roman catholic beliefs

I've been studying Wiccan for a while now and I felt a sense of beloning while studying it but my family and our community is very strict because of that not a lot of people study it here so I don't know anyone who can help me learn more than the basics I can research and the books in our library is very limited.

Magic is a system, not a religion. Even Atheists can preform magic. It requires belief in yourself, not belief in any certain higher power.

Wicca is just one of many faiths that embrace Magic.


You can be both a Wiccan and a witch, these two words are not the same. None of these words has anything to do with devil worship.

One of the biggest sore points among Wiccans is the improper usage of the terms "Wiccan" and "Witch". Too many people use the terms interchangeably, presuming that they both mean the same thing. They do not.

Wiccan
Wicca is a religion, and someone who follows that religion is called a Wiccan. Sometimes it can be difficult to accurately define Wicca, and not all Wiccans will define themselves the same way. Observing the 8 Wiccan Sabbats, honoring the Gods and/or Goddesses, creating sacred space for rituals, to name a few. Many traditional Wiccans also feel that belonging to a coven is also a requirement and that those who practice their religion as a solitary, should not refer to themselves as Wiccan. Personally, I'm still not sure on that point. Typical Wiccans also practice magick, and therefore are also witches. You cannot be a "natural Wiccan" any more than you could be a "natural Christian".

Witch
The practice of witchcraft is not associated with any religion, therefore you can be a witch and yet also be a member of any number of religions (or none). Using the natural energies within yourself, along with the energies of herbs, stones or other elements to make changes around you is considered witchcraft. Though the skills and gifts that are part of witchcraft can be inherited from parents or grandparents, you aren't automatically a witch just because your grandmother may have been one. The use of magick takes practice, experience and learning. On a side note, a male witch is called a witch, not a warlock.

Pagan
While I'm explaining terminology, I thought I would throw in "Pagan" as well. Paganism refers to a variety of non-Christian/Jewish/ Islamic religions that are usually polytheistic and are often nature-based. Wicca is only one Pagan religion, but there are others such as Santeria, Asatru, or Shamanism. Many people do not necessarily identify with a specific religion, and just use the broad term "Pagan" to define their spiritual path. Pagan religions are distinct and separate from each other, and it should not be assumed that they are just different names for the same faith.


Suggested Reading List

Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham

Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham

Complete Book of Incense, Oils and Brews by Scott Cunningham

Book of Shadows: A Modern Woman’s Journey into the Wisdom of Witchcraft and the Magic of the Goddess by Phyllis Curott

Green Witchcraft by Aoumiel (Ann Moura)

True Magick by Amber K

Inner Temple of Witchcraft: Magick, Meditation and Psychic Development by Christopher Penczak

Heart of Wicca: Wise Words from a Crone on the Path by Ellen Cannon Reed

The Spiral Dance by Starhawk

Natural Magic by Marian Green

Wheel of the Year: Living the Magical Life by Pauline Campanelli

The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan
Witchcraft by Ronald Hutton

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at
http://allexperts.com/expert.cgi?m=1& ;catID=3207&expID=73844

pagan.meetup.com
wicca.meetup.com
witches.meetup.com

ecauldron.net

paganwiccan.about.com

witchvox.com

wicca.timerift.net

2009-08-27 05:42:20 by gaeagoddess

Basic concepts to keep in mind when sharing your faith with someone of another religious denomination.

"What separates us as believers in Christ is much less than what unites us." (Pope John XXIII)

Almost all important doctrine is completely agreed upon between Catholic Christians and other Christians.

Here is the joint declaration of justification by Catholics (1999), Lutherans (1999), and Methodists (2006):

By 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.

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontif ical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_c hrstuni_doc_31101999_cath-luth-joint-dec laration_en.html

There are many minor doctrine issues and some major cultural traditional differences which, I believe, do not matter that much.

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.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/inde x.shtml

With love in Christ.

2010-02-21 04:13:16 by sholing

Well, let's first address the few common Southern Baptist doctrines point-by-point
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_ba ptist#Theology_and_practice

1) Priesthood of all believers

Roman Catholics would agree except regarding interpretation of Scripture. Although Roman Catholics are certainly permitted to interpret Scripture themselves, they are expected to live according to the interpretation provided by the Roman Catholic Church.


2) Soul competency

Agree - each person is accountable before God.


