How and why a religion develops and expresses its beliefs

What is religion

Term of concept used to categorise a particular religious way of living
- Any study of religion will reveal common / divergent understandings of the way of life promotes and supported by any religion
-Type of and role of a religions particular structures and processes will reflect the deeper understandings of the way of life

What is a religious belief

Conviction about an idea central to a religion that expresses religious truth.
-Central to every religion and can be expressed through creeds, rituals or way of life of believers
-Interconnected and do not operate in isolation
-Not a collective of beliefs, but rather a particular way of life, → way of life leads to development of religious belief and finds expression

how is religious beliefs developed and expressed

The way of life promoted by a religion finds expression in the beliefs teachings / pracs of the religion
-Society is always changing, → re beliefs / teachings / practices have to interact with changing historical and cultural contexts in order to stay relevant and provide ways for people to live in the way promoted in the religion.
- So, time from time religions need to develop / express their re belief/teach/prac
(NOT THEM BELIEFS CHANGING) → this is through structures and processes

What are religious structures and processes

Important in shaping how and why a religion operates
-Within the CC structures / processes are designed to support the work and mission of the church. (Three functions)
-Important part of this is also the organisation and structure of each religion
- Organisational characteristics are always tests and reshaped by the interplay that takes places between individuals, society, the beliefs and the way of life of a religion also the religions history and trads.

what are the 3 functions of the CC

teaching and safeguarding the Christian message
Providing for the growing holiness of Believers
governing the Church in Jesus’ name

What is the concept of authority in religious structures / processes

Within the CC, authority is exercised by the Pope and the Bishops (who have recieved the gift of authority passed from the Apostles) (apostolic succession)
-Pope and the bishops together constitute the ‘Magisterium’ or teaching office of the Church
-Structure and tradition provide the basis of belief and teaching
-The magisterium can interpret scripture and tradition authentically but cannot conflict with it
-Holy spirit guides discernment

What is Authority?

Being able to express power or to make a decision

What happens when Authority is applied in the development and expressed to religious beliefs

When this occurs, the magisterium, as a structure, that is given the power to develop religious beliefs in the CC

What is the Magisterium

Is the teaching authority of the Church made up of the Pope and Bishops who through apostolic succession have the spiritual gifts and authority of the Apostles , guided by the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:22-25

How do Catholic believers believe in the Magisterium?

Catholic believers accept the infallibility of the Pope, as a spiritual leader.
-All people have human limitations, but believers trust in the Holy Spirit to guide the Authority of the Church to develop the Beliefs of the CC

What does the Spiritual gifts of authority enable the church to do?

The spiritual gifts of the Authority of the Church do not make them more holy, they are still called out to live out the Christian message, and ensure that all who are trying to live out the message are doing so authentically.

What does the Magisterium do today?

The Magisterium continues to hand on the liturgies, teaching and commands of Jesus today, they have the responsibility of making sure that the Christian message is not distorted by human opinions / attitudes
-Catholics believe that the Magisterium is not superior to the Word of God, but serving it. → it only teaches what has been handed on
-Magisterium uses structures / processes to develop the beliefs of the Church

What is tradition? (always capital T)

Refers to the liturgies, teachings and commands of Jesus that were handed on by the Apostles. The sacraments, creeds and moral teachings are examples of Tradition.
-Holy spirit guides the Church as each generation accepts these teachings, and as they do so, it grows in its understanding of the entire truth Jesus gave us under the spirits guidance

what does Traditions not mean?

Doesn’t mean that nothing changes, there must be adaption and growth to ensure that the Church is relevant to the society and mission of the day.
- This occurs through the structures and processes of the church

Why does a religion develops its beliefs?

Understanding of the beliefs develops over times
-CC develops its understanding of beliefs because of its role and responsibility to Catholic believers and the mission of Jesus
-To teach and safeguard the Christian message → for the common good of society
-To provide guidance and direction for the growing holiness of believers, offerin the Church’s view on social issues (w the sign of the times)
-To govern the church
-Teach and safeguard the Christian message → response to Current issues

What is an ecumenical council (process of developing a belief)

(religious process)
-Called when the need arises
-Attended by Pope, Bishops from around the world and various other groups
-Are convoked because of varying issues to which the Church needs to respond
-Discuss/Debate different topics that require their attention and find solutions in dealing with these
-End in documents that are used to guide the Church

How does a religion develop beliefs in other ways

-Magisterium
-Process of publishing documents (encyclicals , social justice statements)
-religious conferences
-Synods
-Homilies

How does a religion express its belief

Ways that religious people publicly show their beliefs
-Worship, teachings , life

How does a religion express its belief thru worship

Sacraments, prayer , pilgrimage, adoration and benediction

How does a religion express its belief thru teachings

Sacred scripture and tradition expressed through creeds, councils, the magisterium, local synod / bishop Conferences

How does a religion express its belief thru life

Christian community (families, parishes, schools, youth groups)
Social outreach (St Vincent de Paul, Caritas)
Community engagement (political involvement, community organisations)