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.
A political document? Hmmmmmm........
These writers are modern day folks who have compiled information about Cults and warn others about them. They give vital information that helps to indicate what cults are. Got a problem with that?
theologies of men? Catholics do the same. Puleeze.
I wouldn’t worry about Quix’s immortal soul.
AMEN, Quix.
***I pray you have great success with that!
Which was your first language?***
Given the nature of many of Quix’s postings, I might suggest Tribble.
***These writers are modern day folks who have compiled information about Cults and warn others about them. They give vital information that helps to indicate what cults are. Got a problem with that?***
Sure. Uninspired men giving theological advice. You bet that I have a problem with that.
***theologies of men? Catholics do the same. Puleeze.***
The theology of the Church. That is the difference. I will ping Mad Dawg, a former rabid Protestant, and ask him to testify.
Naw . . .
III Quix 7:33 states that one must let the clue-anemic bury the clue anemic.
I didn’t realize so many RC’s made-up such a fruitful field for selling ESL classes.
***I wouldn’t worry about Quix’s immortal soul.***
As it so happens, we are instructed to care about all men’s souls. I worry about Quix’s immortal soul because he appears to demonstrate a carelessness about it that may put it into peril.
Thanks for your kind affirmation.
I was beginning to wonder if some ET’s had descended in motherships all over the countryside and zapped particularly RC’s and maybe some other FREEPERS’ comprehension of English right out of their heads.
LOL.
***III Quix 7:33 states that one must let the clue-anemic bury the clue anemic.***
I’m sure that you meant something by this. Would you care to elaborate so that those of us who live on a planet with a blue sky can understand?
You have a blue sky?
I thought your sky was perpetually covered in white hankies!
***I didn’t realize so many RC’s made-up such a fruitful field for selling ESL classes.***
You really are demonstrating some alternative realities tonight. Why would you state that Catholics made up a fruitful field for selling Electronic Sports League lessons?
Do you have a valid driver’s licence?
***You have a blue sky?
I thought your sky was perpetually covered in white hankies!***
I’m sure that you meant something by this. Would you care to elaborate so that those of us who live on a planet with a blue sky can understand?
***I was beginning to wonder if some ET’s had descended in motherships all over the countryside ***
I find certain evidence that they have.
You’ve come to understand the font of GTTM: gibberish to the max.
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