Noob Masterlist, from me to you

originally made to PWN a non denominational protestant who was moralfagging about me taking an interest in getting a Lady of Lourdes statue, now i'm going to turn it into something less obnoxious. Please ask a local Catholic priest you have any real theological questions, they have the knowledge for your questions while I'm a retard writing on my couch. But if you want to contact me for something relating to my writing (in good faith of course), feel free to contact me, thanks.

Main differences between Catholicism and Protestantism

Authority Sacraments Salvation Church Mary & the Saints

A Protestant is a Christian who belongs to any of the Western branches of Christianity that broke away from the Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation in the 16th century. This includes denominations like Lutheran, Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, and many others.
In simple terms: If you're a Christian but not Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox, then you're generally considered Protestant!
What sets Protestants apart from Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians is their rejection of centralized human authority (like the Pope or a single hierarchical tradition) and their core emphasis on:

How did Protestantism start?

Before the Catholic Bible was officially confirmed at the Council of Trent in 1546, the Church already recognized most of its books as Scripture. Yet Martin Luther disputed several of those books and wrote a number of opinion pieces about Christian teaching, the Church, and related matters.

Luther sent his theses to his direct superior, Archbishop Albrecht, and Pope Leo X tasked theologians with examining Luther’s arguments, not merely to refute him but to see which of his points might have merit. The Church objected to only 41 of the 95 theses and asked Luther to recant the writings that were wrong; when he refused, he was excommunicated. For the rest, the Church effected change in line with the parts of Luther’s Theses that were accurate.

Luther’s 1517 challenge to papal authority and Catholic doctrine helped spark the Reformation, a movement that eventually led to the creation of more than 30,000 Christian denominations, many breaking away not only from the Catholic Church but also from one another over even small differences in interpreting theology. Catholicism still practices indulgences, obtained through specific pious acts like prayer, confession, Communion, and good works, offering a lessening of temporary punishment for sins already forgiven, not salvation itself.

This started a schism and different branches (30,000 different denominations) were organized.

Are Catholic and Protestantism really that different?

You worship the same God!

Catholics have 7 sacraments, Protestants have 2 sacraments. Even the "closest to Catholicism" Lutheran Protestants

Catholics and Protestants do worship the same God. We have the same books, mostly same fundamental beliefs, but we differ significantly on doctrines and practices. When I was considering Orthodoxy, Catholicism, or staying Protestant was:

I knew that the filioque was true, and the immaculate conception isn't a protestant belief but when I read Exodus 40:35, Moses could not enter the tent of meeting (tabernacle) because the cloud of God’s glory rested on it and filled the interior. Jesus Christ is considered the supreme revelation and embodiment of the glory of God. Mary physically could not have Jesus if she was sinful. She was Graced for God's plan.

Protestants reject veneration to Mary, confusing it as worship.

Latria God alone Full worship and adoration — reserved for the Holy Trinity
Dulia Saints and angels Honor and respect — veneration, not worship
Hyperdulia Mary (Mother of God) Highest honor of any created being, but still not worship
Catholics ask Mary to intercede, like asking a friend to pray for you, which is ultimately relying on Christ.

Having photos of her = photos of a family member, or a friend on your wall. Do you worship them?
if praying to Mary, and Mary apparitions were evil, Our Lady of Guatemala converted millions to Christianity. Why would evil, who fear Mary more than any of the saints do that?

Why have saints at all?

Saints show that ordinary humans can follow the narrow path to heaven and imitate Jesus. We can’t all relate to Jesus’ perfect life, but Saints show that imperfect humans can still live faithfully.

Saint Peter Denied Jesus 3 times Restored as leader of the apostles Matthew 26:69–75; John 21:15–19
Saint Paul (Saul of Tarsus) Persecuted Christians / Murderer Called as Apostle to the Gentiles Acts 9:1–19
Saint Matthew (Levi) Tax collector (greedy oppressor) Became apostle and evangelist Matthew 9:9–13
Saint Augustine of Hippo Immoral lifestyle, theft, paganism Converted, became Doctor of the Church Confessions (Book I–IX)
Saint Moses the Black Robber, violent past Converted, became desert monk and martyr Church tradition / Desert Fathers
Saint Dismas (the Good Thief) Criminal / thief Saved by faith on the cross Luke 23:39–43
Saint Mary of Egypt Prostitute, sinful life Repented, lived as hermit in the desert Church tradition / Life of Saints
Saint Francis of Assisi Worldly life, vanity, indulgence Radical conversion, founded Franciscan Order Fioretti / Church biographies
Saint Monica Lived with pagan husband, early struggles Persistent prayer, converted her son Augustine Confessions / Church tradition

Personal favorite saints you should totally look into:
Bernadette Soubirous
Clare of Assisi
Olga of Kyiv

Sources

The NABRE Bible

Luke 1:28 – Angel greets Mary: “Hail, full of grace”
Revelation 5:8 – Saints intercede with prayers like incense before God
Revelation 8:3–4 – Example of saints’ prayers rising to God
Hebrews 12:1 – Saints as a cloud of witnesses inspiring the faithful

2 Maccabees 12:44–46 – Prayers for the dead for atonement of sins
1 Corinthians 3:15 – Some will be saved, yet so as through fire (purification)

TO DO/ADD/EDIT: