Premium Essay

Religious Field Research: Catholicism

In:

Submitted By mjack87
Words 1038
Pages 5
RELIGIOUS FIELD RESEARCH: CATHOLICISM

Being from a non-religious background myself in that I'm Agnostic, Catholicism is most intriguing to me because of all the stigmas and misconceptions surrounding this religion. I mean let's face it as soon as someone brings up Catholicism the first thing that pops into your head is Priests molesting little boys! Other misconceptions I found fascinating are: They pray to The Virgin Mary and to The Saints if they are a monotheistic religion why pray to Saints? I've always believed that Confession is a sure fire way to be absolved, and a ticket straight to heaven. I also did not understand that they believe in salvation of young children (babies) through baptism. I set out to see for myself about these misconceptions surrounding the Catholic Church, and I was quite surprised to what I found. Why do Catholics pray to The Virgin Mary and Saints? I was always under the impression that Catholicism is a monotheistic religion meaning they believe in one God. So to say the least I was confused as to why they would pray to Mary and the Saints thus meaning it would have to fall into the polytheistic (many Gods or Idols) category. I was told its more of an interception of prayer. "When we are in need of prayer we ask those closest to God." Hence praying to Mary or the Saints, because they are close to God. (Woodruff, 2012). To put it in another way of thinking, think about a child who has done wrong by his/her parents. If this child favors, say the mother over the father, and knows the father would be harsher on them if they told them their wrong doings. They would then go to their mother, and tell them their troubles. That way their mother will intercede on their behalf, and go to their father and tell them of the child's wrong doings, in hopes that they will not receive has stern a punishment. In doing this, Catholics hope that a

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Catholicism

...RUNNING HEAD: CATHOLICISM 1 Religious Field Research: Catholicism Diana Haynes Professor Jacqueline Trussell REL 212: World Religions March 3, 2012 CATHOLICISM 2 Many people have many misconceptions about the catholic religion myself included. Among the misconceptions that I had will also come the correct explanation of what really takes place or how things are really done within the religion of Catholicism. I had always believed that people of the catholic religion prayed to different saints and the Virgin Mary as kind of like you would an idol. What I did not realize was that this is not the case at all. As most people of the Christian faith do if we are having a hard time or if we have a prayer request, we ask those of faith to pray for us. In the catholic religion they do the same thing, a lady named Annie who has gone to St. Augustine’s Catholic church since she was a baby explained it to me as. “When they are praying to the saints or to the Virgin Mary they are praying for one of two things, either to ask that person to pray for them, or to ask them to intercede on their behalf.” (Adair, 2012) What interceding does is like when a child gets in trouble, or if they know they are going to get into trouble. They usually will go to one parent and talk or try to explain their side. So that, that parent can go to the other parent on their behalf, and explain what happen in hopes of a lesser punishment, or that the parent that...

Words: 1731 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Assignment 2: Report on Religious Field Research

...Assignment 2: Report on Religious Field Research Sage Smith REL 212 Monique Baucham March 11, 2012 I chose to research the Catholic religion since I know very little about the Catholicism except that it was my mother’s religion. I went to church very briefly but was too young to grasp what Catholicism was about and how a Catholic was taught to act and believe. When I was in high school, I briefly dated someone who was a very conservative Catholic and we talked about our beliefs. He informed me I could never be a ‘true’ Catholic because some of my personal beliefs went against the church’s teaching. However when I asked him if his views were based off personal beliefs, like mine, or if they were due to the teachings of his religion he couldn’t truly answer. That experience really turned me off to Catholicism. I felt religion wasn’t for me if that was what the church was teaching its ‘flock’; forcing them to believe what the church wants you to believe and installing within you the fear of sinning against or the threat of being removed from the church if your views are different. I’m not one who believes in following the teaching of a religion verbatim especially since most religions have not evolved with the changes of time and still hold strong to the ideals and beliefs that were prevalent hundreds of years ago. Before researching Catholicism I had many misconceptions regarding the Catholic religion. When I decided to research Catholicism I really felt this would...

