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To: NYer

Never understood why the Vatican loves gold and intricate figures and statues and everything. I’ve always thought of the Vatican and the “people” within as being very vain.

The pope lives like royalty, and they worship images of Mary.
Mary is not God. Jesus is.


10 posted on 03/24/2013 3:27:36 PM PDT by FreedomStar3028
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To: FreedomStar3028; Tax-chick; NYer
>> they worship images of Mary. Mary is not God. Jesus is. <<

Actually, we don't worship images of Mary, but thanks for visiting this thread to chime with the protestant perspective of the papacy.

I'll be sure to return the favor and visit a protestant thread. You can hear our opinions about what we think of protestants claiming they can read God's mind and "know" they've been instantly "saved".

13 posted on 03/24/2013 3:38:33 PM PDT by BillyBoy ( Impeach Obama? Yes We Can!)
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To: All
An example of this Catholic hater's "Christian" love and compassion: (joined February, 2013)

Claim: Aurora Shooting Suspect Now Muslim
Thu 21 Mar 2013 09:05:50 PM PDT · 18 of 26
FreedomStar3028 to ogen hal

Neutron bomb them all

But the pope has a nice robe so he's the bad guy.

14 posted on 03/24/2013 3:40:43 PM PDT by steve86 (Acerbic by Nature, not Nurture™)
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To: FreedomStar3028
Never understood why the Vatican loves gold and intricate figures and statues and everything.

Neither does my step father. See Exodus 25:18–20. Catholics use statues, paintings, and other artistic devices to recall the person or thing depicted. Just as it helps to remember one’s mother by looking at her photograph, so it helps to recall the example of the saints by looking at pictures of them. Catholics also use statues as teaching tools. In the early Church they were especially useful for the instruction of the illiterate. Many Protestants have pictures of Jesus and other Bible pictures in Sunday school for teaching children. Catholics also use statues to commemorate certain people and events, much as Protestant churches have three-dimensional nativity scenes at Christmas.

I’ve always thought of the Vatican and the “people” within as being very vain.

You're not alone. It is a common misperception. Can you specify why you feel this way?

The pope lives like royalty

Again, a misconception. The pope gives up all personal goods and resides in the papal apartments. Following the death (or, in this case) the retirement of a pope, the apartments are sealed until a new pontiff is elected. When Pope Francis was shown the apartment, his reaction was similar to yours. While no official statement has yet been made, it has been mentioned that he plans to live elsewhere in a more humble setting.

they worship images of Mary.

Catholics venerate Mary. We do not worship her. Hyperdulia or super veneration is given to only one created being, and that is the Blessed Virgin Mary. It shows that Mary, the Mother of God, is so highly blessed and endowed by God that she stands alone in her class. She is above all the angels and all the Saints. She is the Mother of God.

18 posted on 03/24/2013 3:54:31 PM PDT by NYer (Beware the man of a single book - St. Thomas Aquinas)
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To: FreedomStar3028

Thank you for your kind response.


22 posted on 03/24/2013 4:34:43 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: FreedomStar3028; NYer

24 posted on 03/24/2013 4:36:04 PM PDT by Mrs. Don-o ("Behold, all generations will call me Blessed." - Blessed Virgin Mary)
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To: FreedomStar3028

>Mary is not God. Jesus is.<

.
Very astute observation.

In total sync with the teachings of the RCC.
Take time and do research what the RCC’s teachings are of Mary and the saints. Don’t remain stuck in your misinformed observations of the Catholic Church.


34 posted on 03/24/2013 4:59:02 PM PDT by 353FMG ( I do not indicate whether I am serious or sarcastic -- I respect FReepers too much.)
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To: FreedomStar3028; NYer
"I’ve always thought of the Vatican and the “people” within as being very vain."

Are you familiar with the USMC? Then this should help you understand why the "vanity" thing is a misconception. A cleric's vesments are not a personal fashion statement, any more than a Marine's Dress Blues.

It's the official clothing of office and ceremony, not a private caprice.

37 posted on 03/24/2013 5:24:52 PM PDT by Mrs. Don-o ("A saint wears the gold on the outside for the people; and the sackcloth on the inside, for his own.)
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To: FreedomStar3028; NYer
My friends, you may enjoy this from the wonderful G.K. Chesterton:

"Becket wore a hair shirt under his gold and crimson, and there is much to be said for the combination; for Becket got the benefit of the hair shirt while the people in the street got the benefit of the crimson and gold. It is at least better than the manner of the modern millionaire, who has the black and the drab outwardly for others, and the gold next his heart."

38 posted on 03/24/2013 5:29:35 PM PDT by Mrs. Don-o ("There never was anything so perilous or so exciting as orthodoxy." G.K. Chesterton)
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