Catholicism is a belief, faith, practise, and a church of the Roman Catholic Church. Catholic people believe in the bible and what is taught in the bible and through the the life of Jesus who taught the teachings of God.
Catholic beliefs
Catholic's believe that we must live our lives in the footsteps of Jesus showing love, compassion and being able to give without expecting anything in return. It's believed that if we live good lives we will be rewarded and those who don't will be punished. Catholic's believe in the holy trinity and this is shown at the beginning and end of a prayer through making the sign of the cross representing God in three forms; the father, the son and the holy spirit.
Catholic's believe that in order to live a worthwhile and fulfilled life you must live by the 10 commandments.
These include:
1. I am the Lord your God, you shall not have any God's besides me
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in Vein
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's day
4. Honour your father and your mother
5. You shall not kill
6. You shall not commit adultery
7. You shall not steal
8. You shall not bare false witness against your neighbour
9. You shall not covert your neighbours wife
10. You shall not covert your neighbours goods
The two great commandments of the Catholic church which are seen as the more important, in a sense, to follow are:
1. 'You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, and your whole soul, and with all your mind'
2. 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself'
Catholic's also believe that Jesus will return and we wait for his arrival.
Catholic's believe that in order to live a worthwhile and fulfilled life you must live by the 10 commandments.
These include:
1. I am the Lord your God, you shall not have any God's besides me
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in Vein
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's day
4. Honour your father and your mother
5. You shall not kill
6. You shall not commit adultery
7. You shall not steal
8. You shall not bare false witness against your neighbour
9. You shall not covert your neighbours wife
10. You shall not covert your neighbours goods
The two great commandments of the Catholic church which are seen as the more important, in a sense, to follow are:
1. 'You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, and your whole soul, and with all your mind'
2. 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself'
Catholic's also believe that Jesus will return and we wait for his arrival.
Myths and other stories
Myths and stories heard throughout the Catholic religion include various stories read in the first testament of the bible. Some of these include the parting of the read sea, the birth of Jesus from a virgin mother, Noah's ark and the story of Adam and Eve.
Sacred texts and other religious writings
Catholics believe in the storey of creation as well as other important stories read in the bible. Catholics do not necessarily believe every story in the bible but more what the story teachers us how we can live better lives closer to God.
Rituals
Catholic rituals include attending mass on a Sunday as well as the various sacraments. These include Baptism, Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing the sick and a funeral service.
Symbols
Different Catholic symbols include the Crucifix, the Dove, The Sacred heart and the Lamb. These are just a few of the many symbols seen throughout the Catholic Church.
The Crucifix is a symbol of sacrifice and represents Jesus giving up his life to save his people. At the top of the cross the letters INRI are printed and are short for a Latin phrase which translates to "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews".
The Sacred Heart symbolises the love which Jesus has for all of humanity with the heart symbolising love within the figure of Jesus.
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We hear throughout Catholic mass about Christ as the lamb of God and it is talked about in the book of John 1:35-36 and Revelation 5:6-14. The lamb symbolises purity and innocence and is an image of sacrifice representing Jesus's sacrifice for all humans.
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Social structures
The social structure of the Catholic Church consists of many different people with different roles and positions within the church worldwide. These include the Pope, Cardinal, Archbishop, Bishop, Priest, Brothers and Sisters and the community. Each person plays an important role in the mass whether it be organising the mass or attending the mass to pray and be with God.
Ethical principles and/or oral and written codes of behaviour
Many of the ethics and codes of behaviour are based on the seven themes of Catholic social teaching. These include;
1. Life and dignity of the human person
2. Call to family, community and participation
3. Solidarity
4. Dignity of work
5. Rights and responsibilities
6. Option for the poor and vulnerable
7. Care for God's creation
1. Life and dignity of the human person
2. Call to family, community and participation
3. Solidarity
4. Dignity of work
5. Rights and responsibilities
6. Option for the poor and vulnerable
7. Care for God's creation
Religious experience and spirituality
Different religious experiences occur in different ways for different people. For many people it could just be going to mass and spending time in the house of God and for others it could be a much more spiritual experience in that they can feel the presence of God with them when undertaking a certain activity or during a time of struggle.