Words: 1898 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Religion and Ethnic Diversity

...Religion and Ethnic Diversity Tracy Kimberly Mosiello ETh /125 November 17, 2013 Dr. Rochelle Holland Religious and Ethnic Groups Roman Catholic The first century of Christianity there was no "Roman Catholicism" as it is today. There was no Protestantism or Eastern Orthodoxy  to differentiate it. There was the "one, holy, catholic church" confirmed in the first beliefs, which was the group of Christian followers completely over the world, unified by mutual beliefs, church structure, traditions, and worship (catholic means "universal"). During the Middle Ages, if you were a Christian, you went to the Catholic Church. Any Christianity other than the Catholic Church was an unorthodox, not a denomination. Catholic Beliefs Roman Catholic beliefs don’t vary extremely as of those of the other main divisions of Christianity - Greek Orthodoxy and Protestantism. Altogether three foremost divisions hold to the principle of the Trinity, the holiness of Christ, the inspiration of the Bible, etc. There is a strong Catholic distinctive in belief. Distinctive Roman Catholic beliefs contain the exceptional power of the pope, the capacity of saints to mediate on behalf of followers, the idea of Purgatory as an area of life after death cleansing before arriving in Heaven, and the principle of transformation. ...

Words: 1212 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Catholic vs Christians

...CATHOLICISM vs. CHRISTIANITY HUM/130 SEPTEMBER 15 2011 CATHOLICISM vs. CHRISTIANITY Introduction Christianity is a practiced religion following the teachings of Jesus Christ, which started around 1 AD, and grew stronger after 3 AD when Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross by the Pharisees, Jewish religious leaders, and the Roman government for what the Jewish leaders said was blasphemy of the Jewish belief that Christ Jesus was calling himself the Son of God. The strength of this religion goes by what Jesus Christ said he would do when he was put to death. He proclaimed that after three days he would rise from his tomb, and on the third day he did just that according to scriptures in the New Testament. Before Jesus was born, the Judea or Jewish laws as described in the Torah were the only religion that offered forgiveness of ones sins from God by sacrifice of a lamb, goat, sheep, or wing animal depending on your sin, that is what you had to buy for the Pharisee to offer to God as your sacrifice. Along came Jesus to offer another way for forgiveness of sin by offering himself as the sacrifice. He was also accused of teaching Gods law to all Gentile and Jew, when the Jews thought they were the only ones worthy of God’s laws and forgiveness. Catholicism was born from Christianity. Having the same structured beliefs Catholicism separates its beliefs by adding other religious figures into its religion. Mary mother of Jesus is hailed as a holy person because she was chosen as the...

Words: 2364 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Mayan Research Papers

...Title – The Maya Student id – 136625 From – Manpreet Singh To instructor – Sharaf Research project outline: Vergara, C. (2009). Maya. In Worldmark encyclopedia of cultures and daily life (Vol.2,pp.355-359).Farmington,MI:Gale Introduction: My name is Manpreet Singh and I have chosen ethnography. Furthermore, I am going to write about the history of Maya. History: The location of Maya is southeastern Mexico; Guatemala; Belize; Honduras; El Salvador and their population is near about 8-10 million and they use different type of language such as Spanish; English; Mayan dialects and their religion is Folk Catholicism; evangelical Christianity. The Mayan civilization started in meso America about 4000 years ago and this period is known as Pre-classic period. However, from 250-900 AD Mayan culture reached on its highest point and done a great advancement in the different fields such as art, architecture, astronomy, and as well as in mathematics and they figured out the concept of zero also and Mayan People also created accurate calendar for 365 days. And they built great monuments and buildings also from their only the advancement gets started. During this period Maya human progress was framed by...

