Catholic answers
Answers
Short, sourced answers to real questions about the Catholic faith, organized by topic and by tradition.
-
Catholic vs. Protestant: The Real Differences, from Scripture
Catholic vs. Protestant: the real differences on authority, salvation, the Bible, the Eucharist, Mary and the pope, compared side by side from Scripture.
-
Did the Catholic Church Change the Ten Commandments?
No. Jews, Catholics, Lutherans and the Reformed number the same ten words differently. Why the image commandment was never deleted, from Scripture.
-
Is Lying Ever Okay? The Catholic Answer, Even When a Life Is at Stake
Is lying ever okay, even to save a life? Why the Catholic Church says lying is always wrong, what Rahab and the midwives teach, and how to protect the innocent.
-
Is Surrogacy a Sin? What the Catholic Church Teaches About Surrogate Motherhood
Is surrogacy a sin? The Catholic Church says yes, paid or unpaid. See why from Scripture and Church teaching, and the real hope she offers infertile couples.
-
What Does the Catholic Church Teach About the Death Penalty?
The Catholic Church teaches the death penalty is inadmissible (CCC 2267). Here is what that means, how it fits Scripture and her history, and why it is true.
-
Is Cursing a Sin? Swearing, Profanity, and Taking God's Name in Vain
Is cursing a sin? The Catholic answer on blasphemy, God's name in vain, oaths, cursing people, and crude language: what is grave, what is venial, how to stop.
-
Is Gambling a Sin? What the Bible and the Catholic Church Teach
Is gambling a sin? What CCC 2413 teaches, when a bet becomes sinful, what Scripture says about lots, greed, and family, and the way out of compulsive gambling.
-
Can Divorced Catholics Receive Communion? What the Church Teaches
Divorce alone does not bar a Catholic from Communion; a new union while a valid first marriage stands does. Scripture, the Fathers, and the Catechism show why.
-
Is Euthanasia a Sin? Catholic Teaching on Assisted Suicide and End-of-Life Care
Is euthanasia a sin? Catholic teaching forbids euthanasia and assisted suicide but allows refusing burdensome treatment and using painkillers. Here is why.
-
Can Catholics Be Cremated? What the Church Teaches About Cremation and Ashes
Can Catholics be cremated? Yes. The Catholic Church permits it but prefers burial, and the ashes must rest in a sacred place, never scattered or divided up.
-
Is Missing Mass a Sin? The Sunday Obligation Explained
Is missing Mass a sin? Scripture, the Church Fathers and the Catechism explain the Sunday obligation, who is excused, and the way back through Confession.
-
Is Masturbation a Sin? What the Bible and the Catholic Church Teach
Is masturbation a sin? What Scripture and the Catholic Church teach, why it is grave matter, what lessens guilt, and how to find freedom, mercy and hope.
-
Is Watching Pornography a Sin? The Catholic Answer, and the Way Out
Is watching pornography a sin? What Scripture and the Catholic Church teach, who it harms, why habit lessens guilt but never makes it good, and the way out.
-
What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Transgender Identity?
The Catholic Church on transgender identity: body and soul are one, sex is a gift to accept, and every person has dignity. Scripture and the Fathers explain.
-
Is Sex Before Marriage a Sin? What the Bible and the Catholic Church Teach
Is sex before marriage a sin? What the Bible, the early Christians and the Catholic Church teach on premarital sex, engagement, living together and mercy.
-
Does the Catholic Church Allow Gay Marriage? What It Teaches About Same-Sex Unions and Blessings
Does the Catholic Church allow gay marriage? No. Her teaching on same-sex unions, blessings and Fiducia Supplicans, and why it cannot change, from Scripture.
-
Is Smoking Weed a Sin? What the Catholic Church Teaches About Marijuana, Drugs and Drinking
Is smoking weed a sin? Scripture, the early Church and the Catechism on marijuana, drinking and sobriety, with the strongest objections answered and real hope.
-
Is Getting a Tattoo a Sin? Leviticus 19:28 and the Catholic Answer
Is getting a tattoo a sin? Not in itself, but we strongly recommend against one. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. What Leviticus 19:28 really forbade.
-
Is IVF a Sin? What the Catholic Church Teaches About IVF, and Why
Is IVF a sin? The Catholic Church says yes, even with a couple's own embryos. See why from Scripture and the Fathers, plus real hope for infertile couples.
-
What Does the Bible Say About Marriage? Why It Is One Man and One Woman
Jesus defined marriage by joining Genesis 1:27 and 2:24: one man and one woman, for life. Scripture, the Church Fathers, and the Catechism explain why.