Abstract
This paper discusses Roman Catholicism. The author describes the beliefs and practices of Roman Catholics as well as the history and formation of the religion. The paper explains Catholics' idea of sin and belief in angels and Satan and also how Roman Catholicism differs from other denominations of Christianity.

Outline:
Introduction
Catholic Beliefs
Catholic Philosophy
Who is Catholic?
The Practice of Catholicism
Holidays
Sharing the Gospel with a Catholic
Works Cited

From the Paper
"Instead, bringing the Gospel to Catholics may require some extensive theological studies, so that one can argue about the true facts behind Christianity and the deception practiced by the Catholic Church. For example, one of the main tenets of Catholicism is that only celibate men can be members of the priesthood, based on the idea that Jesus only chose men as his Apostles. However, there is substantial scriptural and historical support for the idea that Mary, Mother of God, and Mary Magdalene were among Christ's first Apostles. Mary, Mother of God, certainly played an important role in the beginning days of Christ's church. Moreover, the Catholic Church has spent the last 2,000 years decrying the importance of Biblical writings that stress the equality of women, despite the fact that historical and Biblical experts place these books as part of the Bible."

Tags:religion, christianity, canonization, gospels

Abstract
This paper begins with a general definition on the Roman Catholic denomination of Christianity. The paper focuses on the the origins of Catholicism and offers a historical review on this topic. In the conclusion the author offers a personal opinion on findings, and mentions the theories that doubt the existence of a historical Jesus.

Table of Contents:
The Roman Catholic Version
The Historical View of the Origins of the Catholic Religion
Conclusion
Works Cited

From the Paper
"Very few non-Christian writings from the period mention Jesus or Christianity. Only the work of four major non-Christian historians contains any mention to Jesus or Christianity. They include Josephus, a Jew and Roman citizen who wrote Antiquities of the Jews in 93 AD; Pliny the Younger (c. 63-113 AD) who was a lawyer and philosopher in ancient Rome; Suetonius (c. 69-110), a Roman historian and biographer; and Tacitus (c. 56-117) another important Roman historian. Even the writings of these writers about Christianity are extremely sketchy and do not throw significant light on the light and teachings of Jesus, his early followers or the origins of Christianity. In fact the passage in Josephus' "Antiquities" about Jesus has been noted by some scholars to contain several "internal indicators" that are seem to be inconsistent with the rest of Josephus' writing, indicating that part or all of the passage may have been interpolated by later Christians."

Tags:religion, Christianity, Jesus, history

Abstract
This paper studies the dramatic changes and upheavals Roman Catholicism has faced in its three hundred year history in the U.S. The paper discusses how individual Catholics and their church have at times been the targets of glaring religious prejudice and discrimination. The paper also examines the relationship between the American church and Rome, citing that while the the church was established by Rome, it was actually later condemned by the Pope himself. The paper then examines how the American Catholic church settled back into a period of calm obedience with the Papacy, before once again becoming a noisy, fractious divided place of worship over the last four decades.

From the Paper
"Remarkably, Americans began their branch of the Roman Catholic Church in distinctly democratic fashion. The first diocese began in Baltimore in 1789, and the first American bishop, John Carroll, was elected the following year by clergymen of the diocese. These clergymen and even Carroll himself envisioned the continuation of this elective process, though, of course, Rome's approval would be required for all choices. Indeed, they also envisioned a church grounded in principles of religious tolerance that would be open and inviting to all, and, of great importance, in which Mass would be said in English. However, it did not take long for this vision to fade. Under prodding from Rome, by 1800 the elective experiment had been abandoned and Rome was making all appointments of bishops. Soon, Latin displaced English in church ceremonies and services, and the American Catholic church more and more resembled a virtual clone of the ancient European model. At the same, American independence slowly slipped away (Gillis 58)."

Tags:Pope, Papacy, church, catholics, mass, rome, religion, priest, worship

Abstract
This paper argues that the basic characteristics of Italian's popular religion are the same characteristics that ultimately, have prevented the United States of America from developing a popular religion in its own right. These characteristics include political resistance and reaction against the power of the preexisting and prevailing dominant religious power force - Catholicism; social atmosphere that arises from an evangelical value that unites from and is sustained by religious symbols and rituals; and, an overall cultural feeling of fidelity to the sacred, to the past.

