Posted on 05/30/2008 10:21:34 AM PDT by Ultra Sonic 007
Some of you will remember my recent decision to become a Catholic. I suppose I should be surprised it ended getting derailed into a 'Catholic vs. Protestant' thread, but after going further into the Religion forum, I suppose it's par for the course.
There seems to be a bit of big issue concerning Mary. I wanted to share an observation of sorts.
Now...although I was formerly going by 'Sola Scriptura', my father was born and raised Catholic, so I do have some knowledge of Catholic doctrine (not enough, at any rate...so consider all observations thusly).
Mary as a 'co-redeemer', Mary as someone to intercede for us with regards to our Lord Jesus.
Now...I can definitely see how this would raise some hairs. After all, Jesus Himself said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that none come to the Father but through Him. I completely agree.
I do notice a bit of a fundamental difference in perception though. Call it a conflict of POV. Do Catholics worship Mary (as I've seen a number of Protestants proclaim), or do they rather respect and venerate her (as I've seen Catholics claim)? Note that it's one thing to regard someone with reverence; I revere President Bush as the noted leader of the free world. I revere my father. I revere Dr. O'Neil, a humorous and brilliant math teacher at my university. It's an act of respect.
But do I WORSHIP them?
No. Big difference between respecting/revering and worshiping. At least, that's how I view it.
I suppose it's also a foible to ask Mary to pray for us, on our behalf...but don't we tend to also ask other people to pray for us? Doesn't President Bush ask for people to pray for him? Don't we ask our family members to pray for us for protection while on a trip? I don't see quite a big disconnect between that and asking Mary to help pray for our wellbeing.
There is some question to the fact that she is physically dead. Though it stands to consider that she is still alive, in Heaven. Is it not common practice to not just regard our physical life, but to regard most of all our spirit, our soul? That which survives the flesh before ascending to Heaven or descending to Hell after God's judgment?
I don't think it's that big of a deal. I could change my mind after reading more in-depth, but I don't think that the Catholic Church has decreed via papal infallibility that Mary is to be placed on a higher pedestal than Jesus, or even to be His equal.
Do I think she is someone to be revered and respected? Certainly. She is the mother of Jesus, who knew Him for His entire life as a human on Earth. Given that He respected her (for He came to fulfill the old laws; including 'Honor Thy Father and Mother'), I don't think it's unnatural for other humans to do the same. I think it's somewhat presumptuous to regard it on the same level as idolatry or supplanting Jesus with another.
In a way, I guess the way Catholics treat Mary and the saints is similar to how the masses treated the Apostles following the Resurrection and Jesus's Ascension: people who are considered holy in that they have a deep connection with Jesus and His Word, His Teachings, His Message. As the Apostles spread the Good News and are remembered and revered to this day for their work, so to are the works of those sainted remembered and revered. Likewise with Mary. Are the Apostles worshiped? No. That's how it holds with Mary and the saints.
At least, that's how my initial thoughts on the subject are. I'll have to do more reading.
No, dear one, I’m not distorting his image. A Christian is a person who is saved. What’s so difficult about that? A Christian is a person who has asked the Lord Jesus Christ to come into his or her heart, to dwell there. Christians are not merely church goers, at least not true and born again believers. I fear that’s a big divide between us and that saddens me. Baptism won’t save you. Mary can’t save you. The Eucharist can’t save you. It’s only Jesus, whom God sent into the world to save the world (meaning us). What is so difficult about that?
I know you are sincere, mgist, and I appreciate your posts, but the Bible tells us how to be saved. That’s how I know. It IS universal knowledge for the believer—God’s Holy Word.
Reading the mind of another poster is a form of "making it personal."
I’ve had it happen to me from one of the RC’s. Had the religion mod’s name right on it.
You find that picture cool, I find it to be typical of the disrespectfull and distorted representation of what is Holy, by some who claim to be saved and all knowing. That's just my personal opinion.
Yes, I did. And she is.
The only ones who inseminate without consent are rapists.
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Is this not an understanding of sex and procreation from merely the naturalistic, physical side of things. We are not talking about a man jumping into a bed with a woman here for sensual or erotic pleasure.
How cute is that???????????
Yes, it really is!
You are right I'm not perfect, but more importantly I'm forgiven.
There is a big difference between discussing the differences in beliefs and being critical of ideas, from taking it to a level of slander, misquoting, calumny, and personal attacks on individuals.
This is the problem of perception.
The RCC makes all kind of claims that have no Scriptural support that when criticized are then viewed as slanders by RC's. I'll give you an example calling your clergy father and believing they have "magic fingers", or calling Mary "co-redeemer".
The religion moderator created "ecumenic" threads for those that are easily offended.
Oh, okay. Thanks for letting me know.
Oh my gosh, that is just too good!
Uh, Petronski, I was being a tad sarcastic?
Maybe we are talking about different things. The cell adhesion protein Laminin that binds all the cells together is in the form of a cross. We are bound together with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit because of the cross.
God reveals himself to us in lots of different ways including nature. When evidence of this is in front of us I think it is just so cool that God gives us this evidence.
Please explain it to me.
I'm glad that you feel entitled to enter the kingdom of God just having asked, but it is a long and bumpy road. Good luck with that. I tend to get lost and don't even realize it, especially when I am away from the church.
Matthew 19
Now someone approached him and said, "Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?" 17 He answered him, "Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. 13 If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."
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