I am a Catholic. I am a Christian.

[kattneko]

So, I have been looking around on the forum and realized that there is a lot of misinformation floating around concerning the Catholic Church. Some seem to believe that a Catholic cannot be a Christian. I disagree. Therefore I am creating this thread. Ask me your questions and I will answer to the best of my ability, as soon as my schedule allows. heart  

[Wildear19]

what is the core Catholic teaching and why do Catholics pray to the saints?  

[Lady Vizsla]

Hey I hope you received my PM. Since you're taking questions for discussion, would you say the Roman Catholic church adheres strictly to Biblical teachings or holds more strongly to church tradition?  

[kattneko]

Lady Kariel

Hey I hope you received my PM. Since you're taking questions for discussion, would you say the Roman Catholic church adheres strictly to Biblical teachings or holds more strongly to church tradition?

I'm not Roman Catholic, so I can't speak strictly to that. I am a Byzantine Catholic. We still respect the Pope and acknowledge the seat of Saint Peter, but we don't have the same traditions. I can give you the over all, simplified Catholic view, for at least most of us. Over all, it's actually a mixture. Because the cannon of the Bible was not established for a few hundred years, as well as because the first century culture was very much and oral culture, the first few years relied heavily on forming a Tradition in the Church. We rely on that as not everything was written down. As it is in accordance with the scriptures, we don't see an issue with both. If something doesn't seem right, we check against the scriptures. If the answer is not there, we look to Traditions. I use a capital T for a reason. little t tradition is something simply handed down generation to generation. Big T Tradition is that and includes the sacred teachings. If something is said to go against the scriptures then we research. Usually, it's miscommunication or misinterpretation made somewhere along the way. We tend to approach with caution though, If we have no answer "I don't know" is a valid answer.  

[kattneko]

Wildear19

what is the core Catholic teaching and why do Catholics pray to the saints?

Core teachings. Ever heard of the Nicene Creed? It's the creed set up at the counsel of Nicea in 325AD. It was formed to combat a heresy that denied Christ's divinity. The Apostle's Creed is a predecessor to it, that did not address some of these issues.
"We believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
begotten from the Father before all ages,
God from God,
Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made;
of the same essence as the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
and was made human.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered and was buried.
The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again with glory
to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will never end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life.
He proceeds from the Father and the Son,
and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.
He spoke through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
and to life in the world to come. Amen."
This is the core of what we believe.

On the topic of Saints, this one is a bit harder to explain. God is outside of space and time, yes? Those around His throne are too then, logically. The book of Revelation describes the throne of God to be surrounded by the saints. As you would ask a relative for prayer, we ask those living and those a little bit closer to God. We do not worship them. We venerate them. We respect them for who they were, how they lived, and and for many, how they died. Some choose not to though. That's between them and God. It's nothing required.  

[brother_edward]

Glory to Jesus Christ.

Wildear19

what is the core Catholic teaching and why do Catholics pray to the saints?

This question starts off well, but immediately assumes the heretical. A better way to ask this question would be "What are the core Catholic teachings, and do Catholics pray to the saints?"

First letter to the Corinthians, Chapter One:
10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.  

[brother_edward]

Glory to Jesus Christ.

Lady Kariel

Hey I hope you received my PM. Since you're taking questions for discussion, would you say the Roman Catholic church adheres strictly to Biblical teachings or holds more strongly to church tradition?

This question is also not the best way of asking, as it implies a separation where there need be none. Scripture itself was handed down to us through tradition, as were many of the practices we all continue to this day.

Book of Proverbs, Chapter 22
4
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord
is riches and honor and life.
5
Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;
whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.
6
Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.
7
The rich rules over the poor,
and the borrower is the slave of the lender.
8
Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
and the rod of his fury will fail.
9
Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
for he shares his bread with the poor.
10
Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out,
and quarreling and abuse will cease.
11
He who loves purity of heart,
and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.
12
The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
but he overthrows the words of the traitor.  

[Garland-Green]

What are the Sacraments? Do they have any purpose, and what is official teaching about the Sacraments?  

[Garland-Green]

brother_edward

Glory to Jesus Christ.

Lady Kariel

Hey I hope you received my PM. Since you're taking questions for discussion, would you say the Roman Catholic church adheres strictly to Biblical teachings or holds more strongly to church tradition?

This question is also not the best way of asking, as it implies a separation where there need be none. Scripture itself was handed down to us through tradition, as were many of the practices we all continue to this day.