From the Paper
"Popular religion is a religion of the people, one that is practiced rather than prescribed. Badone (1990) states, "popular religion can be referred to as those informal, unofficial practices, beliefs, and styles of religious expression that lack the formal sanction of established church structures" (4,6). Not merely a religion set apart from traditional Catholicism or Protestantism, its foundation lies in the friction of politics, where popular religion serves to unite the people, and becomes a reaction to the pre-existing religious power structures that oversee society. Essentially, it is a social creation intertwined with political dissatisfaction and the preservation, and restructuring of, sacred religious values. In this paper I will argue that the basic characteristics of Italian popular religion are the same characteristics that ultimately, have prevented the United States of America from developing a popular religion in its own right. These characteristics include political resistance and reaction against the power of the preexisting and prevailing dominant religious power force - Catholicism; social atmosphere that arises from an evangelical value that unites from and is sustained by religious symbols and rituals; and, an overall cultural feeling of fidelity to the sacred, to the past."

Tags:constitution, popular, religion, sociology, catholic, church, italy, culture

Abstract
This paper explores the relationship between politics, religion, and literature from James I through William III, paying special attention to the move towards greater religious toleration in England as well as the rest of Europe. The literature of John Donne and John Milton is used to exemplify the changing times and numerous quotes from outside sources are used to back up main points.

From the Paper
"The 17th century was a time of great political and religious unrest in England. The era saw both passive and militant Protestants and Roman Catholics be put on the throne, as well as the first and only Lord Protector in Oliver Cromwell, in the country's quest towards ultimate religious toleration. Most of the political upheaval of this era can be traced to fundamental religious differences dividing the country at the time. Brave and ground-breaking literary figures such as John Donne and John Milton emerged during this era, questioning the traditional values that had stood for so long as integral parts of the Church, playing their part in extending the fractioning of Christianity that had been started a century before by Martin Luther. By the time of the Restoration the view of Kingship would have changed considerably and great strides toward the goal of religious tolerance and understanding among the growing number of sects would be made."

Tags:17th, catholicism, century, charles, christianity, cromwell, donne, elizabeth, england, english, era, holy

Abstract
This paper explains that having faith in religious terms means believing in the presence of a greater force or forces. Faith in Buddhism, the author points out, means believing that the Buddha is the Awakened Being as a teacher of utmost capabilities, that his spiritual doctrine Dharma is the truth and that his followers Sangha are the rightly guided. Whereas, the paper continues, in Catholicism, faith is the belief in the ascension of an individual to the truths taught through the scriptures and traditions of the Church and the belief in the Holy Trinity as a premise that must be accepted without doubt.

Table of Contents:
What is Faith?
Faith and Belief
Faith in Religion
Buddhism
Faith and Belief in Buddhism
Limitations in Buddhism
Catholicism
Faith and Belief in Catholicism
Distortion of Faith
My Experience: A Comparison of Buddhism and Catholicism

From the Paper
"While you know that such action causes such event, you cannot be entirely sure as to whether this will change in the future. Faith means choosing to believe and to despite the fact that there may be doubt that that a proposition is true. Wanting to believe does not lead to faith.
"While faith feeds from belief, it is not wholly dependent upon it. Faith also includes trust, and trust often does not involve past proof, but rather a general expectation of behavior or action."

Tags:belief, greater force, tradition miscommunication

Abstract
The paper outlines the early years of Christianity and the Catholic Church and looks at Catholicism in the modern world. The paper then looks at the founding and religion of Islam and at the similarities and differences between Islam and Catholicism. The paper concludes that both Catholicism and Islam share more similarities than dissimilarities, particularly related to their belief in one all-powerful God and their devotion to the Holy Scriptures in the form of the Christian Bible and the Holy Quran.

