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The major difference between the two (Catholic and Protestant) is the definition of Worship. God seems to feel that bowing is worship, as it states this in the 10 commandments, as well as the many stories in the Old Testament in how God’s anger burned against those who bowed to idols. I know that this is not how the Catholics see it, as I’ve been told this many times.

God feels that bowing in the OT is worship, does He? Let us examine that statement.

Genesis 42: 6 Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.

2 Samuel 1: 2 On the third day a man arrived from Saul’s camp with his clothes torn and dust on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him honor.

Psalm 72: 9 May the desert tribes bow before him and his enemies lick the dust. (speaking of David)

Do you interpret this as worship?

Psalm 5: 7 But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple. (so God is okay to bowing to the temple of God).

Ruth 2: 10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”

1 Samuel 25: 23 When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed down before David with her face to the ground. (do you think that I should ask my wife to do this?)

1 Kings 1: 16 Bathsheba bowed down, prostrating herself before the king. “What is it you want?” the king asked. (hmmmmmm)

1 Chronicles 21: 21 Then David approached, and when Araunah looked and saw him, he left the threshing floor and bowed down before David with his face to the ground.

Lots of idolatry going on, right?

Yes, I’m very familiar with the Gospel of Matthew.

Judging by my exchanges with various Protestants over the years, you may be an exception.