Learning about the Roman Catholic religion?

The Catholic Answers website is the best place for this

http://www.catholic.com/

Edit: I'm not sure the Catechism of the Catholic Church is the best starting point. It's a little heady, vague, and verbose. Guaranteed to put you to sleep.

There is so much ignorance in this question, it's hard to know where to start. First off, this isn't an opinion, you are making an accusation. You are listing facts that are invalid and without sources, your ignorance of the subject is astounding and yet you claim the Roman Catholic Church is evil. "It's so rich but doesn't share" um...yeah. Have you heard of the soup kitchens, the orphanages, the sick houses? Covents? All these are Catholic run organizations to which the Catholic Church gives and does not receive back. Have you heard of the Christian ban in China? Where if you're a Christian, you could be killed? The Catholic Church funds those who are in hiding, even sending their priests there so those people can receive the Eucharist (it's a volunteer job as well) even at the risk of their own lives. They set up churches in Africa, they are actually the lead benefactor for the AIDS treatment in Africa, thank you very much. "You pay to save your soul!" I'm guessing this is refering to indulgences. The idea behind indulgences was to make a sacrifice for those you love, but back in the 'dark ages' there were many priests who took advantage of this, but it WASN'T the Catholic Church. Actually, any time it was known to be done, it was stopped, but back then there wasn't really any way to know quickly. Everything was letters carried on horseback, not exactly the fastest. "It has only recently stopped discriminating people like the jews" Oh really, so that's why we rescued them from the Muslims three or more times? That's why we gave them sanction and help when they were being persecuted? Let's move to the next one as it ties in with the one above it. "It supported Hitler", now this one is always misunderstood. Many people think because the Pope didn't sign the Allies treaty that it meant he must've been in league with Hitler. Truth is, the Pope was the lone voice speaking out against Hitler and the atrosities that were happening to the Jews. Even Times Magazine said that and they are certainly not Catholic. Go to the Houlocaust Muesam and you'll see the truth. The Pope saved thousands of Jews lives by opening Rome's boarders and taking them in. The reason he didn't sign the treaty was because he told the Allies they needed to include Russia in the document for the atrosities found there as well. But since Russia was an ally--at the moment--they didn't want to upset them and refused. So the Pope refused to sign as well, saying he couldn't as a religous leader, ignore one atrosity for another. That is why the rumor goes around that we supported Hitler. Doesn't matter if it's true or not, which it isn't. "It causes overpopulation" this must go towards our stand on contraception of all kinds. Did you know that Natural Family Planning (NFP) is 99.9% effective if done correctly? Did you know that a condom is only 67% effective and birth control is only 42% effective? Research NFP and you'll find that the countries that have overpopulation problems that are using NFP are steadily decreasing. The birth rate is so low in these countries, it's almost non-existant 0.0013. We don't say "Pop out a child every year! Go!" We do say though "Be open to life and God." We believe that using birth control is against God because you are making an act of God into a god. People who use NFP actually have better marriages and the divorce rate for those who use it is maybe 2%. The problem with you 'opinion' is you've formed one without even researching it. You said you've been thinking about it, but I can think the sky is green and form an opinion on it, but it is nothing without the research. Look into things before you decide an answer to it.

May I suggest you forget about book etc. for now and just visit one or two Roman Catholic Churches that are open near you.Go alone in the middle of the day,say some Saturday, and just sit there for say half an hour and watch and listen. If you feel like it just kneel down and "listen" to your thoughts.Later you may wish to speak to someone,but keep it simple until you feel comfortable with yourself.

Small beginnings.If you feel you are comfortable and more confidant then you can enquire further, the opportunities will arise if after some time you are not happy then no harm will have been done but believe me you will have benefitted in some way.

God Bless.

I am Roman Catholic from birth and baptism and still am learning things about this religion. Books have been my major source lately..

I read one by Gary Wills "Why I'm Catholic" that really captured my attention, and as a result of ascertations made in that book by its auther, I was motivated to read a sampling of books written by Joseph Ratzinger, now known more as Pope Benedict XVI

Of this sampling, I recommend to anyone so able to digest the complexities of things written by an author prone to such deep theology these:

"God Is Love" - 2006 encyclical by Pope Benedict XVI (aka Joseph Ratzinger)

"Why I'm a Catholic" - by Gary Wills, a Jesuit-educated historian of U.S. origins

Otherwise, if you are not inclined to such cerebral matter (and it does get esoteric) then I recommend you go to a local Roman Catholic church - attend Mass - read the bulletins and join in on the activities that are advertised in the bulletins. The "Little Parishes" would be excellent.

I think that to understand the Roman Catholic religion you need to understand its practice - that is the routine of going to Mass, attending the social functions, knowing the community. It's something that becomes woven into every day life in a way that I can't explain in mear typed words to you here.

Blessings to you!

-M

p.s. if I knew you in real life, and you asked me this question, I would invite you to come with me to Mass etc. and I would not try to "evangelize" you, rather I'd just try to answer your questions, or tell you of people I know who may have answers you are looking for. Maybe you know someone personally who would do this for you? Because I know I'm not so unique in these ideas and attitudes.

I have taught Catholic Religious education classes the best place is simply the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the papal documents (it is directly what the Church says and not anyone's interpretation of it)

http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.ht...

if you want to go more weighty there are several book which contain the documents by subject or council like the Documentary of Social Teachings, Documents of Vatican II , also found online at http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vat... etc.

Or a complete list of Vatican documents

http://www.secondexodus.com/html/vaticandocs/centr...

Also the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Documents which can be found under the title Church documents. Here is the homepage:

http://www.nccbuscc.org/

A summary of Catholic beliefs is contained in the Nicene Creed (from the year 325):

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us and our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the scriptures: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

For a complete description of what Catholics believe, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm

With love in Christ.

The best way to learn is to talk to a priest. or a credible source, if you were to talk to just anyone you might end up getting an unfair one sided view. A priest might be able to answer alot of your questions.

I am Roman Catholic and proud to say that, yet not so proud of its past and I say that because of how people have abused teachings and different methods of corruption, the words of our God are very simple and to me are rules to live by rather than strict guidelines and no way a reason to get Fanatical about.

I know I haven't gave you any solid resources, but I don't think if you want to learn about this, is it going to be a simple thing such as an obscure reference on the net. keep a open mind and an eye out for someone who is willing to hear you. and I am sure if the priest you talk to is anyone who truly understands, he will be more than nice enough to share feelings and information.

Take care, and good luck with your search.

Not a problem. Thank you for your interest. Here's a great site I use all the time: www.catholic.com.

Also, there are great books by authors Scott Hahn and Allen Schrek that answer many questions about the Catholic faith.

God bless and take care.

Read the Cathecism of the Catholic Church, it contains all about what catholics believe. If you're interested in knowing more just go to the near local parish and look into study groups, and bible study groups.

Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church.