Roman Catholicism

I will answer all of your questions as thoroughly as I possibly can. 1. "Overall what is your opinion of the Roman Catholic church? " A: I firmly believe the Roman Catholic Church is an institution of hope and love. Through it we are saved. My opinion is that the Roman Catholic Church is both just and generous. 2. "In your view what is the best thing about Catholicism? " A: IF Catholicism is objectively true (and I would argue that it is) then Catholicism is the singular most important religion. Catholicism is the key the the most important thing: salvation and eternity with God. If Catholicism is true, then Jesus is the supreme authority as He is in the Trinity. That means through the Church, a Church for sinners, humanity is saved. I believe that Catholicism acts like the map to heaven by giving us aid and guidance to live worthwhile lives that ultimately end in perfect joy. Religions cannot be equal. One has to be the true religion in accordance with objective reality. Catholicism either is the best religion or it is the worst religion dependent upon objective reality. 3. "What is the worst? " A: The Catholic institution as a divinely inspired Church through the Holy Spirit must be infallible. If the Catholic religion is true, then it is perfection. If false, then the Catholic Church is an absolute and utter filthy lie. Now, I would argue that the Catholic faith is true, thus making the Church as an institution perfect. However, individuals within the institution can act in immoral ways. We would not condemn America as a whole for the acts of certain people within the institution if the institution itself teaches moral behavior. Applied to Catholicism, there can be no bad part within the religion itself. But some individuals such as Friar Tetzle through selling indulgences promising salvation and pedophile priests have acted against the Church and have sinned. Those people within the Catholic faith have no longer acted as Catholics and that is my issue that I have. 4. "How do you feel about how the church ways in on issues of equality? " A: Two of the most beloved followers of Jesus were Mary the Virgin Mother and Mary Magdalene. Jesus Himself first showed His resurrected self to both Mary's. Jesus' actions revealed the importance of gender equality and love. The Church carries on that message by condemning actions such as rape and oppression on the grounds of gender. The Pope spoke out against the actions of middle east leaders who have taken woman and children as hostages. And with regards to homosexual equality, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches Catholics to love and respect homosexuals as equally as anyone else. Some Catholics however fail to live up to that rule. The issue then becomes acting on homosexual intent for sexual intercourse. Sex, according to the Catholic Church must be 1. Love communicating and 2. Open to reproduction. Since homosexual intercourse cannot be open to reproduction, then homosexual sex is condemned just as much as premarital sex. Thus I believe the Church advocates for equality. 5. "How do you feel about proselytization of the religion? " A: Jesus gave His followers the job to spread the good news about His established religion. The Church should continue to missionary work in hopes to convert people to Catholicism. If the Catholic Church is objectively true, then why is trying to get people to believe in it any different than teaching students that 2 +2 =4? Objective truth must be promoted. 6. "Do you believe the dogma of the church (e. g. Jesus was crucified, buried on the third day rose again, born of a virgin, God is the creator of mankind e. t. c. )? " A: To answer simply, yes. I also believe in the doctrine of the Catholic faith. 7. "What are your praises of the church? " A: My praises would be, through all the criticism, the Catholic Church has consistently taught God's message. It has always been a place of hope and redemption for mankind. 8. "What are your criticisms of the church? " A: My only criticism deals with members within the Church acting in ways that actually go against the Church.