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Gamecock: Thanks for asking a clarifying question. Most Catholics, and especially in the U.S., are members of the Latin rite and hence "Roman" Catholics, although the churches generally just label themselves "Catholic."

Sometimes they will make a point of listing themselves as "Roman Catholic" especially if there are other historic/language groups around, e.g. Byzantines, and they want to make a distinction for the convenience of people who are looking for one or t'other.

Here's the whole scoop and nobody could blame you for being confused.

JL1789, I'm not sure what you mean when you say "Catholicism has Buddhists, spiritists, and cultists." So do "Protestantism," and "Judaism," if you want to talk about people who are deviating from their own norms: the Baptist lady who believes in horoscopes, the Jewish guy who is also a Buddhist monk (Leonard Cohen!)

But it's not properly a part of their Catholic or Baptist or Protestant or Jewish faith, but a deviation therefrom. There's a difference between the straight Faith, properly so called, and its sometimes wobbly observance.

This can range from a minor faux pas made in good faith, to something truly scandalous, head-pounding and wackadoo. We ought not to make rash judgments until we find out what the person really did, really thought, or was really trying to convey.

As for incense: Orthodox more commonly, and Catholics on high occasions, incense everything dedicated to God: Holy Bibles, Holy Crosses, pulpits, walls, rafters, altars, coffins and burial cloths, icons, banners, vestments, water, oil, offering-baskets, and each other.

The meaning of it is: This is dedicated to God.

Come, see, and you'll quite possibly be incensed.

Whether you'll be en-chanted is another question entirely! :o)

“I’m not sure what you mean when you say “Catholicism has Buddhists, spiritists, and cultists.” So do “Protestantism,” and “Judaism,” if you want to talk about people who are deviating from their own norms: the Baptist lady who believes in horoscopes, the Jewish guy who is also a Buddhist monk (Leonard Cohen!)”

You are thinking only in the American context where you can actually cite examples by name as you have done.

In Asia it numbers into the millions and millions. And I believe it is deliberately tolerated for the numbers that can be counted on the rolls, and the coins that that keep the elaborate church buildings maintained.

We not only would but DO openly preach the falacy of it if we see it in our churches, and membership is not permitted without genuine repentance from idols (1 Thess. 1:9, 10; etc.), certainly not participation at the Lord’s table, because to permit such is a denial denial of the Faith of Christ.

We do not permit membership to any who maintain false gods or are members of false religions, or who are members of secret societies, or who take secret oaths in any organization.