As of a few years ago, it's official, THE WORLD IS ROUND! And, the earth rotates around the sun! The Vatican likes to update things every century or so.

Catholicism is supposed to be a universal religion, meaning any person can be in it and even if they have different beliefs they still can get those afterlife benefits we've all heard about. That's a great thing I think, because Catholics (real ones) won't go around telling you to repent lest you burn in hell for eternity. Forget about the Pope, forget about going to church, forget about bowing to some invisible avenger, because in the end none of that really matters; all that matters is that you are a good person in your life, and then you get in. And if are a bad person, but are truly repentant for your sins, you get in too. Isn't that sweet? Some people don't like this about Catholics, because they think they are getting cheated. They think that since they are right about what happens after death (and they don't think, they KNOW) they should be the ones going to heaven and everyone else should get the boot to eternal damnation. I don't even need to mention all the things wrong with that.

Catholics are indeed universal as someone else stated. They believe in "a lot of things," especially in the death and resurrection of Jesus, Mary, priest confessions, hell, rituals, idols and images. A must watch YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tadm_gPQ4UQ

What Roman Catholics are required to believe literally fills an entire book and not a small book. It's roughly the same size book as the Bible. . . . . It's also one of the most worthwhile books a Christian can read - even a non-Catholic such as myself. It explains so many basic (read fundamental or universal) Christian doctrines so well, and it is so well-organized. After you read it (it's a chore, it's so long), you will have a MUCH better understanding of what Catholics believe...and also of what YOU believe, no matter what denomination of Christian you are.

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Creator of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. That about sums it up. For a complete and detailed education on our rules and beliefs, pick up a copy of the catechism of the Catholic Church.

It's sort of like a directed christianity with a boss man and leadership team. They have some extra rules about stuff. They don't use thee, thou, thine and dost as much anymore.