Words: 511 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Christianity

...Embryonic Stem Cell Research In 1998, the world was introduced to the start of embryonic stem cell research. It has since been the topic of a heated debate between politicians, religious figures, ethicists, theologians and scientists. It raises the question of whether or not the ends justify the means. Many people seem to have a different answer to this question but the overall response from a Catholic position, from an individual and Catholic Church standpoint is loud and clear: embryonic stem cell research is immoral. The sanctity of life is held in high regard in the Catholic tradition, therefore making embryonic stem cell research morally wrong. To justify this, it is important to consider whether or not an embryo is a human from perspectives that are for and against this research, and their justifications. Whilst there is no united Catholic view, drawing from traditional ethics and Catholic principles can give an estimate of the overall Catholic perspective on the treatment of human embryos as opposed to the foreseen medical benefits on the other end of the spectrum. In a broad sense, the use of human embryos is unjustifiable and wrong in the eyes of the Catholic community, no matter how promising the benefits are as it involves the killing of an embryo, and thus by extension, can be regarded as murder. “We value the preciousness of life…as far as IVF embryos are concerned, those who have the responsibility make those decisions, have already made an important ethical decision…the...

Words: 2225 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Italian Culture

...Italian Culture in America John Smith Psych 105 Dr. Diop Spring, 2012 Italian Culture in America America is known to be the country where most people from outside immigrate to, not only bringing their families but also their traditions with them. “According to the 2000 U.S. Census, almost 16 million Italian Americans live in the United States” (Quagliata, 2011, p. 1). Most immigrants that come to America lose their heritage; however, that is not the case for the Italian culture. Not only did Italians incorporate a style of living in America, they also brought their traditions into the country as well. Some of the customs they brought with them include their food, their game of bocce ball, their religion, and their way of greeting one another. Italian Food When thinking of the Italian culture, the first thing that comes to mind is their food. Cinotto (2000) states, “Since food is a cultural artifact, imbued with meanings and values, the cross-cultural consumption of Italian cuisine is a significant marker of the way in which others see and imagine Italy and the Italians” (p. 1). Pasta, parmesan, and cannoli’s are probably the most popular and most known Italian foods. With the way many Americans fell in love with the Italian food, it soon became part of the American culture as well. The Italian immigrants brought over their historical foods and formed new eating habits for the Americans, and most of the Italian food was shaped in Little Italy where the...

Words: 1253 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

The Church, Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

...under the title of Forms of Euthanasia, Religions and Death? (2009), different types of euthanasia are described, such as indirect, active, passive, voluntary, involuntary and non voluntary. On the other hand, assisted suicide is usually performed with the help of a health professional; that is why; it is usually called Physician Assisted Suicide (or PAS). The main controversy is over the different opinions on whether it is the sick patient’s decision or if it is a legal, ethical or religious issue to be considered by a third party. In order to practice assisted suicide in a country where it is legal, many factors should be present, such as the moral and religious beliefs of the patient and the physician or the patient’s family and the physician, as well as the legislation of the country where it is going to be carried out. At present, in countries where euthanasia is not legalized yet, it is very difficult to obtain legal permission to practice it. As regards the ethical field, it is the physician’s responsibility to respect and to be loyal to the Hippocratic Oath, which they swore to respect the moral principles of their medical profession. Most of the times, these principles overlap with euthanasia’s practices, as physicians are faced with a dilemma on whether to respect the patient’s decisions or to abide by the principles of medical ethics, which support...

Words: 2869 - Pages: 12

Free Essay

Pyc4811 Assignment 1

...PYC4811 Assignment 1- 657794 Student Number- 55560296 Community Psychology and Public Health’s Approaches to Social Problems Introduction Community Psychology and Public Health models both cover the same ground but with key differences in the explanation of causes and influences on mental illness. Community psychology has a primary focus on understanding, and working with, people in their wider social context. Public Health on the other hand is concerned with preventing disease and distress of all forms before they occur (Tutorial Letter 102 for PYC4811, 2015). It attempts through scientific investigation to understand such links between the socioenvironmental context and the individual and then to interrupt or otherwise alter these connections in an effort to reduce the likelihood of individuals engaging in high risk behaviours and being exposed to environments that could endanger their health (Tutorial Letter 102 for PYC4811, 2015). The central focus of both is focusing more on prevention rather than cure. In the era we are currently in most of the illnesses people suffer from are long term and chronic and therefore the need to see doctors so that is can be controlled is of high demand. The growing social upheaval and intensifying tensions in South Africa have evoked concern and panic among mental health professionals. In an attempt to lessen the anxiety many psychologists have boarded the community psychology wagon to cross the great divide between the ...

