Posted on 12/17/2010 7:31:07 AM PST by marshmallow
There is a difference between having a statue as a decorative piece of a place of worship and a statue that is often the focus of rituals. IE the crowning of Mary.
Fair point.
Here’s a question for you, does your church have communion every week? I know this is going to sound a bit from left field, but I’d love it if you could go along with me for a bit here.
I know what the rosary is, I am ex-RCC. Matthew 6:7 warns us against repetitive prayer.
Wonderful point Brother.
And, actually, no— there is no reference to purgatory in those verses. Just to make sure, I did a word search. Guess what? No “purgatory.”
None.
So, once again (and finally, because I know that you cannot), I ask you: show me in the Scripture where “Purgatory” is referenced. The word that defines the place.
It’s not there. “Purgatory” is a Roman Catholic (i.e. a man-made) tradition.
Hoss
We do not have communion every week. Usually, every other week or once a month depending on who is performing the service. We dont subscribe to the Doctrine of Transubstantiation.
They really don't think what they are doing is wrong because their church tells them it's okay. It doesn't matter what Scripture says about this stuff their church is their final authority.
And you note that the prayer is to have MARY reconcile the person to Christ. Funny... I thought that was what God did!
;)
Hoss
Bureaucratic mindset, just following orders. They think that exonerates them from any liability, but as we all know, it comes down to individual responsibilty both in life and in worship
Statues=Graven Image
Sorry; that’s a no-no.
Hoss
Ben...there is nothing in scripture that states repeating a prayer to Mary over and over is rewarded on Heaven...let alone posting praying for her to interceed... as a mediator on a website... over and over. That’s just nonesense and wishful thinking. You can be assured replacing Christ with Mary will most assuredly NOT be rewarded. What a waste of time and heart for those who practice this...when it all should go to Christ..just as He asked.
“It’s not a problem for believers because HIS Church based on HIS WORD settled the issue from the beginning of time - no worship of idols, no graven images. HIS WORD always was and always will be.”
Which is why the Church ruled, based on the same evidence that the veneration of images is permissible?
Where’s your evidence from scripture that says that it is not?
No, the problem is as long as catholics oppose Gods clear warnings not to use these, nor bow to them, nor worship before them...they will miss the blessings God intended otherwise and mourn that loss on that day. I stress that practicing worship behavior before an idol or icon does more harm to the soul of an individual than they can possibly understand, let alone realize. But then pagans wouldn't identify sin for what it is.....neither Christians when they have 'seared' thier minds and hearts from the promptings of the Holy Spirit not to do this.
One, we don’t pray TO Mary, we ask her to pray for us.
Two, 1 Cor 3:13-7 explicitly says that if our works prove true to God, then we will be rewarded in heaven. If you had read the passage you would have understood what I was referring too.
“interceed... as a mediator”
Why would she intercede as a mediator when she can intercede as an intercessor. The terms do not mean the same thing.
“You can be assured replacing Christ with Mary will most assuredly NOT be rewarded”
Of course not, but dishonouring his mother will not be rewarded either. She is due the honour she is deserved.
“when it all should go to Christ..just as He asked”
Why is it always either/or? Why can’t it be both? We are commanded by Christ to pray for one another.
Funny you should mention this.
I was one of those people. You say it does harm to pagans, but I understood then, as I understand now, that there is a difference between veneration, ie - ‘to do honour’, and worship.
I don’t worship statues. I honour the Saints who have come before me. I don’t pray to the statues. You are exactly like the Iconoclasts of the 8th century, and you make the exact same arguments. You would bind us to circumcision. Christians are free to circumcise or uncircumcise, just as we are free to build statues or to leave them by.
I asked a question. I cannot read your mind. I can presuppose this, but I cannot know unless I ask. So I ask, where in scripture are you getting this from?
Unfortunately, the Church has disagreed for over 1300 years now. Statues are not graven images because we do not worship them.
I am sorry that you believe we worship them, but we do not.
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