Help with a project? {Religious}

[HorseFeathers]

Hey everyone...
I'm taking an online high school class and have been struggling for weeks to find a leader or even member of the Catholic faith who can answer these interview questions I have to do. Could anyone here help out?

1. What does the Catholic faith believe happens after death?
2. Does the Catholic faith believe in ghosts?
3. How do Catholics perceive Hell?
4. Does the Catholic faith believe in demons?
5. Does the Church distinguish between ghosts and spirits?
6. Does the Church perform exorcisms?
7. Is it possible in the Catholic faith for our deceased loved ones to come back to earth to help us move on, ease our pain, etc?
8. What determines how you are punished or rewarded when you die?

Thank you so much!

{Mods feel free to move.

}

ETA: Please do not make this nasty! Thanks!

 

[fancbrd4me02]

You can contact the nearest church and talk to a nun or priest or a deacon. You can also visit the vatican website. Lots of answers there.

I'm catholic, here is my attempt to answer you; but I am not an expert or a leader.

1. After death, similar to what any other christian believes. Eternity. Not much emphasis on Hell these days. You may wonder about purgatory, that's not really a concern/belief anymore either. Many people are confused by the traditional old catholic church, VS todays church post Vatican II. (Vatican II, changes in some older catholic practices)
2. No, but believes in demonic possession/hauntings. Catholic church sometimes performs exorcisms.
3. Depends on the catholic. Older ones are probably pretty concerned about it, but in Catholicism, you can aknowledge your sins and make amends (penance). God will forgive you. This does not mean your sins are erased, just that you have gods love & forgiveness.
4. yes, demonic possession is believed in by most catholics. Although it's not something most spend much time worrying about. It is considered rare.
5. Only in that each person has a spirit or soul. Most Catholics believe that sould goes to heaven after death. Some older ones may believe that some souls (unbaptised/confirmed) may become trapped in purgatory) However, it is my understanding that the church doesn't really push that idea anymore.
6. I'm not sure what the church says about this exactly, but you may notice that Catholic belief has many examples of saints appearing to believers, etc. I would guess that the church would not dismiss the possibility.
8. Todays Catholic faith emphasizes your relationship to God. Many people misunderstand confession and penance to mean that Catholics can sin and get it "erased" from the record. Confession is actually more like humbling yourself and admitting your weakness and mistakes to god. Although some old school catholics may still feel that god is a punishing god, for the most part understanding God's plan and lessons on kindness, service, charity, etc. in this life is emphasized more than the afterlife. The only thing that is said regularly on the subject is that Jesus died for our sins and that he paid the price to ensure our salvation. So I guess if you believe, you are rewarded into heaven. thats about it.

 

[mom'sfolly]

I don't know if you need to interview a real person for this assignment but this information is certainly available in many sites on the net.

Here one: http://www.ancient-future.net/basics.html

 

[HorseFeathers]

Quote:
Thanks! Does anyone else know the answers to 6 and 7?

mom'sfolly: Yes, it has to be a real person unfortunately.

 

[geebs]

Asking for religious advice on this post is a kinda tricky thing... I understand your desire to get the information you seek however, it is difficult for ppl to respond to your question because of the posting rules......So if you don't get the response you desire it isn't that we don't want to help it's that we don't want a note from a moderator!! Good luck... I hope you find what you need.

 

[HorseFeathers]

Well thanks to Heather I finished my essay — phew! Thanks!