From the Paper
"As a major branch of Christianity, Roman Catholicism dates back to around 312 AD when the Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and gave up all of his Roman pagan beliefs based on polytheism or the belief in more than one god. Constantine's so-called miraculous conversion to Christianity and the teachings of Jesus Christ heavily influenced other Romans to convert to this new religion and by the time of the edicts of Theodosius I in 380 AD, Christianity had become the official state religion of the Roman Empire, thus paving the way for the formation of the Holy Roman Empire.
"Between 312 and 337 A.D., Constantine ordered the building of numerous Christian churches and began to hand over the power of the church to the Bishop of Rome, a title which later became the Pontifex Maximus or the great pagan priesthood. It is because of this title that today's head of the Catholic church, being the pope, is known as the Pontiff, "the appointed civil head of the church," also called the Vicar of Christ and the Bishop of Bishops ("Roman Catholicism," 1997, Internet). Of course, after the formation of the Holy Roman Empire, Catholicism spread to all parts of Europe and the Roman Catholic Church, headed by the pope and based in the city of Rome, became the most powerful and influential religious entity in the known world."

Tags:Bible, Quran, Church, Christ, Allah

Abstract
This paper takes a look at the oldest and largest single denomination of Christianity, Catholicism. This paper aims to demystify the religion and explain what Catholicism means in today's day and age. The paper goes on to discuss the similarities between Catholicism and Judaism.

Outline:
Introduction
The Site
The Interview Summary
Catholicism and Judaism
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Because Christianity emerged from Judaism, there are many similarities. Of the major world religions, Catholicism and Judaism are the most similar (Kreeft, 1987). Catholics and Jews both believe in one God who is almighty and infinite. Both religions believe in one God who is holy, righteous, and just, as well as loving, forgiving, and merciful. Catholicism and Judaism share the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament) as the authoritative Word of God, although Catholicism includes the New Testament as well. "

Tags:father, bible, old, testament, origional, sin, God, faith, church

Abstract
This paper explores the major tenets of Catholicism and Judaism, highlighting their similarities and explaining the reasons behind their differences. The paper is written from a Christian perspective, but gives a very balanced explanation of Jewish customs and ideology. First, the paper presents background information about each religion, describing how each religion was founded and their major beliefs. Then,it describes the Catholic and Jewish perceptions of G-d, showing how these underlying differences in belief result in the rituals and rites varying considerably between the religions. The paper concludes by describing the family choices faced by an interfaith couple, especially regarding raising their child. It also discusses interfaith initiatives, such as communal Seders for Catholics and Jews.

From the Paper
"Catholic Christianity, which began in Jerusalem with the resurrection of Jesus in approximately 30 A.D. and the coming of the Holy Spirit,(O'Collins), actually emerged from Judaism. The first Jewish individuals, who expected that Christ had risen, formed a messianic, millennial group within Judaism. They put together two main elements: The belief that Jesus was the central protagonist, as well as taking certain relevant practices from the Jewish scriptures. Thus, from the beginning, there were certain values of Catholicism derived from their Jewish background; the initiation rite of baptism, for example took some aspects from the purification rituals of the Jewish religion."

Tags:scripture, Jesus Christ, Pope, Rome, Torah, Talmud, Abraham

Abstract
This paper explains that only after Scripture had been shaped and bordered did it turn out to be natural, or indeed likely, to see and to classify Christianity as a scriptural religion. The author points out that the traditional Catholic doctrines were, from the start, predicated upon the survival of Scripture as an absolute. The paper states that Catholicism is a faith able to differentiate itself from any society and yet is able to connect with and change them all.

Table of Contents
The Concept of Scripture in Catholicism
The Concept of Tradition in Catholicism
The Attempt of Church to Resolve Them
Conclusion

From the Paper
"John England, Bishop of Charleston, marked the pastoral and he mirrored the theology of Francis P. Kenrick. Kenrick had been a theologian at the First Provincial Council, then coadjutor Bishop of Philadelphia (1842-1851), Bishop of Philadelphia (1830-1842), and Archbishop of Baltimore (1851-1863). Extensively considered as the leading theologian among the bishops, in 1839, he published the first edition of his Theologia Dogmatica. In his dissertation on the Word of God, he attempted to give a tradition for the rule of faith."

Tags:scripture, change, absolute, faith, apostles