Catholic Belief System
Religion and homeland are the two things which we cannot chose; they are attached to our parents, culture, and nation. Although there are cases when people change their beliefs and join different churches and religions, it is unnatural, and typically it is a rare occurrence, which means that original collection of perception, truths, and attitudes are important to a person. Wikipedia states that a belief system is “a conviction in the truth of proposition” (Wiki, 2006). Our beliefs or belief systems form our religious faith. Thus, people that identify with one and the same religion have nearly the same beliefs. 
As for me, I am a Catholic. My beliefs are consistent with major Christian beliefs. In addition, the collection of other additional religious beliefs together with those major ones makes me a decent follower of Catholicism. The major beliefs are associated with the existence of Jesus Christ and the twelve disciples, His Mother Mary, and His Crucifixion, as well as His Resurrection, and the Miracles. All the other beliefs revolve around Jesus, Holy Spirit, and God the Father. Jesus’ righteousness and humbleness are one of the most important concepts of Catholic belief system, which I share as well. I believe that there is a direct descending chain from the first original Church formed by Jesus Christ, the creation of which is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 16 verse 18. I believe that God had created Earth and the entire Solar system, and had formed a man out of dust by breathing life inside his nostrils (Gen, 2). I also believe that the real me – my soul – would go to heaven to join Jesus and other followers. And I also believe that only live people can help those suffering in hell, and that is why I think that it is important to pray for the late ones. There are also many other derivatives of these major beliefs, which would take many pages to discuss.
In addition to the spiritual ideas and concepts, cultural and traditional beliefs also are part of the belief system. For example, I believe that necessary attributes of worship include music, candles, water, and sacred images or icons. I also believe that Eucharist is sacred, and that truly Jesus gives us His flesh and blood just like He did at the Last Supper mentioned in the New Testament.
Just like language and culture, original religion is acquired naturally as we grow. People learn foreign languages, but they do not remember learning their mother tongue, because they have known it as long as they remember themselves. Religion, culture, and belief system is almost the same. Many ideas and concepts we take from our parents, from other relatives, sisters, bothers, cousins. Something we might learn from local Pastors or Priests. Some of the religious traditions and beliefs we know as long as we can remember ourselves, while others we learn by questions and inquiries, as well as simple learning. I too don’t remember how I got to know many of the concepts and beliefs. They have been instilled in me together with language in the early years of life. Other things I have acquired as I got older.
It is rather difficult to find benefits and disadvantages of Catholicism from an objective standpoint, because I am Catholic myself. For me, other religions are wrong and Catholicism is the only one genuine religion of truth. However, I do respect other Christian religions such as Orthodoxy or Protestantism. 
As for me, there is not single disadvantage in Catholicism and my belief system. Even though I might dislike something, I cannot call this particular event or belief or thing a disadvantage. I would simply take this thing for granted and accept it as an inseparable part of my religion. As a matter of fact, sacrificing is an important element of Christianity, and I take those things I dislike as this minor sacrifice to the Lord. Although it may be inconvenient to wake up early and go to the Church, you have to overcome this temptation and go. This is one of the things I dislike, but I know that by such “exercise” I train my will and build up my faith. Another thing I do not like much is the confession, when I have to tell the Father about the recent sins I had committed. I take privacy issues very seriously, and I do not want to feel invasion. However, every time I confess I realize that I do the right thing, and that the Holy Spirit comes down to me if am sincere. This overcoming is an important part of Catholicism which serves as a test of faith. I do not like these tests, but deep inside I understand that they are for the better, and they teach me humbleness and wisdom.
As I have already mentioned above, tradition plays an important part in my belief system, and in Catholicism as a whole. In fact, Catholicism is based on tradition, because its roots go back to 1st century CE. It is a matter of tradition to serve red wine and bread during sacred services and blessings, and this tradition was formed by Jesus Christ. Confessions are also traces of the past; just like Jesus forgave sins, Fathers also listen to us and forgive our sins. 
Interestingly, I do not know the roots of many things, events, and services in Catholicism, yet I accept them as they are, and I never question them. This fact means that these things are inherited from generation to generation, while there is nearly no official record about them anywhere. For example, why fathers wear those little hats? Why do they wear those gowns? Why are the Catholic churches all the same in structure? Jesus did not wear a hat, or at least there I not record about it in the scriptures, so why should priests wear them? Also, why do we worship sacred images? There is not a single mention of worshiping pictured in the Bible. These kinds of questions many people ask, and there are many of these kinds of questions. However, the answers are unwritten yet generally accepted. And most importantly, nobody dares test or question them because they are taken for granted. These things are tradition; our predecessors have done these things exactly the same, which is a significant reason to continue doing things in this particular manner. 
Not only in Catholicism tradition is important, but it is important for religion as a whole. However, some religions, typically young ones, might not support tradition like other older religions. But generally, major religions are based on tradition. Judaism, Islam, Orthodoxy, and Catholicism and many more are the major examples of religions that are primarily based on tradition. All these religions (and many others) have certain holidays, customs, and sacred services, the origins of which are unknown. People simply continue this heritage because their fathers and grandfathers have done the same. Catholics put thumbs, rings fingers and little fingers together as they cross themselves left to right, while Orthodox Christians put thumbs, point fingers and middle fingers as they cross themselves right to left. This is only a matter of tradition, and hardly anybody can explain this difference. 
There are many things that Catholics might find strange and even stupid. In Eastern cultures, for example, there is a religion, followers of which literally lick idols. Or some Middle East traditions may include bloody processions. While these things may look wild and stupid for us (Christians), many things we take for granted would probably look stupid for Easterners. It is natural that traditions, customs, and beliefs differ across cultures and religions. And nowadays it is vitally important to understand this because of the increasing world migration. Thus, it is important to know at least the basic concepts of traditions and beliefs of other religious belief systems. Not only it is a matter of individual literacy to know such things, but also it is important because one might get confused when he or she says something that is considered wrong by interlocutors. People from Middle East, for example, would be offended if they are offered whiskey. On the other hand, Christians would get offended if they are offered a water pipe.
Ultimately, our belief system is a complex set of values, truths, and concepts that we believe to be genuine. Our belief system is formed gradually as we grow up, and many a time we do not know why we know this or that thing to be true. As we grow up, we gain more knowledge and empower our personal belief system with additional knowledge. Many questions, however, remain unanswered because they have come to us through tradition. Thus, tradition and culture make a significant effect on religious belief system. But since religions and culture differ across nations and countries, it is important to be familiar with other religions and beliefs as well. 
Bibliography
1.	Wikipedia contributors (2006). Religion. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 13, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion
2.	Wikipedia contributors (2006). Catholicism. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 17:39, February 13, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholicism