12. How did Protestantism differ from the Roman Catholic Church?

Protestantism differs from the Roman Catholic Church in several key aspects:

1. Authority: Protestantism emphasizes the authority of the Bible as the sole source of religious guidance, while Catholicism includes both the Bible and Church tradition as sources of authority.
2. Beliefs: There are doctrinal differences, such as the Protestant belief in justification by faith alone (sola fide) versus Catholic emphasis on faith and good works for salvation.
3. Sacraments: Protestants generally recognize fewer sacraments than Catholics, typically only baptism and communion, whereas Catholicism acknowledges seven sacraments.
4. Hierarchy: Protestant churches often have a more decentralized structure without a single authoritative figure like the Pope in Catholicism.
5. Worship Practices: Worship styles and practices, such as the use of religious imagery, rituals, and the role of clergy, can differ between Protestant denominations and the Roman Catholic Church.

These differences contributed to the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, which led to the establishment of various Protestant denominations separate from the Roman Catholic Church.