A religion is a set of beliefs that give you a perspective on the natural and spiritual world. The Catholic Church teaches that God created us to be with Him, and it is by growing and becoming just and holy that we finish our development before joining Him in heaven. Our beliefs give us guidance in growing closer to God in our spiritual lives and growing closer to each other that we prepare for the full communion of saints in heaven.
The Bible is the most central element of Catholicism. It is believed to be written by those specifically inspired by God. Catholics believe that the Bible is true, meaning that everything included in it reveals some truth. This does not imply a literal reading. Catholics consider the background of the culture and time of the writer, as well as the different literary forms, in deciding what each Bible passage is supposed to say. For example, the story of Jonah teaches us a great deal about our own self-centered view of the world, and about God's mercy. But the story itself is a parable, so there is no need to argue whether Jonah was swallowed by a whale or a big fish.
The Catholic Church teaches that only the Church itself, generally through the hierarchy, can interpret the Bible. Even priests and catechists must adhere carefully to what the Church has to say about each passage. This causes issues with those who believe that educated people who read and study the Bible for themselves should be able to understand it. The main reason for this teaching of the Church is that if people were to draw their own conclusions from what they read in the Bible, the Church would split into thousands of pieces because few could agree on a single perspective. Publications such as the New American Bible, with its extensive footnote and cross-referencing system, have made it quite possible for laymen to read the Bible on their own.
The second set of elements, which are of equal importance and come from th...