{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T21:38:03+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-10-18T15:30:42+00:00","timestamp":"2022-10-18T18:01:03+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34038"},"slug":"body-mind-spirit","categoryId":34038},{"name":"Religion & Spirituality","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34202"},"slug":"religion-spirituality","categoryId":34202},{"name":"Christianity","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34206"},"slug":"christianity","categoryId":34206},{"name":"Catholicism","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34208"},"slug":"catholicism","categoryId":34208}],"title":"Basic Beliefs of Catholicism","strippedTitle":"basic beliefs of catholicism","slug":"basic-beliefs-of-catholicism","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Catholics are, first and foremost, Christians who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Catholicism shares some beliefs with other Christian practices, b","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Catholics are, first and foremost, Christians<i> </i>who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Catholicism shares some beliefs with other Christian practices, but essential Catholic beliefs include the following:\r\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>The Bible</b> is the inspired, error-free, and revealed word of God.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i></i><b>Baptism,</b><i> </i>the rite of becoming a Christian, is necessary for salvation — whether the Baptism occurs by water, blood, or desire.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>God’s Ten Commandments </b>provide a moral compass — an ethical standard to live by.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">The existence of the<b> Holy Trinity </b>— one God in three persons. Catholics embrace the belief that God, the one Supreme Being, is made up of three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nCatholics also believe that since Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, all humans are born with original sin, which only Baptism removes. A happier belief is in grace, a totally free, unmerited gift from God. Grace is a sharing in the divine; the inspiration to do God’s will. Take a look at these <a href=\"/article/body-mind-spirit/religion-spirituality/christianity/catholicism/common-catholic-prayers-186207/\">common Catholic prayers</a>.\r\n<p class=\"Remember\">Catholics recognize the unity of body and soul for each human being. So the whole religion centers on the truth that humankind stands between the two worlds of matter and spirit. The physical world is considered part of God's creation and is, therefore, inherently good until an individual misuses it. Catholics also recognize the <a href=\"/article/body-mind-spirit/religion-spirituality/christianity/catholicism/catholicism-and-the-ten-commandments-192630/\">Ten Commandments</a>.</p>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">For more on the basics of Catholicism, refer to <a href=\"/article/body-mind-spirit/religion-spirituality/christianity/catholicism/the-twelve-articles-of-catholic-faith-186213/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Twelve Articles of Catholic Faith</a>.</p>","description":"Catholics are, first and foremost, Christians<i> </i>who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Catholicism shares some beliefs with other Christian practices, but essential Catholic beliefs include the following:\r\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>The Bible</b> is the inspired, error-free, and revealed word of God.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><i></i><b>Baptism,</b><i> </i>the rite of becoming a Christian, is necessary for salvation — whether the Baptism occurs by water, blood, or desire.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>God’s Ten Commandments </b>provide a moral compass — an ethical standard to live by.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">The existence of the<b> Holy Trinity </b>— one God in three persons. Catholics embrace the belief that God, the one Supreme Being, is made up of three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nCatholics also believe that since Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, all humans are born with original sin, which only Baptism removes. A happier belief is in grace, a totally free, unmerited gift from God. Grace is a sharing in the divine; the inspiration to do God’s will. Take a look at these <a href=\"/article/body-mind-spirit/religion-spirituality/christianity/catholicism/common-catholic-prayers-186207/\">common Catholic prayers</a>.\r\n<p class=\"Remember\">Catholics recognize the unity of body and soul for each human being. So the whole religion centers on the truth that humankind stands between the two worlds of matter and spirit. The physical world is considered part of God's creation and is, therefore, inherently good until an individual misuses it. Catholics also recognize the <a href=\"/article/body-mind-spirit/religion-spirituality/christianity/catholicism/catholicism-and-the-ten-commandments-192630/\">Ten Commandments</a>.</p>\r\n<p class=\"article-tips tip\">For more on the basics of Catholicism, refer to <a href=\"/article/body-mind-spirit/religion-spirituality/christianity/catholicism/the-twelve-articles-of-catholic-faith-186213/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Twelve Articles of Catholic Faith</a>.</p>","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":34208,"title":"Catholicism","slug":"catholicism","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34208"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":[{"articleId":172026,"title":"Repurposing Items for Beautiful Holiday Decorating","slug":"decorating-for-the-holidays-with-what-you-already-have","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","crafts","gifts-holidays"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/172026"}},{"articleId":192609,"title":"How to Pray the Rosary: A Comprehensive Guide","slug":"how-to-pray-the-rosary","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","religion-spirituality","christianity","catholicism"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/192609"}},{"articleId":193770,"title":"How to Play Rummy: All You Need to Know","slug":"rummy-understanding-the-rules-and-starting-a-game","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","general-card-games"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/193770"}},{"articleId":153792,"title":"Format