Heresy
Roman Catholic AnswerThere are different levels of "deviation" from Church teachings. Heresy is the most serious, incredulity is less serious, apostasy, and schism are also problems. All of them can land you in the wrong place when you die, so you can't say that any of them are not serious. Then there are some who redefine incredulity and heresy as "the spirit of Vatican II" or keeping up with the times. Both of these are the heresy of modernism which every Pope since Pope Pius X have warned us about.from
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994
2089
Incredulity is the neglect of revealed truth or the willful refusal to assent to it. "Heresy is the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith, or it is likewise an obstinate doubt concerning the same; apostasy is the total repudiation of the Christian faith; schism is the refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him." (Codex Iuris Canonici, canon 751: emphasis added.)
from
Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980
Heresy
. Commonly refers to a doctrinal belief held in opposition to the recognized standards of an establish system of thought. Theologically it means an opinion at variance with the authorized teachings of any church, notably the Christian, and especially when this promotes separation from the main body of faithful believers.
In the Roman Catholic Church, heresy has a very specific meaning. Anyone who, after receiving baptism, while remaining nominally a Christian, pertinaciously denies or doubts any of the truths that must be believed with divine and Catholic faith is considered a heretic. Accordingly four elements must be verified to constitute formal heresy; previous valid baptism, which need not have been in the Catholic Church; external profession of still being a Christian, otherwise a person becomes an apostate; outright denial or positive doubt regarding a truth that the Catholic Church has actually proposed as revealed by God; and the disbelief must be morally culpable, where a nominal Christian refuses to accept what he knows is a doctrinal imperative.
Objectively, therefore, to become a heretic in the strict canonical sense and be excommunicated from the faithful, one must deny or question a truth that is taught not merely on the authority of the Church but on the word of God revealed in the Scriptures or sacred tradition. Subjectively a person must recognize his obligation to believe. If he acts in good faith, as with most persons brought up in non-Catholic surroundings, the heresy is only material and implies neither guilt nor sin against faith. (Etym. Latin haeresis, from the Greek hairesis, a taking, choice, sect, heresy.)
Schism
No, an encyclical is not considered infallible in the teachings of the Catholic Church.
The yare expected to obey that teachnigs of the Church because Christ (God) gave them these teachings (The Church is an instrument which God uses to bring people to Himself) and so if you don't obey the Church's teachings, you don't obey God's teachings and if you don't obey God's teachings, you aren't as pleasing to God as if you did obey His teachings (Especially if this is regarding to the teachings of what is right and what is wrong)
No, the Catholic Church 'represents' the teachings of Jesus Christ, the evangelists and the early Church fathers.
The authentic magisterium in the teachings of the Catholic Church holds significance as it represents the authoritative teaching authority of the Church, ensuring the faithful interpretation and transmission of the teachings of Jesus Christ. It serves as a guide for Catholics to understand and follow the teachings of the Church with confidence in their truth and validity.
I atnd confused about your post: "The teachings of the Church". WHAT church are you referring to? Please re-phrase your post so that we understand just "which" "church" you are referring to. It is then, that we can reply in an appropriate fashion.
The Catholic Church maintains its original teachings intact. They do not backtrack.
No, according to the teachings of the Catholic Church, Catholics are not allowed to scatter their ashes. The Church requires that ashes be buried in a sacred place, such as a cemetery or church.
Yes, according to some religious teachings, it is permissible for women to speak in church.
The Catholic Church believes in the teachings of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible and tradition. These beliefs shape their teachings and practices by guiding moral principles, sacraments, and the hierarchy of the Church. The Church emphasizes love, forgiveness, and service to others as central to their faith.
Most people would not disagree with following the moral teachings of the Church. They are much the same as those of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and so on. Many disagree with following the religious teachings of the Christian Church, simply because they believe them to be untrue. If one is a Muslim, Budhhist, Hindu or atheist, then the religious teachings of the Church simply do not apply.
Papal encyclicals are not considered infallible teachings in the Catholic Church. They are authoritative documents that express the Pope's teachings and opinions on various issues, but they are not considered infallible unless they meet specific criteria outlined by the Church.