Non-Biblical Doctrines and Practices Developed
Within the Catholic Church

• Monasticism - The church encouraged many to withdraw from society believing that in so doing they would be alone with God; men who practiced monasticism were called monks and woman were called nuns.

• Celibacy - Monks, nuns, and priests believed they should not be married.

• Praying to Mary or saints (deceased persons who were officially recognized by the church as holy) - They believed that Mary or the saints could stand before God on behalf of sinners.

• Penance - Punishments which a repentant sinner had to undergo to show their sorrow for their sins.

• Purgatory - The place after death where repentant sinners completed the portion of punishment for sins not completed while living.

• Indulgences - A waiver from the pope that excused the sinner from doing penance and shortened the time one had to stay in purgatory.

• Transubstantiation - The belief that elements of the Sacrament actually became the body and blood of Christ.

• Infant baptism - The belief that infants must be baptized to overcome original sin.

• Pilgrimages - Those who visited the Holy Land or visited holy churches with select religious relics were able to shorten their time in purgatory.