Tagged Questions

8
votes
3answers
1k views

Does Catholic doctrine teach that atheists go to heaven, too?

From http://gawker.com/pope-says-atheists-can-be-as-good-as-catholics-509487907 Referencing a passage from the Gospel of Mark in his homily, the Pope recounted the story of a priest who told an ...
6
votes
2answers
104 views

To which Saints may a Catholic pray, and when can this begin?

The Catholic Church teaches, as I understand it, that a person may pray to a Saint, and this Saint will then intercede along with that person to God concerning the request (or something like that). ...
3
votes
3answers
104 views

Did God ever talk about his other creations?

I have always been a lover of all things "Science", space, other life forms, etc. I excelled in Science in School but a few years ago I started questioning things and now believe that "Science" and ...
8
votes
2answers
133 views

When did Peter become the first Pope, according to Roman Catholic doctrine?

Roman Catholic doctrine teaches that the apostle Peter was the first Pope. Exactly when did this occur? I can imagine a few different options When Jesus addressed Peter in Matthew: I also ...
11
votes
3answers
195 views

When did Mary and Joseph learn that they were never supposed to have marital relations, according to Roman Catholic doctrine?

Roman Catholic doctrine teaches that Mary remained a virgin her entire life, even after marrying Joseph. It would seem that Joseph and Mary, at their betrothal, had likely expected to have, and ...
9
votes
3answers
127 views

Did Mary know she was sinless, according to Roman Catholic teaching?

The Roman Catholic Church teaches the Immaculate Conception that asserts Mary was conceived without sin and remained sinless for her entire life. Assuming this to be true, did Mary know that she ...
5
votes
2answers
77 views

What is the difference between a dogma, a doctrine, an infallible statement, an ex cathedra statement, etc.?

There are a variety of terms used in the Catholic Church to refer to particular statements or beliefs. Here are a number of some such terms: Dogma Doctrine Infallible statement Infallible papal ...
2
votes
2answers
89 views

Which Roman Catholic doctrines are infallible?

I know that the Pope can speak infallibly (ex cathedra), and that this has officially been done once, as well as three times before Papal infallibility was formally declared. I would assume that any ...
4
votes
1answer
74 views

Can Catholics choose to be baptized by immersion?

I understand that the most prominent manner in which Catholics are baptized is by pouring. However, I saw somewhere that baptism by immersion is not considered wrong by the Catholic Church. (If this ...
4
votes
2answers
78 views

According to Roman Catholic orthodoxy, is Jesus Christ a human person, a divine person, both, or none?

I'll give you an example of a divine person: God the Father. I'll give you an example of a human person: the apostle Paul. According to Roman Catholic orthodoxy (note: cite it), is Jesus Christ a ...
7
votes
2answers
158 views

Why do Catholics believe that it is a priest's blessing that transforms the elements into the body and blood of Christ?

I understand that Catholicism teaches the doctrine of transubstantiation, that is, that the bread and wine of the Eucharist are transformed into the literal body and blood of Christ. This apparently ...
6
votes
2answers
236 views

What is the Biblical basis for the Catholic teaching that infant baptism cleanses from original sin?

The Catholic Church, possibly the Orthodox Churches, and even some Protestant churches practice Infant Baptism. However, I understand that Catholicism teaches that infant baptism cleanses the infant ...
4
votes
2answers
109 views

What is the biblical argument used by Protestants against the Catholic doctrine of Penance?

The Catholic Church holds to the doctrine of Penance. As I understand it, this refers to various deeds prescribed by a priest to the confessing person that must do to make amends for his own sin, ...
5
votes
2answers
151 views

Why was eating meat on Fridays forbidden in the Catholic Church for so many years?

I understand that the Catholic Church forbade people from eating meat on Fridays for many years. It seems that it is no longer every Friday, but just during Lent. Also, it is not all meat, but all ...
4
votes
1answer
88 views

What is the basis for the Roman Catholic teaching regarding the Sin of Presumption?

