My boyfriend is Catholic, I was raised in a Methodist and Southern Baptist environment.?

Question

My knowledge of Catholism is not great and would like to broaden it. What are some of the principle ideals of Catholism?

Answer 1

For starters, we all agree that God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We also all agree that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and was 100% God and 100% human. That is what makes all three (Roman Catholic, Methodist, and Southern Baptist) Christian denominations. In general, Catholics hold beliefs closer to Methodists rather than Baptists.

However, Catholics disagree with the Baptists with the creation story. Catholics believe that this is just a story and is not meant to be taken literally. However, we do believe that all creation including science happens through God.

Catholics believe that most souls go to Purgatory with the ultimate goal of reaching heaven. Yes, Jesus died for our sins but that only gave us the option of heaven, not automatic entrance (at least for most). In the last couple decades, the Church has also changed its teachings on Hell. Hell is no longer considered an actual place but merely the tortuous pain of choosing to turn away from God. The pain is not inflicted by God himself, rather, the absence of God is what brings the pain to the sinful soul.

Catholics believe that people are inherintly good and are tempted by Satan. However, God is merciful and will take back any lost sheep.

Catholics believe that salvation is through God alone and our faith must constantly be renewed. We cannot just "accept Jesus into our hearts" and expect a one-way ticket to heaven. It is important, but our faith is dead without good works. However, good works does not get people into heaven. You must have both faith and works.

The Catholic Church also hints that the more suffering in the present life, the more reward in the afterlife. Many misconstrue this to mean self-mutilation like the Albino in the DaVinci Code, but that is flat out wrong.

On the popular issues, the Church does not recognize any divorce because what God binds, humans cannot separate. Homosexual actions are not okay, but homosexuality is. Mary is ever virgin and respected, but not prayed to nor worshipped. We may only pray to and worship God alone. Saints are people who have lived their lives in a way that shows the rest of the world that it is possible for humans to closely model a life that Jesus exemplified. No, we do not pray to saints. We ask saints to pray for us.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

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,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with 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 worshipped 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.

Answer 4

i in my opinion desire that what occurred interior the final election, that maximum Christians subsidized Bush, won't repeat itself. i ask your self how those Christians sense now that Bush has shown himself to be cheating and unethical. Has no longer this shown that balloting because of the fact the candidate belongs to a undeniable faith, creates intense issues. If the subsequent President isn't elected because of the fact he/she is truthful, ethical, non-biased, non-racist, non prejudicial then u . s . is in for difficulty. u . s . have lost the honour of hundreds of thousands because of the fact of Bush and his dishonesty and it is going to take somebody with integrity, capability, and each and all of the factors suggested above, to deliver American returned to the capability it had in the previous Bush grew to grow to be President. President Bush is an occasion of balloting for the religion, over the guy, somewhat does no longer artwork. It did no longer artwork final time and it easily won't artwork returned. unquestionably the instructions found out via the dishonesty of this government, will function a reminder that this time, it ought to be completed ideal.

Answer 5

Understand what is beautiful in the believing of your friend.
You may then discover that you have to give a lot to each other.
You may also experience that others want to interfere.
God is Love.
That is the Bible word that is common to all the Christian teachings. So make your love to be as pure as you can and you'll see God.

Answer 6

Go to www. ewtn.com and explore the web site

Answer 7

Why don't you just ask your boyfriend.