Beliefs
God:
Christians believe that there is only one God, but that this God has three persons in separate forms; The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. This is known as the Trinity however, it has a deeper meaning that what it seems. Catholic Christians believe that God took the form of a human in Jesus Christ, and that God today is present through the works of the Holy Spirit, this can be even evident through the actions of believers.
Jesus:
Christians recognise Jesus as the Son of God who was sent from heaven to get rid of sins and prevent unnecessary deaths. When on Earth, he taught everyone that God had sent him and he was the Son of God. Jesus came down to Earth to fulfil God's wants. The teachings and miracles he performed can be summarised briefly into the love of God and the guidance of showing God's people to love one another as God had loved them.
Life After Death:
Catholic Christians believe that there is life after early deaths. This so called 'afterlife' is unknown, but Christians believe that there, they experience many spiritual events to show what life should be like.
Sacred Texts
The Bible is the most important sacred text of Catholic Christianity. This includes two different sections; The Old Testament and The New Testament. The books of the Old Testament are considered especially sacred as they contain the declaration of God throughout history, before the coming of Christ. In addition, any writings of the people of higher religious orders are considered by Catholic Christians as sacred. At every mass, Catholic Christians recite the Nicene Creed, which professes their faith to God. Also, there is the Catechism of the Catholic Church which is a summary of instructions, the official teachings of the Catholiv beliefs, which can be seen above. There are also two basic obligations that Christians follow that have come from the Old Testament. These are:
The Ten Commandments
These are the 10 beneficial laws which were given by the Creator God, showing how to live a better life according to His ways.
These are the eight declarations of blessedness spoken by Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. These are the statements God proposed for ultimate spiritual well-being, if followed.
Myths and Other Stories
There are numerous myths and other stories in Catholic Christianity. However, there are some that stand out significantly. These include, "Noah’s Ark" and "The Parable of the Lost Son." Catholic Christians don't necessarily believe in the story itself rather, the morals of the stories which shapes the lives of Christians into a way that God intended, when he created Mankind. For example, in "The Parable of the Lost Son," one son selfishly takes the father's money and leaves for a better life for himself. However, he irresponsibly loses all the money and ends up returning home, in no hope. The father takes him into his arms and lets him stay, back where he belonged. The moral of this story was to love and forgive one another no matter the extent of their wrong-doings.
Rituals
Most Catholic Christians attend mass services every Sunday, where they worship God. Naturally, all Christians would have been Baptised, which is the first ever ritual that a Catholic usually goes through, in fact it is very important as it is what actually makes the person a Catholic Christian because they are welcomed into the church. Catholic Christians also then go on, to receive the sacrament of Communion. This is where they receive the body and blood of Christ in the form of bread and wine, also known as Eucharist.
Social Structures
As usual, for a certain place to run smoothly, their needs to be a leader, which means an orderly social structure. For Catholic Christians, this is of great importance and the leaders are remarkably religious and respected by those who worship in God. There is a hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church which Catholic Christians follow (as seen to the right)
Ethical Principles & Oral / Written Codes of Behaviour
The Ethical Principles of Catholic Christianity are those that are derived from the Christian faith by which they should act and follow. Catholics believe that although God's Word has not taught what to do in every, single situation, there are certain principles that they can live by in order to fulfil God's wants. These can be found through numerous sacred texts that the Catholic Christian's believe.
Religious Experience and Spirituality
Christmas is a very important ritual that every Catholic Christian experiences yearly. It is seen as a day full of getting presents, spending time with the family, having a large meal. However, there is a greater meaning than receiving gifts for Catholic Christians; it was the day of The Lord Jesus Christ's birth. Easter is another special religious experience that Catholics go through. It is the resurrection of Christ; the day when he rose from the dead, proving that he really was the Son of God.
Symbols
The list of symbols for Catholic Christianity simply goes on and on. However there are a few that stand out as specific for Catholic Christianity. (as seen below along with descriptions of each)
God:
Christians believe that there is only one God, but that this God has three persons in separate forms; The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. This is known as the Trinity however, it has a deeper meaning that what it seems. Catholic Christians believe that God took the form of a human in Jesus Christ, and that God today is present through the works of the Holy Spirit, this can be even evident through the actions of believers.
Jesus:
Christians recognise Jesus as the Son of God who was sent from heaven to get rid of sins and prevent unnecessary deaths. When on Earth, he taught everyone that God had sent him and he was the Son of God. Jesus came down to Earth to fulfil God's wants. The teachings and miracles he performed can be summarised briefly into the love of God and the guidance of showing God's people to love one another as God had loved them.
