What do Catholics actually believe?

Answer 1

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 2

We believe exactly what Fr.K stated and no David we do not believe that Mary is God`s wife where did this come from?
Catholics do not have tails nor do they worship statues, you know I have taken the time and trouble to read about the Protestant beliefs so that I would not give offence and be able to understand my fellow Christians, is it too much to ask that Protestant people do as much and read the Catholic cathechism before making remarks that are unfounded and insulting.
Peace be with you.

Answer 3

Thank you for asking. It is far more polite than believing the propaganda out there that excuses ignoring the impartation of the church to the 12 Apostles.

Catholics Believe that Jesus is both Lord and God and that He is an inseparable person from the other 2 persons in the Trinity. We believe in The powerful, living and active Word of God which has come down to us from the Church Fathers.

We believe that the Lord Jesus will soon return and that His body of Christ the Church should be unified in some way but not necessarily in the same church. That Jesus laid down His life freely so that we might all be one in Him. And that we took part as one party in the damage done to the body of Christ by allowing schisms to rend the church from itself.

Answer 4

for what we actually believe father k nailed it,this creed sums up what we believe and what is at the core of i think all christian beliefs with the exception of "the holy catholic church,the communion of saints", while i believe these things most non catholics sadly do not. for more details on our beliefs and for sites that will clear up the misconceptions non catholic christians have these sites are very helpful

www.scripturecatholic.com
www.salvationhistory.com
www.catholiceducation.org
www.newadvent.org
www.fisheaters.com

more importantly the bible attests to all catholic teachings and beliefs. the bible is a catholic book. the catholic church gave us the bible and for that reason the church that gave us the bible would be the best at teaching us what it means. what the bible teaches us can be found in a catechism of the catholic church. you may like to read what the early church fathers wrote. outside of the bible these are the recordings of the earliest christians,st.ignatius in approximately 107 a.d began to refer to the church as catholic,which comes from the greek catholikos meaning universal. god bless.

Answer 5

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.

Answer 6

Here are all of the basics, promised by us at our Baptism, or made for us by our Godparents:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.

Amen.

Answer 7

Catholics actually believe everything the original Christian Church believed, since the Catholic Church IS the original Christian Church! Catholics also believe everything the Bible teaches, since the Catholic Church compiled the Bible, and certainly did not include in its book anything that was in conflict with its own God-given teachings.
.

Answer 8

The Catholic Church publishes an official Catechism which completely details all that the Church teaches in Christ's name.

It's available on-line, and for free. Take a look at it, and send me an email if you need further clarifcation on any points.

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm

Answer 9

That Constantine was God's instrument in allowing them to be the rulers of Christianity through the Holy Roman Church, Empire.... Apparently, Rome was some source of Godly influence, because they decided to no longer kill Christians in the Colosseum. To sum it up, they buy into the fact that God used Rome as his vassal to preach the word. In my opinion, that is a very tough idea to ever believe at all.

Answer 10

Catholics are Christians just as much as Protestants are.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholicism