Posted on 07/07/2015 10:33:57 PM PDT by Morgana
1.“Catholics worship statues.” This stereotype is painful to hear. Not only is this completely false, but it is ludicrous. Despite the fact that there are 801 millions Protestants world-wide, according to the Pew Research Center, my rant will be geared towards our brothers and sisters in the United States. In this country, approximately 51.5% of people are Protestant Christians. Realistically, most of these families have pictures in their home, which is completely normal, right? Right. They have pictures of their loved ones, both living and deceased. Is it not hypocritical then to say that Catholics are idol worshipers, when these families have portraits of their loved ones on the walls? If these Protestant families can have pictures of Uncle Bernie and Mawmaw hanging on the wall, then most certainly the Church can present pictures of our beloved Jesus, his disciples, and the saints.
2.“Catholics pray to Mary instead of God.” This is a very common misconception throughout the Protestant community, and while I can understand why it is, I am also disheartened that many jump to such a harsh conclusion of the Catholic faith. We don’t pray to Mary, we ask her to pray for us, just as a Protestant asks their deceased grandparent/parent to watch over them.
3. “The saints can’t hear your prayers, because they are dead.” I beg to differ. Since when is anyone who is in Heaven considered dead? We call it the afterLIFE for a reason. In fact, there is biblical proof that the saints can hear our prays: -Revelation 5:8 “And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” -Revelation 8:3-4 “Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.”
4. “Mother Mary isn’t important; she’s just like anyone else.” If our Blessed Mother isn’t important, then every female would have had an immaculate conception. For this reason, that is why the declarative statement above doesn’t make sense. Of course Mother Mary is important, she gave birth to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. What is so amazing about the Catholic faith is the fact that we recognize the importance of Mary, and we honor her accordingly. She is a role model and saint for all Christians to look up to, because she submitted to God completely. Until the day another woman gives birth to Jesus, no one will ever be just like Mary. She is a very special, holy woman.
5. “Catholics made up all their rules.” Every single tradition we have in the Catholic Church, namely during Mass, has biblical roots. Not to mention the fact that Jesus was the founder of our Church. I don’t know about you, but Jesus doesn’t make mistakes.
6. “God said to confess sins to Him, not a priest.” This one is a personal favorite of mine. Drum roll please. -James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” It is true that we pray directly to God, and ask Him to forgiveness, however for sins (mortal) we do as Jesus commands and confess it to one another (our priests). Jesus said this directly to his disciples, so through Him, they were able to forgive sins. This power passed down to every priest, and so on and so forth. That felt good.
7. “Catholicism is a cult.” Jesus Christ founded this Church more than 2,000 years ago, I would hardly call it a cult.
8. “Catholics aren’t Christians.” The word Christian is associated with anyone who follows Christ’s teachings, and since the Catholic Church does just that then we are to be called Christians. Not to mention Catholics were actually the first Christians.
9. “Catholics added books to the Holy Bible.” This one is so hilarious it hurts. For 300 years there was no Bible, only random writings from the prophets like St.Peter etc, until the Catholic monks compiled and canonized what is now known today as the Holy Bible. (That is until the Protestant Reformation occurred, in which one man *Martin Luther* removed 7 books). Ouch.
10. “Catholics believe you can pay your way into Heaven.” We definitely do not. That is a huge misconception which occurred during the Protestant Reformation.
Despite the many stereotypes that hang over our faith, the important thing to remember is our Church has stood the test of time and remained for more than 2,000 years. Whether you are Catholic or Protestant-- we are all followers of Christ, and He is the ultimate goal.
“The truth is like a lion. You don’t have to defend it, let it loose, and it will defend itself.” -St. Augustine of Hippo
I’m a lapsed Catholic.....perhaps lapsed Christian better describes me, though I was brought up Roman Catholic
I defend my Catholic brethren when these attacks occur. Not because I necessarily believe all the canon dogma, but because a faith that does not interfere with other faiths has the right to be left to their own devices.
Now a faith like islam deserves to be routed out and excised from this country.
There are so many errors in this straw man that it is not even worth point them out.
Indeed there are!
That's pretty much worked for me my whole life.
I doubt very much whether God takes sides in the nasty sectarian debates here on FR, or anywhere else for that matter.
Oh my...I went to your link...(chuckle chuckle)
...”Confession is physiological manipulation to hold you from leaving the faith (or not abiding by it) and it has worked very well for the church.”.....
Thus Jesus can be trusted with it all and another reason why there is one mediator between God and man.
Common misconception even among Catholics. The five years here means that this indulgence is equivalent to five years in the ancient order of penitent, not five years in Purgatory.