Life After Death:
Catholic Christians believe that there is life after early deaths. This so called 'afterlife' is unknown, but Christians believe that there, they experience many spiritual events to show what life should be like.
Sacred Texts
The Bible is the most important sacred text of Catholic Christianity. This includes two different sections; The Old Testament and The New Testament. The books of the Old Testament are considered especially sacred as they contain the declaration of God throughout history, before the coming of Christ. In addition, any writings of the people of higher religious orders are considered by Catholic Christians as sacred. At every mass, Catholic Christians recite the Nicene Creed, which professes their faith to God. Also, there is the Catechism of the Catholic Church which is a summary of instructions, the official teachings of the Catholiv beliefs, which can be seen above. There are also two basic obligations that Christians follow that have come from the Old Testament. These are:
The Ten Commandments
These are the 10 beneficial laws which were given by the Creator God, showing how to live a better life according to His ways.
- You shall have no other gods before Me.
- You shall not make idols.
- You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
- Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
- Honor your father and your mother.
- You shall not murder.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
- You shall not covet.
These are the eight declarations of blessedness spoken by Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. These are the statements God proposed for ultimate spiritual well-being, if followed.
- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
- Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
- Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
- Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
- Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
- Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Myths and Other Stories
There are numerous myths and other stories in Catholic Christianity. However, there are some that stand out significantly. These include, "Noah’s Ark" and "The Parable of the Lost Son." Catholic Christians don't necessarily believe in the story itself rather, the morals of the stories which shapes the lives of Christians into a way that God intended, when he created Mankind. For example, in "The Parable of the Lost Son," one son selfishly takes the father's money and leaves for a better life for himself. However, he irresponsibly loses all the money and ends up returning home, in no hope. The father takes him into his arms and lets him stay, back where he belonged. The moral of this story was to love and forgive one another no matter the extent of their wrong-doings.
Rituals
Most Catholic Christians attend mass services every Sunday, where they worship God. Naturally, all Christians would have been Baptised, which is the first ever ritual that a Catholic usually goes through, in fact it is very important as it is what actually makes the person a Catholic Christian because they are welcomed into the church. Catholic Christians also then go on, to receive the sacrament of Communion. This is where they receive the body and blood of Christ in the form of bread and wine, also known as Eucharist.
Social Structures
As usual, for a certain place to run smoothly, their needs to be a leader, which means an orderly social structure. For Catholic Christians, this is of great importance and the leaders are remarkably religious and respected by those who worship in God. There is a hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church which Catholic Christians follow (as seen to the right)
Ethical Principles & Oral / Written Codes of Behaviour
The Ethical Principles of Catholic Christianity are those that are derived from the Christian faith by which they should act and follow. Catholics believe that although God's Word has not taught what to do in every, single situation, there are certain principles that they can live by in order to fulfil God's wants. These can be found through numerous sacred texts that the Catholic Christian's believe.
Religious Experience and Spirituality
Christmas is a very important ritual that every Catholic Christian experiences yearly. It is seen as a day full of getting presents, spending time with the family, having a large meal. However, there is a greater meaning than receiving gifts for Catholic Christians; it was the day of The Lord Jesus Christ's birth. Easter is another special religious experience that Catholics go through. It is the resurrection of Christ; the day when he rose from the dead, proving that he really was the Son of God.
Symbols
The list of symbols for Catholic Christianity simply goes on and on. However there are a few that stand out as specific for Catholic Christianity. (as seen below along with descriptions of each)
The Crucifixion is one of the most important symbols for Catholic Christianity. It represents the death and therefore resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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The Dove is symbolising the Holy Spirit. Which represents peace and purity.
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The Bread and Wine are a sign of Christ's body and blood. This is called 'Eucharist' or 'Communion' in the Catholic Christian community.
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The Candle represents the presence of God. It shows the light and the way, just as Jesus and God do.
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Bibliography (for this page):
- 'Being Christian in 21st Century'Australia'; Classroom Video, Directed by Caroline Cummings, 2009
- https://www.studyblue.com/notes/note/n/exam-8-aspects-christianity/deck/950160
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/beliefs/basics_1.shtml
- http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-ethics.html#ixzz2Nq6Aerxm
- http://www.gotquestions.org/Catholic-catechism.html
- Green Damien, Samuel Shayndel: VCE Religion and Society Units 1 & 2
