I'll try again ...
Posted on 04/08/2003 10:29:25 AM PDT by drstevej
OBSERVATIONS:
[1] There seems to be a significantly reduced number of Protestant Threads (KJV Only being the exception for sure) in the FR Religion Forum.
[2] There seems to be a reduced number of FR Protestant posts in the Religion Forum.
This thread is a place to discuss these observations.
I'll try again ...
No, that was shot without the Father being present at all. It was written into his contract.
Golden Girls? No, I've got it.
BONANZA!
BigMack
Sort of sums up the "Religion" forum nicely.
I wouldn't disagree ... just watch out for holes (in your boat). They could, ultimately, take you down.
BigMack
Well, the geography is closer. And there was that episode about that man, his wife and his "daughter"...
I am curious as to your response to this. I note that you avoided a direct response in this post. Is this really the RCC explanation for the necessity of "venerating" Mary and praying to her instead of Christ directly?
No, that is not the reason, and I can't even imagine it being told to children like that. I did not neglect to address this point in order to "hide" anything, just because I thought it silly.
I have never heard why the RCC contends that, in the 4th or 5th century (when the Mariology business began to develop), it was thought that Christ became to busy to hear our prayers directly (if that is indeed the RCC argument) and started requiring everyone to go through Mary.
For the record, we do not teach that Christ or God is "too busy" to hear prayers. That is silly. Nor do we "require" people to only pray through Mary or other saints. Catholics can and do pray directly to the Father, Son or Holy Spirit. The various prayers in the Mass are all addressed to the Father, through Jesus, or in Jesus' name.
On the other hand, if the RCC admits that people can still pray to Christ directly (and be heard), why would anyone want to pray to some non-divine dead person (no matter how 'venerated' or anatomically unusual) instead? In other words, if the God of the Universe can hear our prayers directly, why would anyone choose (distinctly) second-best and risk insulting Him by acting as though He were hard of hearing and needed a dead messenger?
Wow. There's a lot there. First point, these "dead" people are actually alive and well and with God in heaven. That terminology ("dead people") comes across like a denial of the Resurrection.
Second, we don't "admit" that people can pray directly to God. Makes it sound like we wait until three or four toenails are pulled out before we "admit" this. Like I said, it is no secret. You wouldn't get past the first 3 minutes of a Mass before you found prayer directly to God.
Third, let me turn the question around on you. If you know Christ can hear your prayers, "why would anyone choose (distinctly) second-best and risk insulting Him by acting as though He were hard of hearing and needed a" second or third messenger? And yet we find appeals to pray for each other here all the time.
If Uncle Lou needs surgery and you want God to protect Him, is it insulting to God to ask hundreds of other Christians to pray for the same thing? Do you think He is hard of hearing or forgetful?
The point is that we join our prayers with those of our brothers in faith. And with our saints in Heaven, who are alive. We simply do not think of our "dearly departed" as "dead," but rather alive in Christ. Asking them to pray for us and with us is as natural as asking the guy next to you.
Christ has conquered death. It is not a barrier. If you are a member of the body of Christ on earth, you don't cease to be a member when you "die." There are not two bodies of Christ, one living, and one dead, awaiting some future re-union. We are all members of One Body.
I hope this helps and I appreciate your sincere questions.
SD
*ahem*
Now that's more like it. Does it come in automatic? Internet access? Needs a cross though. (didn't want to type a non-religious post on a religious thread :') )
If it was something we taught, it woudl not be hidden like that.
Dulia, baby. It's all dulia.
SD
Yes...I remember now...and that episode involved..."Little Joe!!!"
Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.
Michael Landon developed sort of a deity complex too, didn't he?
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