It should also be pointed out that in order to receive an indulgence one must already be in a state of grace, i.e. already cleansed of mortal sin. In Protestant terms, one must already be saved by Jesus Christ. Indulgences and Purgatory do not refer to the question of being justified but to the process of sanctification in which we are conformed completely to the holiness of God. This process happens only to those who are already justified, i.e. saved.
Thanks!
Most confessionals have a screen which you cannot see through. It is also posible, as many Catholics do, to go to a church where you are not known.
just as a Protestant asks their deceased grandparent/parent to watch over them.
I was raised Catholic, left the Church at around 19 and became a Baptist at around 30. I don’t now nor have I ever “asked” any deceased relative or any other person to “watch over” me.
Jesus is sufficient.
Well if already saved and in the state of Grace...there's no reason for indulgences...there is no further punishment temporal or otherwise.... Jesus said ..”It is finished”...He also said.......”I write these things to you ‘who believe’ in the name of the Son of God so that you may ‘KNOW’ that you have eternal life.”... I John 5:23
Jesus satisfied “all” judgment....”all” requirements... of a Holy God for... “all” our sin. Not in part but the whole.
As for Sanctification....
Here again Jesus says in John 17:19 ...”And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified.”......Jesus was set apart for his office as Mediator... he voluntarily devoted himself to this work, thus we are sanctified to finish our work here on earth as well. ...
Additionally that they also might be sanctified through the truth; ....As written in John 17:19...”I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be ‘sanctified in truth’...Jesus ‘IS’ the truth...being saved we are ‘IN Him’ by and through His Spirit which dwells with us as believers..
And again...Jesus clearly states....”You are ‘already’ clean because ‘of the word’ I have spoken to you.”...John 15;3
And of course Hebrews 10:10 tells us.....”..by that will, we have ‘been made holy’ through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ ‘once for all’...Hebrews 10;10
Soo....”There is now ‘therefore’ no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...Romans 8'1...not now nor later when we see Jesus!
What if the details cause people to distort the Word?
In the New Testament didn’t the Apostles give lectures when Christians went astray.
Can’t we have theological discussions amongst us???
The trick is to do so lovingly and respectfully. Most of us, myself included, have fallen short in this regard.
I am not religious...i belive in God and the bible. I have disagreements with the theology of every religion.
I worshipped at a LCMS church last weekend. Loved it!
It’s really hard to have a discussion, on line or face to face, about what the bible says with some who doesn’t care what the bible says.
That might be true, but don't forget Hebrews 10:25. The fellowship of believers is important.
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
Um, no. Protestants do not ask their deceased relatives to watch over them.
3. there is biblical proof that the saints can hear our prays...
Wait. You just argued that you don't pray to Mary, but now you're arguing for praying to the saints? Please pick a side.
4. If our Blessed Mother isn’t important, then every female would have had an immaculate conception.
Please review the term theotokos. This is properly translated as God-bearer, and incorrectly translated as "Mother of God". The term is important for what is says about Jesus, not for what it says about Mary. It's always about Jesus.
5. “Catholics made up all their rules.” Every single tradition we have in the Catholic Church, namely during Mass, has biblical roots. Not to mention the fact that Jesus was the founder of our Church. I don’t know about you, but Jesus doesn’t make mistakes.
Worst answer ever! Everything is biblical? Since when has that been a requirement? Catholics have holy tradition.
Secondly, you might as well rewrite this paragraph for the Supreme Court. Every single ruling of the Supreme Court follows the constitution. I don't know about you, but I believe in the constitution. See what I did there...
6. confess it to one another (our priests)
Really? Does that simple substitution work every time James uses the phrase "one another"? How about "Do not speak evil against one another"? So we are not to speak evil against the priests, but everyone else is okay. Sheesh. Reminds me of Catholics indiscriminately replacing Apostles with Catholic Church when they read and interpret the Bible.
7. Jesus Christ founded this Church more than 2,000 years ago, I would hardly call it a cult.
Catholicism isn't a cult because you claim it was founded by Jesus. Please tell me one cult that doesn't claim a valid origin? This answer might be worse that number 5.
Every single tradition we have in the Catholic Church, namely during Mass, has biblical roots.
I do not except doctrine based on roots when the very words of Jesus is there to see and to teach.
Mathew 24
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
The words of Jesus is the gospel, doctrine based on Jesus is not.
Everything is not in the Bible?
A question?
How does Paul state that 500 people saw Jesus after his Resurrection (at one time) when it is not recorded in any Gospel?
Holy Tradition — passing the Word of God on one person to another.
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