The confusion started centuries ago, when Protestants emerged from the Catholic Church after Martin Luther challenged the church over the sale of indulgences. (interesting part of history to look into)
Both groups believe Jesus is the Messiah. I think of Catholics and Protestants as different branches of the same Christian faith.
Yeah, Catholicism is the oldest Christian denomination and also the largest - it makes up about half of all Christians worldwide. So Catholics are definitely Christian.
I’ve attended Baptist services, Methodist churches, Pentecostal gatherings, and non-denominational worship centers. They are very different from one another, but these groups, including Catholics, follow Jesus and believe in the core Gospel message - we’ve splintered over practices, interpretations, and traditions.
Your friends probably fell out because one sees Catholicism as THE original Christian church, and the other side thinks certain Catholic practices (praying to saints, the role of the Pope, etc.) are a departure from biblical Christianity.
It’s sad how much we Christians divide over secondary issues when we share the same Lord.
Catholics have extra books in their Bible that Protestants removed. Martin Luther questioned these books during the Reformation. If I remember correctly, Catholic Bibles include the Deuterocanonical books (Tobit, Maccabees, etc.)
One big difference is salvation: Catholics believe that faith and works matter. And Protestants believe it’s faith alone. That’s probably where some of the arguments between your friends come from. But all Christians have a relationship with God - they only have a different approach to church structure and practice.
Catholics also pray to Mary and the saints as intercessors, which most Protestants don’t do - they pray directly to God alone. Catholics have seven sacraments (Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, Confession, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick), but most Protestant churches recognize only two (Baptism and Communion).
There are different spiritual rhythms, but that doesn’t mean Catholics are not Christians.
Both Catholics and Protestants love Jesus and call Him Lord. That’s what matters most.
I hope your friends find peace through Christ.