Book of Proverbs, Chapter 22
4
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord
is riches and honor and life.
5
Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;
whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.
6
Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.
7
The rich rules over the poor,
and the borrower is the slave of the lender.
8
Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
and the rod of his fury will fail.
9
Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
for he shares his bread with the poor.
10
Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out,
and quarreling and abuse will cease.
11
He who loves purity of heart,
and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.
12
The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
but he overthrows the words of the traitor.

Could there be particularities in interpretation of Scripture that has allowed for unsound traditions to be handed down? I know that the Catholic church has more books in the Bible than we do in the "Protestant" Bibles. How has that affected Catholic doctrine versus Protestant doctrine?  

[brother_edward]

Glory to Jesus Christ.

Garland-Green

brother_edward

Glory to Jesus Christ.

Lady Kariel

Hey I hope you received my PM. Since you're taking questions for discussion, would you say the Roman Catholic church adheres strictly to Biblical teachings or holds more strongly to church tradition?

This question is also not the best way of asking, as it implies a separation where there need be none. Scripture itself was handed down to us through tradition, as were many of the practices we all continue to this day.

Book of Proverbs, Chapter 22
4
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord
is riches and honor and life.
5
Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;
whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.
6
Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.
7
The rich rules over the poor,
and the borrower is the slave of the lender.
8
Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
and the rod of his fury will fail.
9
Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
for he shares his bread with the poor.
10
Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out,
and quarreling and abuse will cease.
11
He who loves purity of heart,
and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.
12
The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
but he overthrows the words of the traitor.

Could there be particularities in interpretation of Scripture that has allowed for unsound traditions to be handed down? I know that the Catholic church has more books in the Bible than we do in the "Protestant" Bibles. How has that affected Catholic doctrine versus Protestant doctrine?

I'm confused, how can Protestants, who hold Scripture to be infallible and the source of all Doctrine, have fewer books than Catholics, who place Scripture on the same level as Tradition?  

[kattneko]

Garland-Green

brother_edward

Glory to Jesus Christ.

Lady Kariel

Hey I hope you received my PM. Since you're taking questions for discussion, would you say the Roman Catholic church adheres strictly to Biblical teachings or holds more strongly to church tradition?

This question is also not the best way of asking, as it implies a separation where there need be none. Scripture itself was handed down to us through tradition, as were many of the practices we all continue to this day.

Book of Proverbs, Chapter 22
4
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord
is riches and honor and life.
5
Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;
whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.
6
Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.
7
The rich rules over the poor,
and the borrower is the slave of the lender.
8
Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
and the rod of his fury will fail.
9
Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
for he shares his bread with the poor.
10
Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out,
and quarreling and abuse will cease.
11
He who loves purity of heart,
and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.
12
The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
but he overthrows the words of the traitor.

Could there be particularities in interpretation of Scripture that has allowed for unsound traditions to be handed down? I know that the Catholic church has more books in the Bible than we do in the "Protestant" Bibles. How has that affected Catholic doctrine versus Protestant doctrine?

The books were not removed from the Protestant Bibles until a new translation of the King James came out in 1828 (or 1885, depending on sources). The KJV contained all of the books we have when it was printed in 1611. Doing the math, y'all had the same books as us in the KJV longer than they have been removed for. In reality, more books has not affected our doctrine/teachings as much as fewer books have affected Protestantism. I grew up protestant and many of the questions that nagged at me were never fully answered until I looked at the full cannon. Surprisingly enough, the books that Martin Luther wanted to remove included James, Jude, Revelation, and Hebrews as well. Think of how different the teachings would have been had he actually done so? In the end, he did not remove any and left that to future generations.
As for the first part of your question, that is the purpose of the Traditions. We hold to them so that people don't go and re-interpret the scripture for themselves (that's where Jahovah's Witnesses come from). If we are unsure, we turn to the authority of the church and Apostolic succession, those who, if you follow the line, were taught by the apostles. We do not allow that line to break in order to keep to the correct teachings.  

[Bloopercat]

As long as you worship Jesus with all your heart, and let the holy spirit influence you. You are a Christian.
I don't know much about the saints or the virgin Mary. But if they are being used as a substitute for Jesus i can understand why some people have criticism for catholic practices. But everyone has the same human existence, we all are exposed to the love of Jesus, and the difficulties of the world. It is up to each one of us to decide what kind of relationship we have with Jesus. And none of us can ever hold judgement against another person for worshiping how they like, or how they were taught to.  

[kattneko]

Garland-Green

What are the Sacraments? Do they have any purpose, and what is official teaching about the Sacraments?

