Question 1

Is there a God? How can we know?

Accepted Answer

There is an incredible order to everything from an atom to the multiverse, from the ecosystem that is one human person to the Amazon rainforest.  It is far more reasonable to conclude that this unimaginable structure and order comes from a greater intelligence (God) than to argue that it all comes from random chance.  Additionally, denial of there being a God requires that something, at the beginning of time, came forth from absolute nothingness.  However, something cannot come from nothing.

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Romans 1:19-20 (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/1)- "For what can be known about God is evident to them, because God made it evident to them.  Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made."  
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Catechism of the Catholic Church #31 (https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__PA.HTM)- "Created in God's image and called to know and love him, the person who seeks God discovers certain ways of coming to know him. These are also called proofs for the existence of God, not in the sense of proofs in the natural sciences, but rather in the sense of "converging and convincing arguments", which allow us to attain certainty about the truth. These "ways" of approaching God from creation have a twofold point of departure: the physical world, and the human person."
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Proofs of God (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=JCZIrrM1Ds0)(7.5 minutes, by Catholic Central) - Easy to follow and entertaining.  Proofs presented are the logic of causation, laws of physics, and human experience.
God DOES Exist.(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otrqzITuSqE) (15 minutes, by Dr. John Lennox, Oxford Union) - Mathematics professor in tux presenting speech about why he believes in God.  Clear, erudite but not inaccessible. . . and in a delightful Irish/British accent. 
 Is God Real?: An Argument for God.(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68FQV0iLFeA) (32 minutes, by Fr. Mike Schmitz, Steubenville Youth Conferences) - Easy to follow, enthusiastic, and funny.  Discusses objective vs. subjective truth, ways we can know there’s a God, and the uniqueness of Christianity.  Invites viewers to live like God is real.
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Magis Center Blog (https://www.magiscenter.com/blog/tag/evidence-for-god)- Select from a number of article titles discussing evidence for God.

Question 2

If God is good, why is there suffering and evil?

Accepted Answer

The fact that there is creation and life at all points to God’s goodness. Eternal life and perfect joy is meant to be our inheritance after this vitally important but relatively brief time of life on Earth. We’re “renters,” not “owners” here. In the natural world, cancer, earthquakes and such arise without God causing it. And in Christian understanding, God designed human nature to possess free will. This permits us to love…God and one another. (Without freedom, there can be no love.) However, free will allows people to reject love in favor of hate, violence and other destructive pursuits…in other words, evil.

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Question 3

Does God actually care about me?

Accepted Answer

Our sacred Scriptures (Bible), especially the Gospels (life and ministry of Jesus) reveal the heart and mind of God as caring immensely for and loving each and every human being as precious.

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Question 4

Does disbelief or bad actions cause God to love us less?

Accepted Answer

We have the power to reject God’s love and turn away from our calling to lead lives of meaning and generosity and love. However, we do not have the power to affect God’s love for us in the slightest. God’s love endures whatever choices we make and whatever path we take.

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Question 5

Who is Jesus?

Accepted Answer

Jesus is the human person who possesses full divinity (fully human and fully God), who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of woman (Mary). He is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), co-equal and co-eternal to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

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Question 6

What is at the heart of Jesus's message?

Accepted Answer

Jesus was sent by the Father to reveal God’s love for us and desire for a deep relationship of love with us. This good news is particularly delivered by Jesus to those on the margins, the poor, the sick, the broken-hearted, the despised of society. Jesus calls us to live lives that reflect the compassionate heart of God.

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Question 7

Is "Christ" the last name of Jesus?

Accepted Answer

No. “Christ” means “anointed one” in Greek and is a title that became attached to the person of Jesus, reflecting the understanding in the early church of his identity as the Messiah of Israel, the long-awaited Savior sent by God.

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Question 8

Why does Christianity have a cross as its symbol?

Accepted Answer

In the course of his mission of revealing the Gospel (which means good news) of God’s love and mercy for all people, Jesus ran afoul of religious and political authorities of his time. Staying perfectly faithful to his calling from the Father, he received a fate of torture and public execution on a cross by the Romans. Christians consider this action of complete surrender and fidelity the deepest manifestation of God’s love…and Jesus’ resurrection on Easter as the greatest manifestation of God’s power over sin and death. For Christians, Jesus’ death and resurrection changes everything!

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Question 9

Are Catholics Christian?

