re-catholic christianity beliefs/teavhings/practices

• Christianity is split into two sections: beliefs and teachings, and practices
• In the creation story, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all present from day one
• Creation: Christians believe that God created the entire universe, including Earth and mankind
• Exam question: Explain two ways belief about creation might influence Christians today
• Nature of God: Christianity is a monotheistic religion with beliefs in God's characteristics like omnipotence, omnibenevolence, and omniscience
• Exam question: Explain two Christian beliefs about the nature of God
• Incarnation: Jesus is considered God incarnate, making it easier for Christians to understand his actions and teachings
• Exam question: Explain two ways belief about incarnation might influence Christians today
• Holy Trinity: The concept of the Trinity involves three persons of God who are equally God but not equal to one another
• Exam question: Explain two Christian beliefs about the Trinity
• Crucifixion: Jesus was sentenced to death by crucifixion, a significant event in Christianity that teaches forgiveness and redemption
• Exam question: Explain two ways belief about crucifixion might influence Christians today
• Resurrection and Ascension: Jesus rose from the dead, solidifying his divine status and giving Christians faith in life after death
• Exam question: Explain two ways belief about resurrection might influence Christians today
• Sin and Salvation: Christians believe in original sin and that salvation is possible through the grace of God
• Exam question: Explain two Christian beliefs about salvation
• Life After Death: Many Christians believe in resurrection, with different beliefs about when and how it occurs
• Christian belief about life after death:

  • Christians believe in an afterlife, but the specifics vary among denominations
  • Humans receive eternal life as a gift from God, and their afterlife depends on their belief in God
  • God decides the fate of those who die based on their life, thoughts, actions, and closeness to God
  • Illustrated in the parable of the sheep and the goats
• Christian belief about salvation:

  • Salvation means being saved from sin and its consequences
  • Two methods of salvation: through good works and through grace (given by God through faith in Jesus)
  • Jesus's death atones for original sin, showing forgiveness and offering eternal life with God
• Christian belief about heaven and hell:

  • Heaven is where Christians experience God's presence eternally, while hell is the eternal absence of God
  • Some believe in an intermediate stage called purgatory
  • Views on heaven's nature vary among Christians, from physical to spiritual interpretations
  • Hell is seen as a place of eternal suffering, ruled by the devil
• Christian worship:

  • Worship involves religious praise, honor, or devotion through prayer, meditation, Bible reading, singing hymns, and preaching
  • Types of worship: liturgical (set service) and non-liturgical (no set order)
  • Worship can be public, private, or informal, depending on the setting and practices
• Holy Communion (Eucharist):

  • A service celebrating Jesus's sacrificial death and resurrection using bread and wine
  • Views on the Eucharist vary: Catholics believe in transubstantiation, while Protestants see it as symbolic
  • Communion symbolizes unity among Christians and with God
• Prayer in Christianity:

  • Prayer is communication with God through words of praise, thanksgiving, confession, or request for help
  • Types of prayer: set prayers (e.g., the Lord's Prayer) and informal prayers
  • Christians believe that God answers prayers, even if not always in the expected way
• Pilgrimage in Christianity:

  • Pilgrimage is a journey to a holy site for religious reasons, often to grow closer to God, seek forgiveness, reflect, or pray for special intentions
  • Examples of pilgrimage sites: Lourdes in France and Iona in Scotland
  • Pilgrimage is not compulsory but can play a significant role in a Christian's faith journey
• Baptism in Christianity:

  • Baptism is a sacrament that initiates individuals into Christianity, symbolizing forgiveness of sins and entry into a new life with Jesus
  • Two types of baptism: infant baptism (forgiveness of original sin) and believer's baptism (for adults who understand the commitment)
• Infant baptism:

  • Pro: Allows a person to be devoted to God their entire life
  • Con: Means you have no understanding of the commitment and it's enforced
• Believer's baptism:

  • Pro: Does not allow devotion to God their entire life
  • Con: Allows a person to be devoted to God their entire life
• Festivals in Christianity:

  • Days or periods of celebration for religious reasons
  • Help Christians remember major events in their religion and plan their public worship
• Main Christian seasons:

  • Advent, Christmas, Epiphany
  • Lent, Easter, Pentecost
• Christmas:

  • Commemorates the incarnation of Jesus on December 25th
  • Celebrated for 12 days, ending with the feast of the Epiphany
  • Homes decorated with lights symbolizing Jesus as the light of the world
  • Nativity scenes depict Jesus born into poverty
  • Carol services with readings about God's promise of a savior and events in Jesus's birth
  • Midnight mass on Christmas Eve
  • Exchange of cards and gifts as a time of peace and goodwill, with gifts going to charity
• Easter:

  • Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead
  • Holy Week leading up to Easter Sunday remembers events leading to Jesus's crucifixion
  • Good Friday marks Jesus's crucifixion
  • Easter Sunday churches filled with flowers, hymns sung
  • Some churches have special vigils with the lighting of the Paschal candle
• Street Pastors:

  • Organization working on the streets to help vulnerable people
  • Provide care, support, and discourage anti-social behavior
• Mission and Evangelism:

  • Mission: Going out into the world to spread faith
  • Evangelism: Spreading the Christian gospel through preaching or witness
• Church Growth:

  • Rapid growth in South America, Africa, and Asia
  • Persecution in Europe, the USA, and the Middle East
  • Examples of church growth organizations and their impact
• Reconciliation in the Worldwide Church:

  • Sacrament of penance and reconciliation
  • Efforts to restore relationships with God and one another
• Persecution in the Worldwide Church:

  • Hostility and ill-treatment towards Christians
  • Efforts to strengthen faith in the face of persecution
• Christian Responses to Poverty:

  • Christian charities working to relieve poverty
  • Examples of organizations and their efforts to combat poverty