catholic beliefs and traditions
205411
1 Timothy 3:15 tells us that it is the Church, not the Bible, which gives us all the truth and provides the basis for determining truth or falsity (none of the Church teachings are in conflict with the Holy Scripture.) Matthew 18:17-19 AGAIN tells us that the Church is the final authority. \n\nSt. Paul reminds us to live in accordance with all the teachings which have been given to us. We are not to be distracted by those who would try to limit the teachings if the Church. (2 Thess 2:15; 3:6)
622634
A:  There are four traditions about Jesus the Christ of Nazareth.\n\n1:  The traditional Biblical Tradition.\nNever married.  Did not have children.  Died on the Cross.\n\n2:  The Kashmir tradition.\nThere are half a dozen variations in this tradition.\n* Never married / married Mary of Magdala.\n* One version states that he visited India prior to preaching the Gospel message.  \n* No Children / One child / not mentioned.\n* Was crucified but recovered / Judas was crucified in his place / Somebody else was crucified in his place.\n* He went south to Egypt, then took the sea route to India / He went north and took the land route to India\n* He was welcomed back as a Saint / He was instantly recognized as a Holy Man\n* He attracted a large following\n* He died in a cave in the Himalayas. (Kashmir and Bhutan are the most frequently mentioned places.)\n\n3: The Glastonbury tradition.\nMarried Mary of Magdala.  Had one child. After the crucifixion he went, with his wife to Egypt, and then to Glastonbury.  \n\nA variation of this tradition holds that they directly went to Glastonbury, with his wife, in a ship of  Joseph of Aramethia.\n\n4: The South of France tradition\n* Married  Mary of Magdala. \n* They had a daughter --- Sara.\n* After the crucifixion she goes to Egypt, then to the south of France.\nIn one Indian tradition, they go as a couple to Egypt, then they separate, she goes to the South of France, and he goes to India.\nIn one Glastonbury tradition, after she goes to the south of France, she goes to Glastonbury, to be with Joseph of Aramathia, and the rest of Jesus' relatives.\n\nThe Biblical tradition is the only one that has early documents to support it. The other traditions are purely oral, and do not appear to have been known, prior to pilgrimages being incorporated into Christian practice.\n\nAssuming that one of the non-biblical traditions is valid, there only was one child --- a daughter at that.  Any descendants would have anonymously blended into the gene pool.\n\nB: The brothers/half brothers of Jesus\n\nOne tradition holds that Joseph was a widower, when he married Mary.  \nThe other siblings were the children of Joseph and his first (deceased) wife.  \n\nA second tradition holds that the brothers and sisters were cousins.  [This is the doctrine of the holy Roman catholic and Apostolic Church.]\n\nA third tradition holds that the siblings were the children of Joseph and Mary.  [This is the usual viewpoint of Fundamental Christianity.]\n\nSince at least five siblings are named, and several others are referred to,  he would have had several nephews and nieces.  [Jewish tradition at that time more or less equated being married, but childless, with being in a state of sin.] \n\nThose nephews and nieces would have formed a bloodline, which _might_ persist to this day.  Mitigating against the persistence of the blood line, is the dispersion of Jews, plagues, and wars.  The latter two are very effective at prematurely terminating blood lines. [Yes, I know about Genghis Khan, and the dispersion of his genes.  I'll also point out that he was the war leader, spread his gene pool over most of Asia, and killed off most of the competing gene pool donors.  By contrast, the family of Jesus was at the bottom of the social scale and confined to a small country.]\n\nIn synopsis.\nA direct bloodline from Jesus:  No.\nA direct bloodline from his siblings:  Probable.\nAny such descendants would only be identifiable, if DNA from Joseph can be found.  [Genghis Khan's DNA was identifiable, not because of an actual sample, but because the same DNA anomalies occur at the same place over the entire geographic area.  They all point to the same common origin in time.  A period that was when Genghis Khan was alive.   It is theoretically possible that the genes are of somebody other than Genghis Khan. The only other candidates with the geographical range, power, nd influence would be his family, and close relatives. ]
196498
I agree with you. Our country was built on the principles of God. I grew up Catholic, but I don't necessairly believe it. But I celebrate Christmas, St. Patricks Day, St. Josephs Day, I say the Pledge of Alligance. Everyone thinks they're right. It's a part of our history, and people are erasing history because 'it's not what they believe' But we are a melting pot of culture, so there's the other side of the argument, all holidays and religions should be celebrated not just catholicism or christianity that our country was based on 300 years ago
56786
Basicly, the tech. postion from Rome is that only, The Cardinals and The Pope, have God speak to them regarding spiritual matters.  Which is then handed down to the catholic priests to share with their faith community.  In the United States, though many would disagree with me, Catholicism is more influenced by alot of Bible centered protestant influences, and you are likely to get a hybrid of Catholic / Christian answers from many sincere Catholic Believers.  The source to go to what Rome truly teaches however, is in the writings and declarations from the past former councils.  Many of these differ STRONGLY with Bible Centered Christians, then what Catholics in America would claim to believe and practice.
179436
Easier to follow than the truth.  As you stated, Christmas is one that is a pagan holiday that has come in through tradition.  The Catholic church has adopted many traditions that the rest of the churches as a whole has also adopted as well.  One is the first day as being the day of worship.  I have seen the writings of all the major religious leaders of all the churches that state the Sabbath of the Bible is the seventh day, not the first, and that they know the Catholic church is the one that did the change and yet they follow the sunday worship anyway, the first day of the week, a pagan holiday.  The venerable day of the Sun, when the pagans worshipped the sun god and the whole world follows the pagan tradition.  Those that say they are Christians and do not follow traditions best do some studying into what they are believing.  I would offer $50,000 cash to anyone that can show me from the bible alone that Sunday, the first day of the week is sanctioned by God to be observed as His worship day.  Look it up on the net and you will find there is no command like that, it is only the tradition from the Catholic church.  Easier to follow the crowd than to lead the crowd.
