Belief System

Workshop One Individual What is a Belief System? Paper (due Week One)

Write a 1050-1400 word paper that defines the elements of your religious belief system. Include a brief discussion of each of the following topics:

a. How your beliefs make up a religious belief system.

b. How you acquired your religious belief system.

c. The benefits and disadvantages of having your particular belief system.

d. The role of tradition in your religious belief system.

e. The role of tradition in religion in general.

f. Why it is important to be knowledgeable about other people's beliefs and attitudes towards religion.

What is a Belief System?

There are many different belief systems, some are religions and some not. All cultures develop a collection of beliefs and values that are used to meet its society's needs. A belief system is a way of perceive and interact in a society guided by a set of established moral rules. Our beliefs are an essential part of who we are and how we behave. A culture with a strong belief system is shaped by it. The belief system delineates type of government, civil liberties, behaviors, laws, women liberties, etc. My belief system is Christian Roman Catholic.

Roman Catholic Religion.

Catholicism is the oldest and largest Christian denomination in the world. Catholicism originated with Jesus Christ. All other Christian denominations branched from Catholicism at some point in history. The Catholic Church is the most widespread Christian denomination in the world. With more than one billion members, the Catholic Church is one of the most important religions on Earth. Every country on the world has members of the Catholic Church The Catholic Church was funded by Jesus Christ on earth when He said, "You are now Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the powers of death and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." Peter was at this moment given the authority of a Pope, head of the church. Throughout the early years, between 33 and about 107 the name Catholic (universal in Greek) came into practice. Although, Nobody knows the exact date when was created the term "catholic Church". Historically, the first document where we can find the term "catholic Church" was in AD 107: (wikipedia )"A letter that, in about AD 107, Saint Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch wrote to Christians in Smyrna, is the earliest surviving witness to the use of the term "catholic Church" (Smyrnaeans, 8). By it Saint Ignatius designated the Christian Church in its universal aspect. The Roman Catholic Church hierarchy is divided in: The Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, and Laics.

a. How your beliefs make up a religious belief system.

My beliefs define the precepts from which I live my life. I am part of the Roman Catholic community religious belief system. I am an active member of my church; consequently, I behave in accordance with my religion precepts. The Nicene Creed (A fourth century confession of faith) is used at every mass. The Nicene Creed summarizes the belief of the Catholic Church and my personal beliefs:

"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 men and for 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."

b. How you acquired your religious belief system.

Mexico is a mostly Roman Catholic country. Both of my parents were Roman Catholics, in addition, my parents sent me to Catholic school (12 years). Consequently, I profess the Roman Catholic doctrine. I truly love and believe in my religion.

c. The benefits and disadvantages of having your particular belief system.

1- Religion gives joy, comfort, pace and tranquility to face life's problems. I do not know how great scientist Stephen Hawking can enjoy life. If his beliefs (no God) are right, after all his suffering in life he knows he will cease to exist after death. And if he is wrong (God exists), he will cease to exist anyway.

2- Religion brings a community together. Religion does not put one individual above others, or one sex above another. Religion makes us equal between us.

3- In recent