Accepted Answer

Catholic means “universal” and is associated with the Church established in first century Rome. The Church in Rome pretty quickly became recognized as the preeminent Christian Church to which other parts of the Christian world looked for leadership and to provide a sense of unity. So, yes, Catholic is entirely Christian. In fact, it can be said that all of Christianity originates out of what is now called the Catholic Church.

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Question 10

Why the need for organized religion? Do I need to subscribe to just one?

Accepted Answer

Jesus called himself “the way, the life and the truth.” The Bible (and Christian doctrine) is unequivocal about Jesus being the one and only Savior, “Son of God,” to whom worship is due. Religion is a means to participate in the life, teaching, and grace of Christ Jesus, in a communal and concrete way.

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Question 11

What is the Bible? Who wrote it?

Accepted Answer

The Bible is a collection of writings of various literary forms spanning centuries prior to Jesus (Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures) to the first couple generations after Jesus’ death (New Testament). These writings came to be understood as inspired texts (produced by human beings with inspiration from the Holy Spirit) that faithfully reveal truth about God.

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(Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 106.(https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__PP.HTM) See also paragraphs 101-133)(https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__PO.HTM) God inspired the human authors of the sacred books. "To compose the sacred books, God chose certain men who, all the while he employed them in this task, made full use of their own faculties and powers so that, though he acted in them and by them, it was as true authors that they consigned to writing whatever he wanted written, and no more."

(Hebrews 1:1-2)(https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/1) "In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe"

("Where Did the Bible Come From? Catholic Theologian Explains")(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fEw1_g2LyU)

Question 12

What is the Church? How does it relate to Jesus and the Bible?

Accepted Answer

The Church’s mission is to share the Christian Gospel (good news). It is the institutional presence of Christ Jesus in the world today. St. Paul refers to the Church as the Body of Christ in the Bible, meaning that Jesus and Christians are the Church. Over time, the early Church determined which writings would comprise what we call the Bible.

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Question 13

What's the point of prayer? Can prayer change anything?

Accepted Answer

Prayer is the act of engaging in dialogue with God.  God, as revealed by the person of Jesus, is relational and personal.  God wants to hear from us and receives our thoughts, words and actions with joy.  In turn, we are invited to listen, to receive what it is that God wishes for us.  When we are in active prayer, we can give praise to God, thank God and ask of God.  In contemplative prayer, we take a more passive posture, allowing God to guide the encounter with us.  Whether or not prayer changes anything external to us (and it most certainly can), prayer always has the power to change us!

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Question 14

What is a sacrament? What is grace?

Accepted Answer

A sacrament is an instrument (vehicle, conduit) that God gives to communicate his grace (his love, his presence, his power) and make it impactful in our lives. Sacraments are means to draw us into ever-deepening and transformative relationship with God and one another. The Catholic Church celebrates seven powerful and public means of grace, the Sacraments, that are meant to bless us across the life span and in the particular ways we are called to live our lives. Sacraments of Initiation are Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. Sacraments of Healing are Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. Sacraments of Service (or Vocation) are Matrimony and Holy Orders.

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Question 15

Who are the saints?

Accepted Answer

In a very real sense, the Catholic Church considers anyone who has entered into Heaven as a saint. So, we've known saints ourselves! And we aspire to become saints in eternal life by God’s grace and our faithful lives. Throughout the 2000 year history of Christianity, there have been women and men of remarkable faith and virtue that have stood out in their communities and before the Church. A very arduous vetting process is conducted over many years before a person may become formally recognized as a “Saint.” These saints provide a rich array of role models from whom we can learn and gain hope for ourselves.

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Question 16

Is religion is just a bunch of rules to live by?

Accepted Answer

The “rules” don’t come to us arbitrarily.  They flow from Scripture and our unfolding and deepening understanding of the Bible’s meaning in light of reason and human knowledge (known as Tradition).  The Church also takes into account the “nature” of creation (often referred to as natural moral law) for it reflects the mind and will of God.  One way to think about it is that “the don’ts are for the do’s.”  In other words, guardrails from evil and sin actually free us more than they restrict us.  God wants us to live freely and in full, authentic joy.  Sin robs us of this.  Think about what it would be like to drive with everyone doing as they please.  The Rules of the Road make it possible for us to confidently and safely arrive at our destination.  Christianity is ultimately about how we love and serve in the image of Jesus…not merely how we avoid sin.