Words: 1443 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Canada's Cultural

...Canada Global Cultural José A. Rivera Osorio GRST 500 Research Paper Prof. Jared Mink April 8, 2014 Abstract Canada is the second largest country in the globe with population of over 32 million, the largest and most important industry Canada has is oil and logging. For businesses who want to expand towards Canada they are eight dimensions of business culture that will be detail in this analysis, and how NAFTA was formed. The agreements between U.S. and Canada with provisions that will benefit both countries, Canada also has bilateral agreements in trade with European Union and Asia, however we will only analyze U.S.-Canada cultures in business. Canada’s History The first inhabitants of Canada were native’s Indian people, primarily the Inuit “Eskimos. The Norse explorer Leif Eriksson reaches the shores of Canada at Nova Scotia in the year 1000, but the country actually begun 1497 with the introduction of the white man, John Cabot Italian at the service of King Henry VII of England reaches Nova Scotia. Canada was lost to the English in the year 1534 by Jacques Cartier which was the settlement of New France 1604, but was then was Nova Scotia in 1608. Quebec was founded, France’s colonization were not successful and ended at the end of 17th century. They penetrated beyond the Great Lakes to the western prairies and south along the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. The English Hudson’s Bay Company in 1670 establishes themselves because of the abundance of fisheries...

Words: 3276 - Pages: 14

Free Essay

4mat Review on Enstwistle

...Summary In reviewing the book “Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity” by David N. Entwistle (2010) the author poses many questions about integrating Christianity and psychology. The book begins with questioning the influence of religion on humanity in the example of the worshipers in the threating situation of sitting in a church filled with carbon-monoxide. The events of that occurrence lead the author to take a deeper look into integration. Entwistle goes on to explore the many challenges of the faith-based communities’ views and criticisms on the sciences and psychology. Entwistle poses one of the basic objections “Some people see Christianity only as a religious belief and psychology as a profession, with very little overlap between them.” (Entwistle, 2010, p.10). The author then goes on to state arguments against this belief as he further defines Christianity, philosophy, theology and psychology, allowing the reader to examine the differences and the likenesses between them. To further analyze, Entwistle states “The term integration suggests that it takes effort to find connection between psychology and theology because they have been dis-integrated, or torn asunder” (Entwistle, 2010, p. 16). Appealing to the reader to see the word ‘integration’ as both a noun and a verb. Initial opposition to integration is reflected in the story of Galileo’s verdict by the Roman Catholic Church. Entwistle provides further evidence of the relationship between faith...

Words: 1839 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Essay on the Origin of Baptist Denomination

...NIMROD J. EMBALZADO HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY II April 16, 2013 Rev Ramylal Fernando Essay on the Origin of Baptist Denomination “Every Baptist ought to know why he is a Baptist, and to know it from the specific commands of God’s Word. Not to have such knowledge is for our churches to be harmed in every way.” –George W. Truett, First Baptist, Second Baptist, American Baptist, Southern Baptist, General Baptist, Independent Baptist, and Primitive Baptist – the list goes on and on. Many people are confused why there are so many different kinds of Baptist. Most of the Baptists don’t want to acknowledge one another. In this essay, we will look on the theories about its origin, and how the Baptist began in the Philippines. By knowing the history and the theories, we will gain a better understanding why some Baptists accept certain practices and why others do not. Let’s look on the 3 theories of the origin of the Baptist. THEORIES OF BAPTIST ORIGIN Succession Theory This theory upholds that Baptist exists since the time of John the Baptist. Many theologians advocate this theory, pointing to Jesus as the founder of the Baptist church. Robert Torbet used the phrase “Jerusalem – Jordan – John” and these Baptist churches have been the “true church” throughout history without unbroken succession of existence. Some who hold this position contend that earlier revolutionists in the Christian church were Baptists, though not in name Baptist but hold the same mark of a...

