Christian Beliefs Of Christian Church - 1251 Words

Over a thousand years ago, a small Catholic parish waited nervously. There were at least a hundred among them. They were openly Christian, Catholic individuals. They waited in the bottom of a Roman stadium, prevented from entering the main ring by a metal gate. On the other side of this gate lurked various vicious animals and gladiators. These Catholic individuals were about to be slaughtered for their faith. They were indeed anxious—loved ones said their final good byes, friends gave one another their final farewells. However anxious, they were ready. They were prepared to unite their suffering to the cross of Jesus Christ. An old man walked up to a young adult who only just converted to Christianity, who then found himself†¦show more content†¦The Catholic Church follows this practice today in remembrance of the abuse of the first Christians, and speaks the same words as a reminder of our own duty to follow Christ wherever he may lead us—even into ma rtyrdom. Examples like these inspire the tepid and challenge the complacent. But no religion can flourish, nor can it provide invaluable sustenance in the form of spiritual nourishment, if it is constantly and consistently oppressed. Religious freedom is essential to the existence of the Catholic Church and any other church for it to perform its proper and full function; no faith can lead individuals to the ultimate wellspring of life—God—without the ability to freely expand and come to such individuals. And even more than that, religious freedom brings, to every nation that protects it, an invaluable character and people that allow a nation to thrive. Religious Freedom diversifies societies, making them more culturally diverse, and thus more economically and politically adaptable and sustainable; substantiates a given nation’s moral base, which will prevent cultural regression and degeneration; and encourages individuals to pursue lives of sainthood and rig hteousness that would otherwise be discouraged and disdained by an oppressive state. On a more secular note, a rich, cultural heritage is what