or Lutheran. Catholics can say Christian or Catholic - there are less deliniations.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Yes, where is Jenny?

If asked my religion, I say "Methodist"...........I don't say, the Methodist branch of the Christian religion...........

I think it's because in this country Christianity is the default religion..I don't mean that in a bad way..This country is majority Christian...Some places more than other. SO when someone asks "What religion are you" most people know they mean what Christian denomination are you and answer with Catholic, Baptist ,Presbeterian etc... I don't think it's a bad thing or that iit means that Catholics or Baptists think they are above other religions.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Oh well, I guess I'm just a troublemaker.
Some say po-tay-toes, some say po-tah-toes... right?
I guess I was trying to just make the point that technically Catholicism is a denomination of Christianity and not it's own religion... which, as far as my knowledge goes, is a fact. I am not saying you are wrong if you want to consider yourself your own religion if your'e Catholic, it's just technically correct. Oh well.

Here is a definition of Religion

a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices

Catholicism certainly meets this criteria as it has it's own set of beliefs and practices..Yes,it may share similarities with other Christian religions,but it is still it's own religion...You are using a very specific defination of religion and the reality is both are correct... Christianity is a religion,it's is also made up of other religions/denominations