3) Creeds and confessions

Southern Baptists believe that these can be revised in light of Scripture. Roman Catholics have, in the past, modified the wording of such creeds and confessions (see the history of the current Apostles' Creed), so I guess that there is agreement here.


4) Women in ministry

Agreement. Roman Catholics prohibit women only from priesthood, which is essentially equivalent to a Southern Baptist pastor.


5) Church and state

I am not sure if there is any Roman Catholic doctrine on this point. I know that Roman Catholic *officials* (priests) are not permitted to run for or hold public office. However, I do not believe that Roman Catholics demand a separation of church and state. By that I mean, I believe that the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) would not complain if they were made the state religion in some nation - and it may be tht they still hold such a status in some nations.


6) Missions

Agree.


7) Autonomy of local church.

Disagree. Baptists allow local churches to select their own pastor, and the particular doctrines preached by the pastor are largely unrestricted as long as they agree with the few Southern Baptist doctrines. RCC officials choose pastors for the churches under their care, and all RCC priests must teach doctrine that fully complies with the much more extensive RCC doctrine.


8) Cooperation

RCC has a similar common missionary program supported by all congregations.


9) Sexuality

Agreement. RCC states that homosexuality itself is not a sin, but that homosexual acts are "mortal" sins. Therefore, a homosexual *lifestyle* is not appropriate for a Roman Catholic.


10) Sanctity of life

Agreement.


Some other differences:

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) forms new policies, as the name suggests, in convention. The RCC can do so only with approval from the pope. In other words, the RCC is led by an individual, not a convention.

SBC has only two of what RCC calls "sacraments" - baptism and "the lord's supper". RCC has 7.

SBC baptism is always by a person who confessed their belief in the salvation of Jesus, who is of the "age of accountability" (whatever age THAT is - not specified, only vaguely defined), and is always full-immersion. None of these is a requirement of RCC baptism.

SBC "lord's supper" views that rite as symbolic in nature, and it's frequency is determined by each congregation. The RCC "lord's supper" occurs during every "mass" - meaning very nearly every religious service - and they view the bread and wine as the literal, physical "body and blood of Jesus" (though not as human cell tissue).

In my experience, SBC demands a reliance on Scripture for doctrine - a sort of "sola scriptura". Baptists in general *insist* that a personal interpretation of Scripture is required, though the interpretation of some respected other can be adopted as your own personal interpretation. RCC relies on Scripture, on the traditional RCC doctrines that pre-date the bible, *and* on any "new" doctrines that the RCC establishes. Note that "new" doctrines are claimed to be compatible with (never contradict) both Scripture and traditional doctrines.

I think that covers most of the issues.

Jim, http://www.bible-reviews.com/selector_rc .html

2009-04-20 06:29:50 by ......

I've been noting some articles about how the Russian Orthodox Church wants to put a stop to the influx of Roman Catholics and other "Western" Churches. What is the difference in their beliefs?

Ecclesiastical:
Orthodox bishops are independent, as are Orthodox Churches. The Roman Catholic Church has an ecclesiastical hierarchy. Orthodox priests are free to marry, as long as they do so before ordination. Orthodox Christians do not recognize the authority of the Pope as the 'bishop of bishops' or the arbiter of orthodoxy.

Ritualistic:
Orthodox Christians follow the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, which is considerably different from the Latin Mass. Orthodox Christians celebrate the death of the Virgin Mary, rather than her bodily assumption into heaven. Orthodox Christians take both bread and wine in the Eucharist, and use leavened bread instead of unleavened bread.

Theological:
Vastly different. Orthodox theology does not accept the doctrines of Original Sin, substitutionary atonement, created grace, purgatory, or a created hell. They do not believe that the bread and wine is literally transformed into the flesh and blood of Christ, but that the bread and wine are permeated with the energy of God. Orthodoxy maintains that there is a difference between the Essence and Energies (or attributes) of God. Salvation in Orthodoxy is not a matter of being equitted for breaking a law - salvation in Orthodoxy is a matter of attaining an ontological union with God.

That is a very superficial explanation. I recommend that you dig a little deeper if you want a complete analysis of the differences between these two denominations. Also keep in mind that there are 'Uniate' Churches who are Eastern Orthodox in exterior form, but Roman Catholic in theology. Russian Orthodox Churches are also much closer to Roman Catholicism than Greek Orthodox Churches. And many Orthodox Churches in the U.S. are populated by converts who may or may not be familiar with traditional Orthodox doctrine or theology (despite publishing many, many books on the subject).