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Question 17

Why would I need religion if I'm a good person?

Accepted Answer

All people are works in progress, no matter how good they may be. Both Catholic belief system and Catholic lifestyle are intended to provide a relational context (which Jesus encouraged), spiritual sustenance and practical guidance for us to achieve our full human potential, bless others by our life and, ultimately, be received by God in heaven.

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Question 18

What is Mass? Why do Catholics go to Mass?

Accepted Answer

The Mass is also often referred to as the Liturgy of the Eucharist. It is the great prayer and worship of the Church. The Mass has roots in Jewish worship as well as the Last Supper of Jesus and his followers. It is what Catholics gather for at their parish on Sundays, and indeed, any day of the week. The Mass has been called the source and summit of Christian life. It is the well-spring from which Catholics draw sustenance for living according to the teachings of Jesus. The primary structure of the Mass is 1.) the Liturgy of the Word, where we hear and reflect upon the Bible; and 2.) the Liturgy of the Eucharist, where the priest transforms (by the power of the Holy Spirit) bread and wine into the Eucharist that becomes available for Catholics to take and eat, so that we can be the transformative presence of Jesus in the world.

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Question 19

Can I go to a Mass even if I'm not Catholic?

Accepted Answer

Certainly! We’d love for you to experience Catholic worship with us. You don’t have to be particularly prepared or understand everything. You could participate as you wish or simply be respectfully present and take it all in. The one thing you could not do as a non-Catholic is receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist. But you could go up and receive a personal blessing at Communion time.

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Question 20

Do Catholics actually believe that the bread and wine become Jesus?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely we do. And for two straightforward reasons: 1.) Jesus said so at the Last Supper, a climactic moment in his life and ministry; and 2.) The early Christian believed it as is evidenced in the practices and writings of the early Church. The idea that the Sacrament of the Eucharist is the “Real Presence” of Jesus has been an enduring and deeply-held conviction throughout the 2,000 year history of the Church. It is only in the last 400 years that certain elements of Christianity have deviated from this belief. Catholics don’t understand “Real Presence” of Jesus in the Eucharist in a cannibalistic way, of course. It is not the literal flesh that hung on the Cross. However, in a way that transcends our senses and our understanding, the Eucharist is a mystical and yet substantive, real and true presence of Jesus Christ. And Jesus desires that we partake of this Sacrament not only for our own benefit but also so that we can more effectively embody his presence with our families, friends, co-workers and neighbors.

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Question 21

Why is Mary (the mother of Jesus) important?

Accepted Answer

For starters, she was important to Jesus. No one had a closer relationship to Jesus than Mary. In life and in death, she was there as the model of what a faithful disciple to Jesus looked like. There are passages in the Gospels that show the loving esteem Jesus held for his mother. She clearly had Jesus’ ear…and heart. Thus, the long tradition in the Church that asks Mary to join us in our prayer intentions before God. The Church also reveres her as the mother of Jesus, both in his humanity and his divinity. Mary is the mother of God! And her “yes” to being mother of Jesus allowed for everything that followed to happen. Without her remarkable assent, God’s plan of salvation would have been blocked.

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Question 22

If all Christians follow Jesus, why are there so many different types of Christianity?

Accepted Answer

After a millennium of unity among Christians, there was a break between Western and Eastern Christianity, based more on political and cultural differences than distinctions of belief. And then, about 500 years later, there were sincere (and needed) efforts to reform the Church. These efforts eventually led to breaks in Christian unity that continued to evolve into today’s reality: There is only one Savior, Jesus. But there are many faith traditions and religious structures centered on him. Efforts are ongoing to bring different Christian traditions into greater unity. The Catholic Church is actively pursuing Christian unity.

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Question 23

What about the afterlife?

Accepted Answer

Catholic faith assures us that each human person has a soul that transcends our physical reality and will survive death. In fact, those received into Heaven will experience a fullness of life beyond their experience here on Earth. God desires that each person experience this eternal joy with God, so much so that Jesus came to bring his Gospel (“good news”) message of salvation to everyone. However, God respects our freedom to embrace or reject divine love. As a result, some people, by virtue of their lives, choose the absence of God’s love and experience the permanent reality of Hell. Purgatory is a transitional state of preparation for entry into Heaven that helps heal the residue of sin.

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Question 24

What is a parish?

