Differences of Catholics and Protestants

There are over 100,000 different protestant denominations, all teaching slightly different messages and interpretations of Scripture. Some of which are quite clearly contradictory, which concludes that they can't all be right! One thing that most Protestant denominations agree on is the fact that the Catholic Church (which has been round for almost 2,000 years) is wrong and sometimes diabolical. Below is a short table outlining some of the different teachings between Catholicism and some Protestant denominations. For a more complete review please read Differences between Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox.

CATHOLICISM	PROTESTANTISM
Belief that both faith and good works are necessary for salvation. Gal 5:6; Ja 2:24.	Belief that faith alone is necessary for salvation. This is a misinterpretation of Rom 3:28
Belief in Purgatory. 2Mac 12:45; 1Cor 3:15 / 1Pet 1:7 speak of a "cleansing fire".	Denial of Purgatory, either one goes straight to Heaven or Hell - in spite of Matt 5:26
Veneration of Mary the Mother of God, assumed into Heaven, ever virgin, and immaculately conceived (conceived without sin).	Varying acceptance/non-acceptance of Marian dogmas despite some acceptance by the 3 famous Protestant Founders.
Belief in 7 Sacraments instituted by Christ: Jn 3:5, Act 8:14, Jn 6:52, Jn 20:22, Mk 6:12, Lk 22:19, Mk 10:7	Non-acceptance of the Catholic sacramental system in spite of a Scriptural basis for all 7 Sacraments.
Belief in Scripture, Tradition and the Magisterium (teaching body of the Church) (Mat 16:17).	Belief in the Bible alone being the sole rule of faith despite 1 Tim 3:15.
Abortion and euthanasia prohibited.	Abortion and euthanasia accepted by many Protestant churches, in certain circumstances.
Belief in the Real Presence (Mat 26:26) and Sacrifice of the Mass (1Cor 11:23).	Denial of the Mass and Holy Communion despite Jn 6:48 & Jn 6:54
Infant baptism encouraged. Lk 3:21.	Infant baptism often discouraged in spite of Acts 16:15 and 1 Cor 1:16.
Belief in indulgences Eph 4:22, 23	Denial of indulgences, as there is no belief in Purgatory
Nowhere in the Bible does it teach the Bible as the sole rule of faith.	Belief in the Bible alone as the sole rule of faith. Even though this is a contradiction to 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Divorce and re-marriage prohibited whilst spouse is alive. Mat 19:3	Divorce and re-marriage allowed (even though it may be discouraged) despite Mk 10:11.