catholicism

            Catholicism is a term used to describe an experience of Christianity which is shared by Christians living in unity with the Church of Rome. Catholicism, in a broader sense may be a community of believers who are those of Christian faith, but accept the primacy of the Pope over the Church of Rome. This community of believers is broken down into smaller overlapping communities that are bind together by a shared sense of communion, understanding of one's faith, and the connection with the Great Church. Catholicism is set apart from other churches of the Reformation because they put emphasis on the sacramental, iconic, and communitarian characteristics of Christianity.(TCF) The list of qualities that not only differentiate Catholicism from other religion but are also unique only to this particular denomination of Christianity are: having a historical tradition in the church, its hierarchal order of authority, strong liturgical tradition, reverence for Virgin Mary and the veneration of the saints, the openness to other cultures, experience, and other religious tradition.(CDTM).
             Catholicism is a very old religion that can be described as being strict and stern about their beliefs, yet very accepting towards other religious ideas. Catholicism is centered upon the beliefs of God, and Jesus Christ who is the savior of the world. Jesus Christ is a revelation of God. The Virgin Mary also plays an important role in the community of Catholicism. The Catholic Church has a distinctive characteristic that place many Church officials in a hierarchal order, such that the Pope is the head of the "Great Church", then the Bishop, and last the Priest is at the bottom of the chain. Throughout the history of Catholicism there was a major change in the Church and its idea, one of the events is called the Reformation which re-shaped the Church's set of rules. My understanding of Catholicism is very limited, but the few ideas that I do have is closely related to one of Rausch and Cunningham.