Words: 2158 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Student

...2)     Larger societies include groups whose organization can be categorized as bands, tribes, chiefdoms, and states. What type of organizational structure would you argue that the Hutterites fall under? Please explain your reasoning.   The Hutterites are a society that, like the Amish and the Mennonites, are a branch of Anabaptists that formed a communal living in the 1500’s based off a belief of pure pacifism, in addition to the separation of church and state. After centuries of living in various countries, they evententually ended up in the Northern Plains of the United States and parts of Canada. After conducting research online as well as in our text, I believe that the Hutterittes are a chiefdom. The reasoning behind this was accomplished through the process of elimination, at first. When speaking of bands, you have to look at them in the simplest form, which in Park’s (2013) words is that bands essentially have no political organization at all. We know that is not the case with Hutterites because they have their own elected officials, consisting of three high-level leaders: the Minister, the Secretary, and the Assistant Minister. This is further broken down, where a group of “bosses” are selected to be responsible for their own respective areas of the community. So in essence, there is a form of self-government (outside of federal and state government). On the other end of the spectrum is a state. States are by far the largest organizational structure. Park...

Words: 1507 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Jnlkfnge

...rituals, values, and customs that a society embraces, and through this, find the hidden meaning behind the cultural knowledge that these values, rituals and customs provide. While people use these values, rituals, and customs to interpret the world around them, it will be our job to discuss the implications and unconscious assumptions that these interpretations provide using a number of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. TEXTS AND READINGS REQUIRED • Sociology of Religion: Contemporary Developments (2nd edition) by Kevin J. Christiano, William H. Swatos Jr., and Peter Kivisto, ISBN 978-0-7425-6111-3 • Additional readings to be posted to Blackboard SUGGESTED • Durkheim, Emile. 1965. Elementary Forms of the Religious Life. New York: Free Press. • Marx, Karl and Frederich Engels. 1978. "The Communist Manifesto" and “the German Ideology,” in The Marx-Engels Reader. Ed. Robert Tucker. New York: W.W. Norton. • Weber, Max. 1958. The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. New York: Charles Scribner. • Weber, Max. 1978. "Religious Groups (The Sociology of Religion)". Economy and Society. Berkeley: University of California Press. • Geertz, Clifford. 1973. "Religion as a Cultural System." In The Interpretation of Culture. New York: Basic Books, p. 87-125. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Association of Religion Data Archives: http://www.thearda.com/...

Words: 3279 - Pages: 14

Free Essay

Panama

...Facultad de Economia y NegociosEscuela de Ingenieria Comercial | Economic development in Panama between 1995-2010 | Taller de Economía Empresarial | | José Venegas Rojas | | Professor: John Cobin Santiago, Chile 2013 I. - Introduction. The controlling purpose of this paper is to review the academic literature about the economic development of Panama between 1995-2010 in Panama City. Panama is among the twenty economies which have grown the most in the past ten years, according to the World Bank, which curiously matches giving ones the administration of the Panama Canal by the United States to Panama in 1999. Most of the buildings in Panama City were built around 2000 and in order to observe this change, the financial statements of the country when it still belonged to the United States, will be analyzed so that it can be possible to consider a factor in the economic development in this country. On December 31, 1999, at midday the Panama Republic took administrative control of the Panama Canal after a long process of negotiation which started in 1977 with the signing of the Treaty between the President Jimmy Carter from the United States and the Panama president Omar Torrijos. This Treaty stated that it was an important issue that Panama guaranteed the neutrality of the Canal. This step of command happened after almost eighty-five years of diplomatic negotiations between the US and Panama. Many Panamanians considered the administration of the Panama...

Words: 4057 - Pages: 17