Accepted Answer

A parish is the formal Catholic presence in a local area. It contains real estate and buildings, but more importantly, it consists of people...people who relate as a Catholic community of disciples of Jesus Christ. Catholic parishes are not singular congregations but relate to one another within the larger geographic church structure called a diocese. Each parish is led by a pastor and every diocese is led by a bishop.

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Question 25

Is Catholic faith opposed to science?

Accepted Answer

Not in the least.  Of course, there have been chapters in history where the Church lagged or refuted scientific advancements.  However, there have been cutting-edge contributions provided by Catholic priests in areas such as astronomy (Copernicus), genetics (Mendel) and cosmology (Lemaitre)   In recent generations Pope and Church documents have celebrated scientific knowledge, so long as the advances are ennobling of the human person.  In technology and medical ethics, for example, the Church invites us to think about whether we ought to do something that has been made possible.  This is an important contribution of the Catholic Church in a world that is advancing and changing quickly.  Science has an esteemed place in society, but it often cannot address questions of meaning.  Catholic faith receives scientific knowledge and provides an existential framework in which to interpret and apply it.

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Question 26

What about the sex abuse scandal in the Church?

Accepted Answer

In recent decades, the Church has endured revelations of Catholic priests who sexually abused minors in the past. Over 20 years ago, the Catholic bishops of the United States imposed a zero-tolerance approach on anyone guilty of sexual abuse of minors and has been actively working to position the Church to help society combat this evil and ensure that all Catholic faith settings are safe for children. Data shows that the measures taken have changed the landscape in this regard. The scourge of child sexual abuse occurs in all strata of society, including other religions. And the Catholic Church draws greater scrutiny because it is, by far, the largest Christian denomination. Nonetheless, this scandal has revealed past widespread failure of the Church to protect children from a very small percentage of priests who engaged in abhorrent, criminal and gravely sinful behavior.

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Question 27

Does the Catholic Church hate gay people?

Accepted Answer

The Catholic Church in no way hates gay people. Rather, to the contrary, the Church views all people, regardless of their sexual orientation and identity, as fully deserving of love and respect for being made in the image and likeness of God. The Church, in this and all regards, differentiates actions from the person. Catholic faith depends on revealed truth, the Bible and Tradition (the collective, deepening insight gained over time and never in contradiction to the Bible) to guide its moral teaching. It also looks to “natural law” which considers the way God has ordered this world. As a result, the Church confidently presents a vision of human sexuality that affirms the beauty of God’s plan for sex to be joyfully celebrated within the context of a committed marriage relationship between a woman and man. In the Catholic worldview, sexual expression is intended by God to be generative of two powerful realities, love and life.

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Question 28

Why is the Catholic Church so opposed to abortion?

Accepted Answer

Scientific and technological advances only serve to reinforce the understanding of the Church that human life begins at conception. And a core principle of Catholicism is the inherent value and dignity of each and every person, at all stages of life. Abortion is, therefore, the intentional ending of a human life and is therefore a grave sin. (There are instances when an abortion could be considered morally permissible, but they are exceedingly rare and require an exacting medical standard.)  The Church extends concern and care for mothers and children of unintended conception, as well as those women who have chosen to abort their child. God’s grace and healing is available to all, even in the case of abortion and other grave sin.

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Question 29

Why do Christians go to church on Sundays?

Accepted Answer

Catholicism has its origins in Jewish faith. In Judaism, there is the tradition of a Sabbath day (a day of rest and worship), which has been the final day of the week, Saturday. Followers of Christianity took up the practice of differentiating from this Jewish practice and making Sunday, the day on which Jesus rose from the dead, as their Sabbath day.

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Question 30

How could Catholic faith make my life better?

Accepted Answer

Jesus came to fulfill the mission of his Father in Heaven, to proclaim the good news of God’s love for each of us, our profound inherent dignity because of that love, the opportunity to participate in Jesus’ mission to transform this world in God’s love, and to experience perfect joy for eternity with God. Catholic faith offers us an opportunity to live lives of purpose and meaning that transcend mere personal advancement. Scripture and the sacraments and prayer offer spiritual nourishment to help us meet the challenges and responsibilities of our lives with joy. Catholic faith invites people to live in freedom from sin and freedom for love. It calls us out of isolation and into relationship with God and others. Catholic faith does not exist primarily to be therapeutic. It is about participating in divine truth, goodness and beauty, which in turn, offers blessings that are wide and deep, in this life and in eternity.

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