(I'm Christian but not Catholic, that is why I am asking for an answer from someone who is, preferably. I'm just wondering...)
There was a lady in my philosophy class last year who said that she was Catholic. (She was raised in a Catholic home.) However, she said she didn't believe in Jesus and I thought that the Catholic faith was based on Jesus as the Son of God, our saviour, etc. (Correct me if I am wrong.) Anyways, how can someone say that they are of a group based on a certain belief, if they don't share that belief? Didn't make sense to me, but she didn't seem to think it mattered what she believed.
Is she Catholic? Is someone raised by a practicing family Catholic forever? Is being Catholic just a title that you can take, then believe whatever you want?
Just wondering, because that wasn't what I thought being Catholic means, but hey, I am no expert, only have the vaguest idea...
2006-08-11 08:22:35 · 20 answers · asked by DawnL 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
She was probably born Catholic, but as time went on, she started enforcing her own opinions and beliefs herself.
I am a catholic, born and raised, and can tell you with all certainty that the basis of Roman Catholicism is based on christianity. The church was founded by St.Peter and Paul, who were disciples of Jesus.....so I'd find it hard to believe that your classmate actually knew her religion.
If you'd really like to know what Roman Catholicism is all about, check out their website.
2006-08-11 08:29:35 · answer #1 · answered by Mondo 2 · 6⤊ 0⤋
No, Catholics are Christians and Chirstian comes from the word Christ. Christ = Jesus.
My pastor always taught us that you can be Christian and believe in Bigfoot but you CAN'T believe that Jesus was just a man.
The Christian faith is based on the knowledge that Jesus came to forgive us of our sins. I believe Jews don't think of Jesus as God, but as just a man. Maybe this is more what she is?
It only matters what is in your heart. Being raised Catholic or any other religion and even believing some of it is true does -not- mean you are of that religion.
2006-08-11 08:29:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
She can call herself Catholic but whoever does not accept all the teachings of the Catholic Church and does not follow them is not a practicing Catholic..Period.. She is a fallen away Catholic in that sense. You are correct in your assessment of acceptance of Jesus, but I might add, we believe Jesus is the 2nd person of the Blessed Trinity. Jesus is fully divine and fully human. Meaning Jesus is not just "Son of God" but He is God. The Catholics must also accept the Pope as Vicar of Christ on this earth, leader of His church and live according to the teachings of the Magesterium, which come through the Holy Spirit.
The saying once Catholic, always Catholic is valid because upon baptism by the Holy Spirit, you are given the divine grace of that sacrament, many choose to leave but they are still Catholic, even if not practicing or believing. God will call them all home at the time of His choosing.
2006-08-11 08:35:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's been my experience that some Catholics (not all, mind you) view being Catholic as a cultural designation as much as a religious one. It seems similar to Jews being viewed as both an ethnic group and a religious one. Another possible reason might be that once one goes through the Catholic sacrament of confirmation, some people think that makes you Catholic, even if your beliefs change. For instance, my mom still considers me a Catholic for this reason, even though I am an atheist (I was at the time of my confirmation too, but that's another story).
2006-08-11 08:28:57 · answer #4 · answered by phaedra 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Ok, I had no choice in the beginning. I was baptized catholic when I was 2 weeks old. The reason for the early baptism is because catholics believe in original sin and a person with this sin cannot reach heaven. So my parents, thinking for my best interest at the time, had me baptized into Catholicism. I attended 12 years of Catholic education and I don't really believe in Jesus. I think the catholics helped me in this decision. So, technically I am catholic, but i do not believe what they do.
2006-08-11 08:28:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
That would make her not a Catholic and not a Christian, because Christians by definition are followers of Christ. However I know of lapsed Catholics who maintain an emotional connection to the church and attend services, even though their own beliefs are more universal, or more vague, depending on how you look at it.
Officially, to be a Catholic requires being baptized.
2006-08-11 08:31:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
maybe she's catholic with a small c. As a Lutheran growing up I never understood why during the Nicene creed I was promising to believe in the catholic church. Here is the definition of catholic and it includes the universal christian church.
cath·o·lic Audio pronunciation of "catholic" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (kth-lk, kthlk)
adj.
1. Of broad or liberal scope; comprehensive: “The 100-odd pages of formulas and constants are surely the most catholic to be found” (Scientific American).
2. Including or concerning all humankind; universal: “what was of catholic rather than national interest” (J.A. Froude).
3. Catholic
1. Of or involving the Roman Catholic Church.
2. Of or relating to the universal Christian church.
3. Of or relating to the ancient undivided Christian church.
4. Of or relating to those churches that have claimed to be representatives of the ancient undivided church.
n. Catholic
A member of a Catholic church, especially a Roman Catholic.
2006-08-11 08:26:58 · answer #7 · answered by moviegirl 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. Jesus and Christianity is central to Catholicism.
A summary of Catholic beliefs is contained in the Nicene Creed (from the year 325):
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us and our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the scriptures: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
For a complete description of what Catholics believe, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm
With love in Christ.
2006-08-11 16:14:43 · answer #8 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Catholicism has pretty much written everything down that it believes. The Nicene creed defines the core of what Catholics believe. It includes a belief in Jesus. So if you don't believe in Jesus, you don't accept the Nicene creed, and therefor you do not proclaim yourself a Catholic.
2006-08-11 08:25:42 · answer #9 · answered by Rjmail 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Despite what a lot of people say, Catholics *are* Christians, so all *real* Catholics believe in Christ as their personal savior and the only mediator of salvation. However... a lot of people claim to be Catholics and aren't really "Catholic".
Bunch of confusion out there...
2006-08-11 08:32:19 · answer #10 · answered by kaedajnor 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