What Is a Belief System?

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 the term Catholic Church was created. Historically, the first document where we can find the term Catholic Church was in AD 107. 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” (Religion 101, 2005).

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.

b. How you acquired your religious belief system.

Italy is a predominately Roman Catholic country. Both of my parents are Roman Catholics and in addition, my parents sent me to Catholic school. While I attended Catholic school for four years I served as an alter boy for two of the 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 times, the scientific community has begun documenting the power of pray and the faith factor. Larry Dossey, MD wrote in his website

"I used to believe that we must choose between science and reason on one hand, and spirituality on the other, in how we lead our lives. Now I consider this a false choice. We can recover the sense of sacredness, not just in science, but in perhaps every area of life." (Dossey, 2004)

As Christian Roman Catholic, I have all of the above written advantages and more.