The Religious World
Beliefs
Catholic Christianity is the belief in the Holy Trinity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirt. The Holy Trinity is believed to be whole in love and combine Catholicism as one.
The Father in the Holy Trinity is believed to give Catholic’s life, love, faith and hope in the God our Father. The Catholic Community comes together through the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is where justice, love, faith and peace exists. As Catholics we come together at Church to learn through Jesus’ teachings.
Jesus, the ‘Son of God’, performed miracles to heal others and free all humanity from sin and suffering. Through scriptures he teaches us to ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
The Holy Spirt, unites the Catholic Christians in love through God’s power of love. ‘Love one another'. Jesus' says, I have loved you, so you must love one another.’ The Holy Spirt is demonstrated to the disciples during the Pentecost. The Holy spirt is represented through, God’s seven gifts; understanding, wisdom, fortitude, fear of God and Jesus, and knowledge.
Symbols
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The Cross- Jesus’ crucifixion, reminding us of his suffering and the torture he went through, out of pure love for humanity.
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The flame- The Holy Spirt is symbolised through the flame. Its believed the flame occurred during Pentecost.
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The fish- Symbolic to Christians during the times of persecution.
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The Dove- Represents peace, Love through God. The Dove is a Symbol of the ‘Holy Spirt’. Bring Catholic Christians the power of love.
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The Sacred Heart- Symbol of Jesus’ heart and pure love. Jesus’ was prepared to suffering and sacrifice his life for us. The crown of thorns represent this. His love for humanity is very strong.
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The lamb- The little lamb represents innocence and clarity, reminding us of God and Jesus.
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Ashes- Symbolises Jesus’ new life
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Alpha and Omega- Letters in the Greek alphabet, representing the beginning and end of all creation and life.
Social Stucture
Catholic Christianity like all religions has its own social structure. The pope of the Catholic church has the responsibilities for the union of the Catholic Christian Community. The pope is the servant to God. Jesus is at the top of the Catholic Church, in social hierarchy. The pope elects Cardinals as the responsibility, if we ever we need a new Pope, the cardinals take over until the Catechism of the Catholic Church elects a new Pope. The Archbishops and Bishops rank below the cardinals. They share the same importance and values as resist do in the Catholic churches. The Bishops and Archbishops administers share the responsibility of the Sacraments, rituals and the rites. The Catholic community consists of nuns and Brothers in teaching the community about the sacraments; God and Jesus’ teachings throughout society. When Catholics are baptised they hold responsibility for the wellbeing and on-going belief in the Catholic Christian Community.
Myths/Stories
Myths and Stories include Saints, who have a close relationship of faith and love with God. These stories award and educate the Catholic Christian community through God and Jesus’ action, words and miracles he performed during his time. Saint Francis of Assisi, and Mary the Mother of Jesus, having a Godly connection. Myths and Other Stories are found in the Old Testament in the Catholic Bible. The Old testaments tells the stories of the God's creation of the World and he formed the universe in 7 days, and the Story of Adam and Eve. God created male and female. These stories are metaphorical myths in the Bible.
Rituals
Christian Catholic’s attend mass services, to worship and serve God and Jesus every Sunday. Jesus and his disciplines established the Church, for those who pray, have faith and belief in God and Jesus Christ. The Rituals consist Christians Catholic’s being Baptised as a child; marking the first journey of there Christian life and following Jesus’ teachings. The ritual of Reconciliation, which is asking for forgiveness from God, from all sins. Jesus’ stated, “receive the Holy Spirt, for those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.” The Eucharist is received to the Catholic Christian who believes in the ‘body and blood’ of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying “Take and eat; this is my body.” (Matthew 26:26)The Eucharist is a important significance to jesus’ last supper. Rituals also include Easter and Christian; important dates, recognising Jesus’s birth and he’s crucification.
Ethical Principles
Ethical Principles, of love, forgiveness, love and mercy. Catholic Christians try to put the ethical principles to practice everyday. The Commandment “Love your neighbour, as you love yourself.” Meaning loving Jesus Christ and God as you love and care for yourself. The Kingdom of God is the idea of the ethical and principles and written codes of behaviour, where peace, love, justice and kindness exists. A Catholic Church is the place where the Kingdom of God, has peace, love and Jesus’ social teachings and justice. As individuals we strive to change the world and ask God for forgiveness and love.
Relgious Experience
Belief and having faith in God, comes from religious experience and spirituality. Catholic Christians have a strong love of God, affecting the way in which we behaviour, value, the light of beliefs, and think. Having and showing love for God, by praying and attending church; individuals share a religious experience. Lent is a time, when Catholic Christians celebrate 40 days before Easter, reflecting as a community. Advent is 4 weeks prior, to the time Jesus’ Christ was born; the date Catholic’s know as, Christmas.
Sacred texts and other religious writings
The Bible in the Catholic Christian community, has two sections, the New Testament consist with 17 books, all originally written in Greek. These books are the Gospels, story’s on Jesus’ life and his teachings, Acts of the apostles and the letters of Saint Paul. The Old Testament written during the time, God creating the world and the Human race. The Old testament is written in Hebrew, containing scriptures, prophesying Jesus Christ. The Old testament includes the 10 commandments in the bible describing God at Mount Sinai.