Do Catholics Worship Statues?

Tim Staples' Blog ^ | November 30, 2013 | Tim Staples

[CynicalBear]

ROFL If your stuck on justifying a behavior why do you care what I think? I simply give scripture as it relates to the subject. If you so desperately need man’s approval or allowance why don’t you just stay within the cult of Catholicism? If on the other hand you have some sort of guilt complex concerning the matter you won’t find consolation here or in scripture.

[D-fendr]

Are you uncomfortable explaining how you determine others are guilty of the sin of idolatry?

[CynicalBear]

>> Are you uncomfortable explaining how you determine others are guilty of the sin of idolatry?<<

I don’t determine others guilt. God alone can do that. Your phobia with trying to somehow justify your attachment to images, icons, statues and renderings without exhibiting any concern for what scripture teaches is rather troubling. Perhaps rather than worrying about what man thinks it would be prudent to truly study what scripture says without the prejudice of Catholic teaching.

[D-fendr]

I don’t determine others guilt.

So your posts on this thread.. you are not saying anyone in particular or in general is guilty of idolatry - violating the first commandment?

Are you saying you're not expressing that here or elsewhere?

[CynicalBear]

Deuteronomy 4:14 Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of likeness on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: 15 so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman,

That wasn’t me. That was God. If you feel “guilty” or “accused” you may need to take it up with Him.

[D-fendr]

Yes, you are not God. That’s a given.

But are you not expressing your view of who is guilty of idolatry and why?

I don’t think you are mute on this on this thread, do you?

[CynicalBear]

>> But are you not expressing your view of who is guilty of idolatry and why?<<

I agree with God because He is always right.

[D-fendr]

You are not God. I think we can agree on that. God being right and you being right are not the same.

Are you uncomfortable discussing your view of what is idolatry and why? If so..

[CynicalBear]

>>Are you uncomfortable discussing your view of what is idolatry and why? If so..<<<

I’m not uncomfortable at all. Using words directly from God is a totally firm foundation.

[D-fendr]

It is a very good foundation.

The question here is how do you use this foundation when you determine, as you are on this thread, what an idol is and who is guilty of the sin of idolatry?

If, for example, you assume someone did bow down in front of Michelangelo’s painting - this image of God. Would they thereby be guilty of idolatry? And would the painting be an idol?

[A CA Guy]

To be honest, I don’t remember what Paul said about that right this second, nor do I know that he foresaw life sized statues in the pews with followers.

I think the more simple people seem to need the visual.
As long as they are educated to know that the figure is not anything but a revered reference I see no problem.

We ask all those to maybe pray for us or with us, even those who passed, but only the God gets prayed to.

[D-fendr]

Because - back to the point - before we decide someone is guilty of idolatry we should be very clear on precisely how we determine that.

Don’t you agree?

[pgyanke]

If you understand the Book of Hebrews you will understand that there is no barrier anymore between God and us...Jesus has eradicated it. Yet Catholics still desire a mediator.

Do you ask others for their prayers? I'll skip the back and forth and go with it... yes, you do. We all do. Why? Do we need their prayers or shouldn't we just go directly to God as you suggest?

We all want others praying for us. Yes, Protestant theology generally rejects praying to the saints in Heaven for their prayers on our behalf... but then if you embraced Catholic theology, you would be a Catholic.

[editor-surveyor]

Most of the dead that you pray to are not in heaven, but burning in Hell.

Praying to them is necromancy pure and simple.

[what's up]

Do you ask others for their prayers?

Already addressed.

With a mortal person you can look them in the eye in space and time and relate back and forth on a personal basis as you pray FOR EACH OTHER.

There are many references in the Bible for this.

However, saints in Heaven are not omniscient/omnipresent; those are qualities of divinity. Catholics ascribe these qualities to saints in Heaven, but these attributes belong only to God.

[pgyanke]

Most of the dead that you pray to are not in heaven, but burning in Hell.

So let me see if I understand your world-view... The Church doesn't have the authority to identify those She believes to be in Heaven but editor-surveyor can say with certainty who is roasting in Hell. Got it. Thanks.

[pgyanke]

However, saints in Heaven are not omniscient/omnipresent; those are qualities of divinity. Catholics ascribe these qualities to saints in Heaven, but these attributes belong only to God.

Heaven also has one King and one Judge... and yet:

1 Corinthians 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

Certainly, we will be more than we are.

[caww]

Now this looks to me as if people are bowing and worshiping an image/idol..and it's not Jesus or God.....Further... if some would say this is not as clearly depicted then they might want to 'show what they DO see as bowing and worshiping....what is the difference when they bow and worship God???? If any???

[caww]

What would the difference be between those worshiping catholic idols and these worshiping and bowing to their idols? I can see no difference....

And this idol which was bowed down to and worshipped before they had photos of people doing so...

[Rashputin]

Ahh, the bull on Wall Street.

That's an idol an awful lot of "Christians" worship, especially those who see wealth as proof that they're one of the elect.