Numbers in Thousands and Millions in Excel Reports","slug":"format-numbers-in-thousands-and-millions-in-excel-reports","categoryList":["technology","software","microsoft-products","excel"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/153792"}},{"articleId":147241,"title":"How to Use the Z-Table","slug":"how-to-use-the-z-table","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","statistics"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/147241"}}],"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":235898,"title":"10 Famous Catholics","slug":"10-famous-catholics","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","religion-spirituality","christianity","catholicism"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/235898"}},{"articleId":235895,"title":"11 Popular Catholic Saints","slug":"11-popular-catholic-saints","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","religion-spirituality","christianity","catholicism"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/235895"}},{"articleId":235892,"title":"Famous Martyrs of the Roman Persecutions","slug":"famous-martyrs-roman-persecutions","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","religion-spirituality","christianity","catholicism"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/235892"}},{"articleId":235889,"title":"Catholicism in Ancient Times (A.D. 33–741)","slug":"catholicism-ancient-times-d-33-741","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","religion-spirituality","christianity","catholicism"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/235889"}},{"articleId":235886,"title":"Catholicism in the Time of Charlemagne","slug":"catholicism-time-charlemagne","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","religion-spirituality","christianity","catholicism"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/235886"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":true,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282064,"slug":"catholicism-for-dummies","isbn":"9781119855712","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","religion-spirituality","christianity","catholicism"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119855713/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119855713/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119855713-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119855713/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119855713/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/catholicism-fd-4e-9781119855712.jpg","width":250,"height":350},"title":"Catholicism For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":true,"authorsInfo":"\n <p><p><b>Rev. Fr. John Trigilio, Jr., PhD, ThD,</b> is President of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy and a member of the faculty at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.</p> <p><b>Rev. Fr. Kenneth Brighenti, PhD,</b> is co-host with Father Trigilio of a weekly television program on EWTN called <i>Web of Faith</i>. With Father Trigilio, he is the co-author of previous editions of <i>Catholicism For Dummies</i>. <p><b>Rev. Fr. John Trigilio, Jr., PhD, ThD,</b> is President of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy and a member of the faculty at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.</p> <p><b>Rev. Fr. Kenneth Brighenti, PhD,</b> is co-host with Father Trigilio of a weekly television program on EWTN called <i>Web of Faith</i>. With Father Trigilio, he is the co-author of previous editions of <i>Catholicism For Dummies</i>.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":35455,"name":"Rev. John Trigilio, Jr.","slug":"rev-john-trigilio,-jr","description":" <p><b>Rev. Fr. John Trigilio, Jr., PhD, ThD,</b> is President of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy and a member of the faculty at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.</p> <p><b>Rev. Fr. Kenneth Brighenti, PhD,</b> is co-host with Father Trigilio of a weekly television program on EWTN called <i>Web of Faith</i>. With Father Trigilio, he is the co-author of previous editions of <i>Catholicism For Dummies</i>. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/35455"}},{"authorId":9014,"name":"Rev. Kenneth Brighenti","slug":"rev-kenneth-brighenti","description":" <p><b>Rev. Fr. John Trigilio, Jr., PhD, ThD,</b> is President of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy and a member of the faculty at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.</p> <p><b>Rev. Fr. Kenneth Brighenti, PhD,</b> is co-host with Father Trigilio of a weekly television program on EWTN called <i>Web of Faith</i>. With Father Trigilio, he is the co-author of previous editions of <i>Catholicism For Dummies</i>. 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Basic Beliefs of Catholicism

Updated: 10-18-2022

Catholicism For Dummies

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Catholics are, first and foremost, Christians who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Catholicism shares some beliefs with other Christian practices, but essential Catholic beliefs include the following:

The Bible is the inspired, error-free, and revealed word of God.
Baptism, the rite of becoming a Christian, is necessary for salvation — whether the Baptism occurs by water, blood, or desire.
God’s Ten Commandments provide a moral compass — an ethical standard to live by.
The existence of the Holy Trinity — one God in three persons. Catholics embrace the belief that God, the one Supreme Being, is made up of three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Catholics also believe that since Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, all humans are born with original sin, which only Baptism removes. A happier belief is in grace, a totally free, unmerited gift from God. Grace is a sharing in the divine; the inspiration to do God’s will. Take a look at these common Catholic prayers.

Catholics recognize the unity of body and soul for each human being. So the whole religion centers on the truth that humankind stands between the two worlds of matter and spirit. The physical world is considered part of God's creation and is, therefore, inherently good until an individual misuses it. Catholics also recognize the Ten Commandments.

For more on the basics of Catholicism, refer to The Twelve Articles of Catholic Faith.

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