If Catholics or Orthodox want to have their own special traditions, relics, statuary, icons, prayers, songs, liturgies, etc., I really don't care. I'm not a member of their ecclesial community. But when some try to assert that "they" are the only true church and whatever they believe or teach about such extra stuff MUST be accepted by anyone who calls themselves a Christian, I think we should speak up if for no other reason than to say WHY we don't accept some of those extra things. Catholics shouldn't get offended when an OPEN Religion Forum thread is posted like this and people add their thoughts on a topic. I'm pretty sure if a non-Cath posted a thread discussing why we don't pray to dead "saints", there'd be plenty of Catholics defending why they do. Those with thin skins don't need to be on OPEN threads anyway. It's too bad that it takes threads like this to expose them.
This is true, and on such a basis all sorts of nonsense can be taught.
If Catholics or Orthodox want to have their own special traditions, relics, statuary, icons, prayers, songs, liturgies, etc., I really don't care. I'm not a member of their ecclesial community.
Since it is contrary to His word and offends God, we should care even if it does not directly affect us.