218467
Catholics are Christians if they have accepted Jesus as there saviour, same as any other denomination. (I'm not Catholic.) I don't know where you live but in UK the mainstream church had lost it's way and started compromising on things such as sex before marriage and the like, but now things are going back to God's word. The church I'm in is very Bibe based, happily.
315776
Catholics use a Bible that has added books that aren't put into a protestant version. Catholics pray to Mother Mary and use rosary which protestants don;t usually. Catholic priests usually can't marry legally and father children. Priests hear the congregations confession. There are many other ones, but this is a start
72222
There are alot of confused people in this world. Catholicism IS a Christian denomination, just as Protestant, Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, etc. are.
206820
I don't know where you get your information from.  You have been misinformed.  There are some so called "Catholics" that are misguided, as well as many others.  I was raised and taught in Catholic schools.  Not once, did anyone ever suggest praising statues or worshiping anyone or anything other than (Jesus, Holy Spirit & the Father) Holy trinity = one God.  We believe in offering prayers for loved ones, and we believe that the Staints offer they're prayers for the living.  But if someone was to assume that Catholics are taught to worship anyone or anything other than God, they are sadly mistaken.  Statues, pictures, etc... are reminders of who are good examples of how to live as Christ did.  Just like having pictures of your children.  The pictures are NOT your children, but an image of your children.  you would feed, clothe or talk to the picture.  Being Cathoilic does not mean that you are out of touch with reality.
213688
my religion is catholisism. i think it has a reputation for being the most conservative and traditional religion.\n\nit teaches us to love god and to respect his will. there's a lot more it teaches us but those are the main things i think.\n\nlike almost every religion, we go to some kind of place of worship. in this case its a church. we also have christmas...holy week...season of lent and lots of other celebrations.\n\ni love my religion first of all because it was the religion i was born with and will die with. i love it because i believe that it is conservative...and i like it that way. i love it because we worship not only god and his only son, jesus, but also mama mary...the disciples and saints.\n\ni believe in it because i feel my faith. and if you feel it...you believe in it. Its like the wind, i cant see it... but i can feel it.
493635
Christian protestant churches teach Scripture.  The bible is the authority.\nOrthodox churches teach some Scripture, but much like the Catholic church, they teach traditions as well.  \nThe Orthodox make a big thing about Mary and their Icons as well.
491357
A Catholic worships and follows Christ in the tradition of Catholicism which, among other things, recognizes that Christ made Peter the leader of His new Church and Pope Benedict XVI is Peter's direct successor.\n\n"What separates us as believers in Christ is much less than what unites us." (Pope John XXIII)\n\nAlmost all important doctrine is completely agreed upon between Catholic Christians and other Christians. \n\nHere is the joint declaration of justification by Catholics (1999), Lutherans (1999), and Methodists (2006):\n\nBy grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works.\n\nThere are many minor doctrine issues and some major cultural traditional differences which, I believe, do not matter that much.\n\nWith love in Christ.
53613
I am a Christian, specifically Catholic.\n\nI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.\n\nI 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.\n\nI 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.
115118
That's a good question. Since Wicca is a catch all term for many different beliefs.  \n\nI would state it as such:\n\nWicca is a pagan religion based on the traditional Pre-Christian European faiths. It is NOT witchcraft although many Wiccans do consider Wicca to be a form of witchcraft, however Wicca has a distinct set of beliefs, ritual system and organizational structures that distinguish it from other forms of witchcraft. \n\nThe fundamental theology is a belief is a god and a goddess although Wicca tends to be more Matriarchal in nature. Wiccans observe the festivals of the eight Sabbats (festivals) of the year and the full-moon (Caled Esbats);have a code of ethics they live by and hold dear and use spells, herbalism, and performing other magic to bring themselves closer to their goddess and god as well as to their natural being. \n\nThe Morality of Wicca is simple and has been summarized in The Wiccan Rede and can be further condensed into "In it harm none, do what ye will." The idea is that so long as no one is harmed, everything is good. Wicca revolves aroung the idea of universal goodness and love. \n\nYou can also explain that there are a number of Wiccan traditions such as Faery Wicca, Alexandrian Wicca, Seax-Wica, Celtic Wicca, Kemetic Wicca and yes, even Christian Wicca. \n\nThat should help explain it to your sister. I hope this helps.
507466
I know what the Catholic church says.\n\nAnd I know what I believe doesn't match.\n\nBut the only one you have to worry about is God and your relationship with him.  Might I suggest visiting a United Methodist Church and talking with the pastor?
88455
Religion (see etymology below) is commonly defined as a group of beliefs concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions and rituals associated with such belief. It is sometimes used interchangeably with faith or belief system. In the course of the development of religion, it has taken many forms in various cultures and individuals.\n\n\n\nA myth is a sacred story concerning the origins of the world or how the world and the creatures in it came to have their present form. The active beings in myths are generally gods and heroes. Myths take place before time, before history begins. In saying that a myth is a sacred narrative, what is meant is that a myth is believed to be true by people who attach religious or spiritual significance to it. Use of the term by scholars does not imply that the narrative is either true or false. See also legend and tale.
104499
I'm Lutheran, but I don't hold any hostility toward Catholics. I do worry that certain practices have crept into the church that Christ wouldn't have approved of (praying to Mary and the saints, for example). Still, your beliefs are a lot closer to mine than many other Protestant groups are, so I think we ought to be able to get along just fine. :)