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that there is something called the Sin of Presumption, which states that it is a sin for one to believe that he or she is assured of his or her salvation. It seems ...
1
vote
2answers
133 views

According to Roman Catholic teaching, did people who died in Old Testament times spend time in Purgatory?

I understand that the Roman Catholic Church teaches that people today spend time in Purgatory after they die prior to going to heaven. However, this teaching does not appear to have been taught in ...
5
votes
1answer
90 views

According to Roman Catholic Doctrine, what things have the power to decrease a person's time in purgatory?

Roman Catholic teaching states that many people spend a certain amount of time in purgatory after they die before going to heaven. I remember hearing something to the effect that people who are still ...
3
votes
1answer
79 views

According to Roman Catholic Doctrine, does everyone spend time in purgatory?

As I understand it, the Roman Catholic Church teaches that there is place of suffering called Purgatory where people spend time being purged of the sins they committed on earth. However, it seems ...
6
votes
1answer
52 views

What different acts do Catholic priests require of people who go to confession?

I understand that when people go to confessional in the Catholic Church, the priest will often prescribe certain things for them to do for penance in order for their sins to be forgiven. I have heard ...
10
votes
2answers
258 views

Do Priests, Cardinals, and Popes have a confessional to which they themselves can/should/must go?

The confessional is a standard practice of the Roman Catholic Church where church members may (or must) go to confess their sins to a priest. As I understand it, the priest then decides whether or ...
7
votes
2answers
81 views

Pre-Crucifixion Transubstantiation

The Roman Catholic church teaches the doctrine of transubstantiation--that the bread and wine literally become the body and blood of Jesus. It seems that the sacrament of taking the body and blood ...
6
votes
1answer
60 views

What is a “Pentecostal Catholic”?

One of my new neighbors is a "Pentecostal Catholic" from India. I have heard of this denomination before, during an Evangelical Missiological Society conference, but didn't have a reason to ...
10
votes
1answer
202 views

Which doctrines are based solely on the apocrypha?

What Roman Catholic doctrines are based only in the 7 books canonized by the Roman church, but not accepted by Protestants. (e.g., Tobit, Judith, Maccabees, the additions to Daniel and Esther, etc...) ...
3
votes
2answers
184 views

What is the biblical basis against Sola Fide (salvation by faith alone, apart from works)

One of the key points of the Reformation was the doctrine of Sola Fide, that salvation is by faith alone, apart from works. This was a contrast from the doctrine of the Catholic church. What, then, ...
5
votes
3answers
90 views

Changes in Rome since Trent versus the Evangelicals

I am aware that there have been two wide spread movements to bring the Evangelical and Roman Catholic Churches closer together (ECT and ECT2). My question is this: What has changed in Roman Catholic ...
3
votes
1answer
132 views

What is the basis for the Catholic teaching that abortion is immoral/sinful?

What is the doctrinal basis for the Catholic teaching that abortion is immoral? I understand that these will be based on Scripture, but will likely come from official Catholic documents. So, I'm ...
7
votes
2answers
289 views

What is the basis for the Catholic teaching that artificial birth control is immoral/sinful?

I understand that the original commandment to be fruitful and multiply involves reproduction. However, planning to wait a little bit here and there seems reasonable enough. So, what is the reasoning ...
9
votes
1answer
184 views

What is the Catholic stance on Embryo Screening?

Embryo Screening is the process of fertilizing multiple eggs, checking their DNA makeup, and then screening out the eggs that do not meet the requirements. These requirements can be anything from ...
8
votes
2answers
540 views

What is the Catholic stance against In Vitro Fertilization?

I was researching a different question and saw that some people find that In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is something that should be avoided on the basis of religious grounds. Does anyone know what ...
8
votes
3answers
921 views

In which other churches do Roman Catholics recognise apostolic succession?

The Roman Catholic Church derives much of its claim to legitimacy from the teaching of "apostolic succession". Other churches also believe that their priests derive their authority in an unbroken ...