There are 7 Sacraments in the Catholic church. I believe the Protestant church only recognizes 3 of these, and in different orders.
1. Baptism- We believe in one baptism for the remission of sins. For the Eastern churches we dunk. Three times. Or as one priest put it "Dunk 'em till they scream" (It's a joke guys, a joke. He's got a sick sense of humor. wink ) We typically baptize infants around the same time that the Protestant church dedicates them. The west tends to just sprinkle water and say it's done. Less screaming that way.
2. First communion- Now this is where the differences in the East and the West come in. The East does the whole, Baptism, first communion andcconfirmation (chrismation) at the same time. But, since most of you know about the First communion of children, we'll go with that. Usually around 2nd or 3rd grade, whenever the child is ready, they take the classes to prepare and go to their first reconciliation (more on this in a minute). They then receive the Blood and the Body of Christ through the Eucharist. For first communion in the East, typically, it's a drop of the the wine which has been transfigured to the Blood of Christ in the mouth. They will begin receiving the Body when they are ready for solid foods. As I am a convert, I was already baptized in the Protestant church and so we skipped that part but I did have my first Eucharist.
3. Reconciliation- Ah confession. That which can shake a child to the core, even though all they have to say is "I pulled my sister's hair because she bit me because I licked her face". In between the priest's hidden chuckles, he will assign their penance and they are forgiven their sins. for adults it's about the same, the list just gets longer and the priest doesn't laugh as much. Although I have been smirked at once or twice. This serves other purposes than just forgiveness. It makes us aware of our actions and the effects that our actions have on those surrounding us. Also, the seal of the confessional is sacred. The priest will never go and tell anyone what you said. It also gives us someone educated and often wiser than us to hold us accountable.
4.Confirmation- Also known as Chrismation in the East. This is basically, and correct me if I am wrong, Brother_Edward, the public display and commitment to the Church. For Protestants, it's baptism, for us, it's this. Infants and adults alike in the East have sponsors who make the commitment for them to help raise them in the ways of the Church and keep them accountable. It can also be tied to baptism of the Holy Spirit as this is when we accept and receive the Holy Spirit. Just as with the Protestant Church, we recognize the gifts of the spirit and see that they manifest differently in each person.
5. Marriage- Wuv! Twoo Wuv! Okay, so, in the West, the couple performs the sacrament upon themselves with the assistance of the priest (vows, officiating, you know how that goes). In the East however, the sacrament is performed by the priest to the couple. My husband and I had no vows, it actually really threw our families off as none of them had ever been to a wedding where vows were not said. Marriage is sacred and is the tying together of 2 souls, and while the Bible says that there shall be no husband and wife as they are now in heaven, we believe that the love and the tie between us will still be there. It will be different, but still present. Divorce isn't an option. Now, in the event that one of the parties entered into the marriage under false pretenses, say that they had no intention of being faithful for example, then the sacrament is void because it is it something that we willingly commit to. In instances like this, an annulment can be obtained. This is very rare though. We go through at least 6 months (for me it was a year) of pre-cana, or premarital counseling, before we get married to make sure that we are ready for this commitment. We also view the point of marriage to be procreation and so we must be open to having kids.
6. Holy Orders- this is when a priest is ordained. typically in the west, he must be unmarried. I know of 3 priests in the west who are or were. In the East married men (on their first wife only) may be ordained but priests, once ordained, may not get married. So, my husband is applying to the seminary now to enter the priesthood. upon his ordination, he is still me husband and is to still act as such and fulfill his obligation to the Church. If I die though, he will not be allowed to remarry. The priest is basically the pastor of the parish, as well as completing other tasks.
7. Annointing of the sick- also known as extreme unction and last rites. This is a sacrament of healing for body, soul, and mind. Those who are sick, mentally, physically and spiritually are annointed, as well as those dying, and prayed over, hoping for healing. it is meant to convey God's grace to the recipient.

All of the sacraments are meant to bring God's grace to the people. God does not only work within the sacraments but also outside of them. These are gifts that He has given us though. With each of the sacraments there's another level of teaching and more for us to learn. We grow closer to God and stronger in spirit through these.  

[brother_edward]

Glory to Jesus Christ.

Cristaliacat15

As long as you worship Jesus with all your heart, and let the holy spirit influence you. You are a Christian.
I don't know much about the saints or the virgin Mary. But if they are being used as a substitute for Jesus i can understand why some people have criticism for catholic practices. But everyone has the same human existence, we all are exposed to the love of Jesus, and the difficulties of the world. It is up to each one of us to decide what kind of relationship we have with Jesus. And none of us can ever hold judgement against another person for worshiping how they like, or how they were taught to.

Does that include Mormons?