Posted on 12/26/2017 4:27:32 PM PST by ealgeone
This may pre-empt any ensuing “Catholics Worship Statues” “debate” that may arise out of all this, but probably not (since no one ever seems to read what’s posted in these threads anyway): https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/so-catholics-worship-statues
Oh...yes. People do read these threads. I have previously read the article you linked and disagree with the whole thing as what Rome advocates is not found in the New Testament.
I must have been rather uneducated, when I was a catholic, cuz I never ever heard of this. I don’t know for sure, but this sounds to me, like it might be more prevalent in places like Mexico, central and South America. But me personally? I had never heard of it myself.
Except it is not witnessed in the NT.
As daniel1212 has noted in one of his excellent posts, the prayers noted in the Bible are directed to God.
>>“IMHO there is no difference in praying to an idol of Mary or burying an idol of Joseph in the dirt...either way...a lack of trust in God.”<<
Praying to a saint - who was made a saint through the power of God - for intercession before that very same God is a heck of a lot different than worshiping an idol or engaging in superstition. And, quite frankly, I think you know that too.
To be honest, I see a lot of superstition in Roman Catholicism ...this thread an example.
Are we not all saints? Through the power of God?
What you did there.
I see.
You’re absolutely right ;-)
It’s an odd Italian custom; not something the Church approves or promotes. Sounds like the sin of superstition to me.
Where in the Old Testament do you find any authorization for the writing of this “New Testament” thing to which you appeal?
“Except it is not witnessed in the NT.”
Neither is sola scriptura, or the canon, or altar calls, or Protestantism.
“As daniel1212 has noted in one of his excellent posts, the prayers noted in the Bible are directed to God.”
And, again, not every truth is in scripture and neither are the untruths that Protestants peculiarly believe in - yet you still hold to them. How do you explain that inconsistency on your part?
“To be honest, I see a lot of superstition in Roman Catholicism ...this thread an example.”
This thread is more an example of Protestant anti-Catholic superstition than anything else.
“Are we not all saints?”
All Christians in scripture were called saints. No one who wrote those passages was referring to or envisioning 21st century Protestant anti-Catholics. And clearly - as I just mentioned St. Stephen THE MARTYR - or St. Joseph, or the Virgin Mary we are talking about saints IN HEAVEN. One must remember that even Ananias and Sapphira would have been called saints among Christians. Were they? When did they cease being saints?
“Through the power of God?”
Only God makes saints. Protestant anti-Catholics ascribe for themselves the title of saints - but not as first century Christians did. Instead Protestant anti-Catholics routinely ascribe to themselves all of the biblical things they have no natural and perhaps no supernatural right to.
However, I would never make fun of Christmas like We wa was did. That is a an abomination and I will say seven Hail Mary's and four Our Fathers for his immortal soul.
Also, I hope the people dig up Saint Joseph and free him after they sell their house and don't leave him to rot. It seems cruel.
Same source that authorized the OT.
Spoken like a good Mormon or as any other cult would.
==========
"Neither is sola scriptura, or the canon, or altar calls, or Protestantism."
The appeal to the written word is well attested to in Scripture. Roman Catholic tradition....no. We've discussed alter calls before and the first one is in Acts You will attempt to bog down the argument in a semantic. But Peter offered an altar call....call it what you want People heard the word, responded and were saved. Perhaps Romam Catholicism should try that.
As I don't claim to be a Protestant I don't care if it is or isn't in the NT. However, what is important is Roman Catholicism is not witnessed in the NT.
However, Christianity is witnessed to in the New Testament. As a follower of Christ that's all that matters.
“Spoken like a good Mormon or as any other cult would.”
In other words, you can’t refute the point I made.
“Perhaps Romam Catholicism should try that.”
If you’re going to call that an altar call, then one is given at every Mass.
“As I don’t claim to be a Protestant...”
But you are one anyway.
“However, Christianity is witnessed to in the New Testament.”
Yes, and it isn’t Protestant. It’s Catholic. You’re a Protestant, however.
Completely in keeping with the rest of catholic voodoo.
Worked for me, but I didn’t bury the statue! I prayed and told St. Joseph I needed help, but felt that it was disrespectful to bury his statue. Would he help anyway? After over a year on the market, the house sold almost immediately after I did that!
The point is refuted. Mormons and other cults make the same argument that not all truth is found in Scripture. However John tells why these things were written....30Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:30-31 NASB
Uh,..... yeah.......
Pretty superstitious of them, no?
If in your narcissistic world view that makes you feel better about yourself more power to you.
I follow Christ and only Him. I rely upon only Him for my salvation and eternal life. I pray only to Him and not created beings. I kneel before Him and not created beings.
I believe Him when He says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life." John 5:24 NASB
That makes one a Christian.
Question is....do you believe His promise of John 5:24?
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