Recommended Reading:
Anything put out by the Church of Greece, Fr. John S. Romanides (http://www.romanity.org), Orlapubs articles on Eastern Orthodoxy (I forget the link), anything by Met. Hierotheos Vlachos, Georges Florovsky, Kalistos Ware.

2007-01-25 22:20:18 by George McCasland - Dads Rights

What are the beliefs of the Roman Catholic faith on how to be saved. And why do they confess to priests, worship Mary, and have rosary?
In reading about this I would like to answer Father K on his points.
Firstly John 20:21. Jesus wasn’t sent to forgive sins as a man on earth, but by His death. They were not sent to be priests and kings, like him, but only prophets. As he was sent to bear witness to the truth, so were they; not to be mediators of the reconciliation, but only preachers and publishers of it. Was he sent, not to be ministered to, but to minister? (Matt 20:28) not to do his own will, but the will of him that sent him? (John 5:30) not to destroy the law and the prophets, but to fill them up? (Matt 5:17) So were they.
Secondly, John 20:23. So by the doctrines of the Roman Catholic faith, unless our trespasses and sins are spoken to an apostle (priest if you may) then we will not have them forgiven. This is far off the mark. The power to forgive sin belongs only to God, but Jesus claimed to have this power and right (Mark 2:5-7). What he commits to the disciples, and to us, is the power and privilege of g

I'll take the Confession part:

Simply because Jesus Christ Granted the Apostles His Authority to Forgive Sins!!!!

John 20:21 - before He grants them the authority to forgive sins, Jesus says to the apostles, "as the Father sent me, so I send you." As Christ was sent by the Father to forgive sins, so Christ sends the apostles and their successors forgive sins.

John 20:22 - the Lord "breathes" on the apostles, and then gives them the power to forgive and retain sins. The only other moment in Scripture where God breathes on man is in Gen. 2:7, when the Lord "breathes" divine life into man. When this happens, a significant transformation takes place.

John 20:23 - Jesus says, "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained." In order for the apostles to exercise this gift of forgiving sins, the penitents must orally confess their sins to them because the apostles are not mind readers. The text makes this very clear.

Matt. 9:8 - this verse shows that God has given the authority to forgive sins to "men." Hence, those Protestants who acknowledge that the apostles had the authority to forgive sins (which this verse demonstrates) must prove that this gift ended with the apostles. Otherwise, the apostles' successors still possess this gift. Where in Scripture is the gift of authority to forgive sins taken away from the apostles or their successors?

Matt. 9:6; Mark 2:10 - Christ forgave sins as a man (not God) to convince us that the "Son of man" has authority to forgive sins on earth.

Luke 5:24 - Luke also points out that Jesus' authority to forgive sins is as a man, not God. The Gospel writers record this to convince us that God has given this authority to men. This authority has been transferred from Christ to the apostles and their successors.

Matt. 18:18 - the apostles are given authority to bind and loose. The authority to bind and loose includes administering and removing the temporal penalties due to sin. The Jews understood this since the birth of the Church.

John 20:22-23; Matt. 18:18 - the power to remit/retain sin is also the power to remit/retain punishment due to sin. If Christ's ministers can forgive the eternal penalty of sin, they can certainly remit the temporal penalty of sin (which is called an "indulgence").

2 Cor. 2:10 - Paul forgives in the presence of Christ (some translations refer to the presences of Christ as "in persona Christi"). Some say that this may also be a reference to sins.

2 Cor. 5:18 - the ministry of reconciliation was given to the ambassadors of the Church. This ministry of reconciliation refers to the sacrament of reconciliation, also called the sacrament of confession or penance.

James 5:15-16 - in verse 15 we see that sins are forgiven by the priests in the sacrament of the sick. This is another example of man's authority to forgive sins on earth. Then in verse 16, James says “Therefore, confess our sins to one another,” in reference to the men referred to in verse 15, the priests of the Church.

1 Tim. 2:5 - Christ is the only mediator, but He was free to decide how His mediation would be applied to us. The Lord chose to use priests of God to carry out His work of forgiveness.

Lev. 5:4-6; 19:21-22 - even under the Old Covenant, God used priests to forgive and atone for the sins of others.

2007-02-08 09:26:06 by fresh_prince_of_bel_fast